Minute of Meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee of 31 May 2023 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 23 August 2023
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 23 August 2023 and its agenda
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee held in the Council Chambers on 31 May 2023 at 2.00pm. Present: Councillors R Watters, L Barrett, H Anderson, D Cuthbert, A Forbes, D Illingworth, N Khogali, G Laing, T McEwan, G Stewart and J Welch; Mr J Ferguson, Miss E McGregor and Mr M Mathers. In Attendance: B Renton, Executive Director (Communities), M Butterworth, N Moran, M Lee, R Stewart, G Bissett, L Cassidy, D Grant, A Clegg, J Dick and S Merone (all Communities); A Taylor, A Brown and R Ramsay (all Corporate and Democratic Services). Councillor R Watters, Convener, Presiding. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor R Watters welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no Declarations of Interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OF 15 FEBRUARY 2023 The minute of meeting of Climate Change and Sustainability Committee of 15 February 2023 was submitted and approved as correct record subject to the following amendments being made: (i) Councillor Forbes be added to the list of those present. (ii) In Item 4 – where it references writing to MP’s, this be amended to say both local MPs and MSPs. 4. ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND – STRATEGY & EXPANSION PLAN There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Development (23/165) (1) noting the work undertaken as part of the Scottish Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF); (2) detailing the preferred future operational model and associated tariff that will allow for the current and planned Council infrastructure to be self-sufficient, operating on a more commercial basis; and (3) highlighting the key next steps including market engagement, procurement and continued working with partner authorities through the Regional EV Forum. Resolved: (i) It be agreed that officers should commence formal market engagement, and continue to engage with partner authorities, the Scottish Futures Trust and
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Transport Scotland to secure funding to enable the delivery of the required infrastructure. (ii) The work undertaken on a needs-based assessment of future Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and the development of a strategy and expansion plan in accordance with the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) requirements be noted. (iii) The option to move to a tariff plus approach be approved. (iv) A full report on the EVIF project be provided to a future meeting of the Climate Change & Sustainability Committee. 5. FLOOD STUDIES - DUNKELD & PERTH (FEUS ROAD & CAVENDISH AVENUE/GRAY STREET) There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services (23/166) setting out the outcome of the Council’s flood studies in two separate locations – Dunkeld and Perth (Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street). Resolved: (i) The completion of the Dunkeld Flood Study and the Perth Flood Study (for surface water flooding in the vicinity of Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street), as required by the Tay Flood Risk Management Plan and Local Flood Risk Management Plan, be noted. (ii) It be noted that separate public engagement events have been held to disseminate the findings of each flood study. (iii) The recommendations of each study, including: • the proposals for a flood protection scheme in Dunkeld; • to stop work on surface water flood schemes for Feus Road and Cavendish Avenue/Gray Street in Perth as they would provide limited protection and are not economically viable. be approved. (iv) It be noted that the Council will continue to manage flood risk in those areas of Perth by implementing the actions set out in the published Tay Flood Risk Management Plan and Local Flood Risk Management Plan. (v) It be noted that details of the recommended flood protection scheme for Dunkeld will be submitted to SEPA for national prioritisation and inclusion in the Cycle 3 (2027-2033) Tay Flood Risk Management Plan, to be published in December 2027, and Tay Local Flood Risk Management Plan, due for publication in 2028. 6. MANAGING GRASSED AREAS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY There was submitted a joint report by the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services and the Head of Planning and Development (23/167) outlining the results of grassland maintenance trials on 42 selected sites, across Perth and Kinross, which ran during 2021 and 2022.
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Resolved: (i) The creation of a long-term plan and commitment to grassland management, following the success of the trials in 2021/22 and 2022/23, which would involve a significant increase in the number of “No Mow” and “Cut and Lift” sites across Perth and Kinross, be approved. (ii) It be agreed that the proposed plan be developed in consultation with community groups and residents and be subject to approval by Committee at a future meeting. 7. COMMUNITIES SERVICE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2022/23 There was submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities) (23/168) presenting the Service Annual Performance Report 2022/23 for Communities and detailing progress against targets and improvement actions over the last year against the 2022/23 Service Business Management Improvement Plan. Resolved: The Communities Service Annual Performance Report 2022/23, as detailed in Appendix 1 to Report 23/168, specifically the areas which fall within the remit of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, be approved.