Agenda item

To review the Council’s proposals for the climate emergency, including the draft Climate Emergency Plan.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Resources, introduced a report on the draft Brent Climate Emergency Strategy 2021-2030. The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         In response to a question from the Chair, it was noted that the Council worked with developers to ensure new buildings were climate friendly. While new buildings were typically built to be climate friendly, it was recognised that more needed to be done to encourage cleaner construction. Ensuring existing buildings were climate friendly was seen as a harder issue to solve, although work was underway to facilitate this.

·         In response to a question from the Committee regarding ground source heat pumps, it was noted that there were constraints in using them in tower blocks. The Council was looking at test pilots to assess their usage in tower blocks in the near future.

·         The Committee was assured the Brent Climate Emergency Strategy would be output and outcome focused. Once the strategy was finalised, the Council would look at how these would be assessed. It was looking to engage with its partners and the private sector to ensure its outcomes were deliverable and measurable.

·         It was noted that the strategy would be funded largely by capital expenditure and grant funding. Most of its funding would be met with existing resources, although extra funding would be made available should it be needed.

·         In response to a question from the Committee, it was noted that the financing of the strategy would go through several stages of scrutiny. It would be scrutinised as part of the overall budget in the coming weeks, and the Committee was assured it would be brought back to a future meeting once the strategy was agreed.

·         It was noted that the Council was utilising a number of alternative energy sources including solar panels with private home owners, air source heat pumps through the Green Homes grant fund and energy generated from fish oil.

·         The Council was keen to continue supporting those residents in the borough that were in fuel poverty. For example, it was in the process of conducting home energy visits for those households identified as vulnerable. This work was being supported through central government grant funding. 

·         In response to a question regarding pension divestment, it was noted that the market was very different to what it had been previously and that there were now more opportunities for low carbon investment. The Pension Fund Sub–Committee agreed to invest £50 million in the London CIV Infrastructure Fund in 2019, which would ensure 25% of the fund would be invested in renewable energy projects. It also agreed to invest £28 million in a low carbon equity fund in the same year, and was committed to exploring further investment options in this area. However, it was difficult to give a precise timescale for divestment.

·         It was also noted that the Pension Fund Sub–Committee recognised that investing in companies that follow environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors produced long-term sustainable gains. The Sub-Committee recently agreed to use the BlackRock Equity Tracker which follows ESG factors.

·         The Committee was assured that the Council would continue to work with its partners to increase the level of recycling in blocks of flats. This work had been underway before the pandemic and would soon be restarted. It was recognised that the level was currently well below what it would ideally be.

·         In response to a question regarding food waste, it was recognised that more needed to be done to engage with residents as to the benefits of food recycling. The Council would also continue to promote national campaigns. 

Resolved

That the following areas of improvement be noted:

1.    That the Brent Climate Emergency Strategy includes clear outcomes that are measurable and deliverable.

2.    To consider the ways in which the Council can encourage cleaner construction and ensure its properties were energy efficient.

3.    To consider how the Council can engage with residents to encourage food recycling.

4.    To consider how the Council can engage with residents in blocks of flats to encourage recycling.

5.    To consider how the Council could allocate funding for the delivery of the Brent Climate Emergency Strategy.

6.    To consider devising a timetable for pension carbon divestment.

The Committee made the following information requests:

1.    Whether climate friendly measures would be considered as part of i4B and FWH Asset Management Strategy.

2.    Data on the potential loss of parking income resulting from any changes to parking policy.