Agenda item

To seek approval on the Net Zero Action Plan as per Policy Development Panel (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage Cllr Sneath presented the report and advised that in April 2025, South Holland District Council completed a carbon foot printing exercise to establish a baseline of carbon emissions from the organisation and their sources.

The exercise resulted in the adoption of a Carbon Reduction Plan and a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2040, thereby aligning the Council’s ambitions with those of its partner authorities.

Cllr Sneath advised that following extensive engagement with internal stakeholders, a Net Zero Action Plan was subsequently developed. This plan provided a clear roadmap for reducing carbon emissions in the coming years and driving progress towards the Council’s Net Zero target.

Cllr Sneath explained that the principal areas of focus within the plan were as follows:

•        Fleet – Identifying opportunities to reduce fossil fuel consumption by exploring alternative fuel options.

•           Operational Buildings, Depots and Offices – Introducing efficiency upgrades, subject to feasibility studies (e.g., solar panels), with Priory Road and the South Holland Centre identified as priority sites.

•        Social Housing – Building upon existing work to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock and offering energy-saving advice through tenancy engagement events to help reduce household bills.

•        Waste Management – Improving waste management practices across Council sites and seeking ways to reduce, re-use and recycle more effectively.

•        Green Champions Network – Establishing a network across the Partnership to advocate energy-saving measures both at work and at home.

Cllr Sneath advised that the plan contained numerous proposals; however, it was acknowledged that new opportunities might arise, and that the Council would need to remain agile in order to optimise these as they emerged.

Similarly, certain projects might require changes in approach or discontinuation as technologies evolved.

Cllr Sneath further noted that implementation would be influenced by the availability of capital, anticipated return on investment, and opportunities to secure external funding, many of which were highly competitive. It was noted that approval of the plan did not commit the Council to any financial obligations in respect of individual projects or the plan as a whole.

It was confirmed that relevant Portfolio Holders and elected members would be involved as the plan was implemented, and that officers across the Partnership would play a vital role in delivery. Where possible, external funding sources would be sought, with the plan placing the Council in a stronger position to do so.

The Policy Development Panel had been consulted on the plan and had provided its full support without amendment.

Cllr Barnes expressed disappointment regarding the fleet of new collection vehicles for food waste, noting that they were not electric. He queried whether this could have been achieved.  He also referred to the 2040 target date and asked whether interim dates could be set to enable progress monitoring.

On the matter of single-use plastics, Cllr Barnes questioned the starting point and current expenditure, stating that no clear figures had been provided.

The Assistant Director – Regulatory confirmed that an interim target existed and undertook to provide details. Regarding single-use plastics, he advised that an audit of usage and associated costs across the partnership was underway, and a report would be brought back to PDP in due course.

The Leader noted that some work had been undertaken approximately a year ago and agreed to revisit this following a meeting on the subject. The Assistant Director – Regulatory added that preliminary work had commenced, but auditing spending across the partnership was an ambitious task given the scale of expenditure.

Clarification was sought on the figures around public lighting and the Assistant Director confirmed that further clarification would be provided.

It was confirmed that, irrespective of LGR, work would continue on the current basis, with no changes proposed unless deemed necessary, in order to minimise costs

DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the Net Zero Action Plan in line with the Council’s commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2040.

(Other Options considered)

•      Do nothing

Reasons for decision:

•      To set out a delivery pathway to achieve the Council’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2040 via a pipeline of projects and actions as set out in the Net Zero Action Plan.

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