Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Ross Melton.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To note the terms of reference of the Climate Change and Ecology Policy and Accountability Committee.

Members noted the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

This item gives a comprehensive overview of the council’s Climate and Ecology Strategy, progress across the main themes, and priorities for 2022-23. The strategy sets out the council’s approach to delivering its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the borough by 2030.

The Chair remarked that the Labour Administration in Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) had declared a climate emergency and set out to achieve the ambitious target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In the Administration’s commitment to work with residents, it had launched a resident-led Climate and Ecological Emergency Commission. The Chair thanked the residents who had generously given their time.

The Chair advised the meeting that the Climate Emergency Unit was the cross-departmental team set up to develop and implement a strategy and action plan for reaching net zero by 2030.  She had asked officers to put together presentation of how the manifesto pledges were being translated and actioned into the Council business plan.

At the invitation of the Chair, Hinesh Mehta (Head of Climate and Ecology) gave an overview of the Council’s Climate and Ecology Strategy 2030 which set out the Council’s approach to delivering its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the borough by 2030. It was shaped by the work of the resident-led Climate and Ecological Emergency Commission (CEEC) who had worked closely with the Council’s Climate Unit composing 10 cross-departmental officer working groups, throughout 2020.

Jim Cunningham (Climate Change Strategy and Policy Lead) presented the H&F 2030 Climate and Ecology Strategy.

Following the presentation, Councillor Jose Afonso sought information on the initial cost projection of achieving the target of having zero carbon impact under the 2030 vision for homes, buildings and energy.  Hinesh Mehta referred to a high-level cost analysis done about two years ago when the estimate was about £1 to £2 billion to decarbonise the borough, including £250 million to decarbonise Council assets. The Council had approved a £600 million housing capital programme which would target energy efficiency throughout, and of which £106 million was specifically earmarked for retrofit works.  He explained that the costs would depend on the extent of activity undertaken, and detailed cost and benefit analysis would be needed at project planning stages.

On Councillor Afonso’s further enquiry about appropriate investment, Hinesh Mehta said the Council was developing business cases for areas of significant investment, including the retrofit of its housing stock and corporate properties. Responding to the concern of Morag Carmichael (CEEC member) whether the properties under the Housing Associations (HAs) would be included, Hinesh Mehta said that while some HAs had been advanced in pursuing measures to achieve their own net zero targets, the Council had started engaging those which were behind. He undertook to find out more details about the situation in Notting Hill HA.

ACTION: Hinesh Mehta

Noting that the 2030 vision for travel required fewer vehicles on the borough’s roads and a greater proportion of electric vehicles, Councillor Afonso asked if there was a plan for this or if it relied on people changing their habits. Hinesh Mehta advised that there were plans to increase the number of electrical charging points across the borough. Coupled with national legislation disbanding the use of diesel vehicles by 2030, the Council would also discourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note the scheduled dates of future meetings:

·       29 November 2022

·       31 January 2023

·       28 March 2023

Members noted the dates of future meetings as follow:

• 29 November 2022
• 31 January 2023
• 28 March 2023