Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive and note the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

A presentation will be provided that considers the strategic priorities and themes of the Housing Carbon Reduction Plan and the HRA Business Plan.

Ms Butler provided a presentation on the Housing Carbon Reduction Approach (2023-2030), that looks to work towards achieving net zero carbon emissions across by 2050.  During the presentation it was noted that there would need to be a significant amount of capital investment in the council housing stock.  The presentation slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

During consideration of the item, it was noted that:

• Independent Living Scheme premises did not qualify for funding through Wave 1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, it was hoped that they would be eligible in future waves.
• The Asset Management Strategy 2022-27 looked to bring the housing stock up to a minimum standard of EPC rating C by 2030, and to achieve net zero in use by 2050.  This seemed to conflict with the Council’s pledge, made in 2019, to make its estate and operations carbon net zero by 2030. However, at that time, only the Independent Living stock was factored into out pathway plan to carbon reduction. 
• The Council’s Highview development would be the first to be carbon net zero ready; developments at Biggins Wood and Ship Street were also being considered.
• Heat stress was a key consideration when insulating properties.  It was important to keep properties cool and ventilated in Summer, and warm in Winter.
• There were a number of new technologies that could replace gas central heating in the future, such as hydrogen, or air and ground source heat pumps. All of which are being considered as part of the Approach.
• The Committee would receive updates about new and emerging technologies that could provide council managed homes with energy, including the results, when they became available, of a preliminary study that is assessing whether the use of ground source heat pumps for schemes in the Marshes is feasible.

A presentation will be provided on the public engagement work emerging from the Carbon Innovation Lab, including ‘TEDx style’ events and talks.

Ms Fatokun provided the Committee with a presentation about the Folkestone and Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum.  She advised that the Forum had emerged from the Carbon Innovation Lab.  The presentation slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

During consideration of the item, it was noted:

·         The Sustainable Futures Forum (SSF) would have a series of TEDx style talks and host a main event in Spring 2023.  The intention was to highlight projects, ideas and initiatives within the district that promoted a sustainable future.

·         The SSF was an example of how the Council could affect positive change within the community.

·         It was hoped that there would be 100 people attending the SFF event, and up to ten speakers presenting their ideas.  The would be a publicity drive to raise awareness of the event.

A presentation will be provided on the current consultations from Water Resources South East and water companies on their draft Water Resources Management Plans.

Mr Tofts provided Members with a presentation about three sets of consultations that had opened shortly before Christmas.  The presentation provided an overview of the Water Resources South East consultation, the Affinity Water consultation and the South East Water consultation.  He noted that the close for responses was 20 Feb 2023.  The presentation slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

During consideration of the item, the following points were noted:

·         Affinity Water had advised that the aquifers had been replenished, therefore they did not expect a drought next year.

·         Desalination plants required a lot of energy to work, Australia had a number that did not run as the cost to run them was prohibitively high.  In the plans desalination plants were being relied upon too much.

·         The identification and repair of leaks should be the priority for water companies.

·         Mr Tofts would provide a response to the consultation specifically noting the Committee’s concerns about reliance on desalination plants.  Committee Members were also encouraged to respond to the consultation themselves.

A presentation will be provided that gives an overview of the Council’s 2021 Carbon Action Plan and that outlines the work currently being undertaken by Carbon Descent to review the plan.  

Ms Fatokun provided the committee with a presentation that gave an overview of the Carbon Action Plan.  During the presentation she noted that 33 Actions had been identified as part of the Council’s pledge in 2019 to reach net zero by 2030.  The action plan was now being updated in light of the expertise and knowledge that had been gained since 2019.  The presentation slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

During consideration of the item, the following points were noted:

• The Council’s consultants, Carbon Decent, would attend a future meeting of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Working Group to present their findings.
• Going forward there would be more co-ordination Housing Department colleagues.
• A lot of work had been carried out with different Council departments to gather data and information.  Information was needed to demonstrate how a proposed action offered value for money in reducing CO2 usage.
• It would be good to promote what the Council was doing as it could lead by example.
• Kent County Council’s Kent Flood Risk Management Committee would be receiving an update on Climate Change from the Met Office on 21 March 2023.  The meeting would be available to view on YouTube if Members wish to view it.