Issue - meetings

To present for approval the Decarbonisation Strategy incorporating changes arising as a consequence of the consultation

7.1          Members received the report and the presentation from the Principal Environment and Sustainability Officer who highlighted the key changes to the Strategy following the comments received in response to the consultation on the draft Strategy.

7.2          Members were supportive of the report and the updated Strategy with the Chair also supportive of the actions described within the Strategy, some of which are already under way. Members continued to voice concern about the high amount car usage.

7.3          Mr. Steve Curl raised the issue of carbon in Cumbria with 50% of all carbon emissions in the area created by visitors.  He supported the Strategy and requested the help of TfN to help Cumbria hit its own net-zero target date of 2037.

7.4          Members were keen to emphasise the importance of this work and believe that the Strategy demonstrates the valuable work undertaken by TfN. In particular, Cllr Edwards welcomed the Strategy as demonstration of TfN’s purpose added value –  ambitious and collegiate.  Cllr Edwards requested that the Department should take this report as inspiration as evidence when looking at the funding for TfN.

7.5          The Chair requested a summary version of the strategy be made available to the public.  The Principal Environment and Sustainability Officer confirmed that an ‘at a glance’ version of the Strategy would be produced and made available.

Resolved:

1)   That the Board endorses the updates to the strategy following the public consultation;

2)   That the Board approves the Decarbonisation Strategy;

3)   That regular update reports be brought back to the Board.

For Members to consider the report of the Principal Environmental and Sustainability Officer.

9.1             Members received the report and the presentation on the decarbonisation strategy from the Principal Environmental and Sustainability Officer who then highlighted the key points.

9.2          Cllr Fenton raised the issue of the Strategy’s ambition.

The Principal Environmental and Sustainability Officer explained that the consultation was an open process and that is reflected in the wide range of responses recieved, cinludand therefore The 20% who were not supportive which was evenly split between those who felt it should go faster versus those opposed to intervening to combat climate change.  He further highlighted that middle ground views are often less well represented in consultations.

9.3          Cllr Chaytor raised the issue of decarbonisation in rural areas and the need to make sure that public transport services are not reduced.

9.4           The Chair raised the issue of governance and specifically how progress will be measured.

The Principal Environmental and Sustainability Officer explained that there is a monitoring and evaluation framework in development which will be adopted next year which will include a set of metrics to track progress.  He further explained that there would be an annual light version stocktake that will also take place.

9.5          The Committee welcomed the Strategy. The Chair explained that whilst the car remains cheaper than public transport and whilst there are not cost effective, convenient and accessible modes of alternative transport in place the strategy will be difficult to enable.  It is likely that this will only come about if subsidies for public transport are put in place.  The Committee also commented on the need for further work to take place on decarbonisation in rural areas due to the differing challenges faced. 

The Committee also noted the need to review the relative price of travel choices and that Transport related social exclusion also needs to be avoided.

9.6          The Principal Environmental and Sustainability Officer explained that relative price to travel choices has been added to the strategy and highlighted that the true cost of a car journey is more expensive than people realised.  On the rural versus city issue he explained that this needs to be one of the key focuses moving forward. 

Resolved:

1)   That the Committee notes the content of the report in relation to the outcomes of the public consultation and updates made to the Strategy.

2)   That the Committee approves TfN’s Decarbonisation Strategy.