Download declaration of members` interests

SUSTAINABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE
WOODHILL HOUSE, ABERDEEN, 4 FEBRUARY, 2009
Present:
Councillors M A Ford (Chair), G J Clark,
N J Smith and J Webster.
I Davidson,
F McRae,
Apologies:
Councillors M J Raeburn, and W Howatson and J M M Humphrey
(ex officio).
Officers:
Head of Planning Policy and Environment; Industry Sector Manager,
Transportation and Infrastructure; Strategy Manager, Transportation
and Infrastructure; Principal Energy Management Engineer (Emma
Donaldson), Transportation and Infrastructure; Senior Committee
Officer (Allan Bell), Law and Administration; Sustainability Coordinator, Planning and Environmental Services; and Waste
Management Officer (Amanda Ingram), Planning and Environmental
Services.
Also in Attendance: Ian Cowe (Forestry Commission Scotland).
DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
In terms of Standing Order 2 and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, Councillors Clark and
Webster each declared an interest in respect of Item 5.
1. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 3 NOVEMBER, 2008
There was circulated and noted the Minute of Meeting of the Sub-Committee of 3
November, 2008.
2. GRAMPIAN WOOD FUEL ACTIVITY
Members heard a presentation by Ian Cowe, Biomass Development Officer, Forestry
Commission Scotland, on wood fuel activity in Grampian, after which a number of points
were discussed, including the difference in cost between varying types of wood fuel systems,
the start-up capital costs associated with wood fuel and the impact of wood fuels on carbon
footprints.
3. BIKES ON BUSES
With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Sub-Committee of 3 November, 2008 (Item
2), when officers had been requested to report on a number of issues, including the
provision of cycle storage facilities on buses and trains, there was circulated a report dated
24 December, 2008, by the Directors of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Planning and
Environmental Services (1) which outlined investigations made to date into potential
initiatives to encourage the carriage of cycles on buses and coaches, (2) which highlighted
options available for the storage of cycles on buses, (3) which explained that a number of
projects were currently in operation to address this matter and (4) to which was appended a
detailed investigation into issues surrounding the carriage of bikes on buses.
After consideration, the Sub-Committee:(1)
noted investigatory work which had been carried out to date into the accommodation
of bikes on buses and coaches,
(2)
noted members’ observations in respect of the role of bus drivers in conveying
cycles and the provision of bike bags on buses,
(3)
instructed officers to make contact with NESTRANS, the Cairngorm National Park
Authority and the service operator with a view to the provision and operation of a
cycle trailer on the Ballater to Grantown Heather Hopper Service, for a trial period,
and
(4)
requested officers to investigate the carriage of bikes on buses travelling along the
Deeside corridor and on other routes where public transport might be suited for this
purpose.
4. CARBON REDUCTION COMMITMENT
Consideration was given to a circulated report dated 16 December, 2008, by the Directors of
Planning and Environmental Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, which (1)
explained that the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) would be introduced as part of the
UK’s Climate Change Bill, aimed at providing a financial incentive for reducing carbon
dioxide emissions from energy use and to help meet emissions reduction targets and (2)
advised that participants in the CRC would be responsible for calculating emissions,
purchasing allowances for emissions, monitoring and reporting annual energy consumption,
surrendering sufficient carbon allowances to cover stated emissions and maintaining an
evidence pack to provide an audit trail.
After discussion, the Committee instructed officers to submit a report to the next meeting
1) detailing the implications of the CRC and 2) incorporating information on costs associated
with the scheme, meeting the Carbon Trust standard and smart metering.
5. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
With reference to the Minutes of Meetings of (1) the Sub-Committee of (a) 5 November,
2007 (Item 2), when officers had been instructed to submit a full implementation report on
matters highlighted by the Scrutiny and Audit Committee in its report on Aberdeenshire
Council’s response to climate change and (b) 28 May, 2007 (Item 4), and (2) the Policy and
Resources Committee of 12 June, 2008 (Item 5, Page 479), where approval had been given
to the final draft of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, there was circulated a report
dated 17 December, 2008, by the Directors of Transportation and Infrastructure, and
Planning and Environmental Services, which (1) contained a review of the Action Plan,
including proposed actions for the financial year 2008/2009 and highlighting progress made
to date in respect of those actions, (2) explained the background to the development of the
Plan and (3) highlighted the Council’s carbon dioxide emissions in respect of a number of its
activities during the past three financial years.
Thereafter, the Sub-Committee:(1)
noted members’ observations in respect of measuring the effectiveness of actions
within the Plan, “district heating systems”, heating efficiency at Viewmount and the
installation of solar panels for hot water at caravan sites,
(2)
otherwise noted progress made against established targets contained within the
Action Plan,
(3)
instructed officers to devise a “traffic light” system for measuring progress on issues
within the Plan and to enhance the presentation of update information to future
meetings of the Sub-Committee, and
(4)
requested officers to submit a report to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on
the establishment of a salary sacrifice scheme and on ways of expediting it.
6. CLIMATE CHANGE (SCOTLAND) BILL – CALL FOR VIEWS
With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 17 April,
2008 (Item 6, Page 2267), when approval had been given to the Council’s final submission
in response to a consultation paper on the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill, there was
circulated and noted a report dated 15 January, 2009, by the Directors of Planning and
Environmental Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, which (1) provided details on
the content of the Bill and (2) sought responses to questions arising from the Bill, in respect
of emissions reduction targets, as specified within an appendix to the report.
Thereafter, the Sub-Committee:(1)
approved responses to the request for views on the Bill, as detailed within the
appendix to the report, subject to a number of proposed amendments made by
members,
(2)
agreed that the revised responses should be submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee on behalf of the Council,
and
(3)
instructed officers to submit a report to the meeting of the Policy and Resources
Committee on 5 March, 2009, in order that the submission of these responses to the
Scottish Government might be homologated.
7. “EARTH HOUR”, 28 MARCH, 2009
On consideration of a circulated report dated 29 December, 2008, by the Directors of
Planning and Environmental Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, which
explained the background to the proposal by the World Wildlife Fund to stage an “Earth
Hour” on 28 March, 2009, aimed at encouraging people around the world to turn off their
lights for one hour to demonstrate to decision-makers their concern about climate change,
the Sub-Committee:(1)
agreed that the Council should participate in the event,
(2)
instructed officers to identify appropriate actions, and
(3)
requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting on the outcome of the
event.
8. FAIRTRADE IN ABERDEENSHIRE
With reference to the Minutes of Meetings of (1) the Policy and Resources Committee of 18
September, 2003 (Item 14, Page 717) when approval had been given to the introduction of
non-perishable Fairtrade products into schools and principal Council establishments,
(2) Formartine Area Committee of 28 February, 2006 (Item 6), when members had agreed to
support Fairtrade and to make Fairtrade products available at its offices and (3) Garioch
Area Committee of 2 December, 2008 (Item 15), when members had agreed to support
Fairtrade and the provision of Fairtrade products at meetings and, where appropriate,
schools, there was circulated a report dated 23 December, 2008, by the Directors of
Planning and Environmental Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, which
explained the status of Fairtrade within the Council at present and recommended promoting
wider availability of Fairtrade products.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee:(1)
agreed to support existing Fairtrade initiatives within the Council and within
Aberdeenshire,
(2)
agreed to support measures to encourage greater use of Fairtrade products within
the Council and the wider community, and
(3)
agreed that the Council should encourage efforts made towards achieving Fairtrade
Zone status.
9. MANAGEMENT OF COUNCIL WASTE – PHASE 1
On consideration of a circulated report by the Directors of Planning and Environmental
Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure, which updated members on actions and
resources agreed across the Council in respect of managing and monitoring waste,
increasing internal recycling, staff training and recycling of cartridges, the Sub-Committee
noted activities planned to encourage more efficient management of waste across the
Council during 2009.