Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet member for Environment and Transport seeking approval for a Low Carbon City strategy and a delivery plan.

The Southampton Low Carbon City Strategy outlines the City Council's vision for a low carbon city based around 8 key pillars of activity;

• Green Economy;
• Sustainable Energy;
• Flood Risk Management;
• Biodiversity;
• Carbon Reduction;
• Sustainable Procurement;
• Sustainable Travel and Transport; and
• Waste Management.

This plan forms part of the policy framework and replaces the Climate Change Strategy The Delivery Plan sets out how the City Council will deliver outcomes against these priorities over the next 3 years.

In accordance with S.2 Local Government Act 2000 and having had regard to the provisions of the Community Strategy (City of Southampton Strategy):

(i)  To approve the proposed Low Carbon City Strategy, as set out in Appendix 2, to provide a framework from which to base future decisions and policies.

(ii)  To endorse the proposed Low Carbon City Delivery Plan, as set out in Appendix 3, to ensure that the City Council and its identified strategic partners deliver against key actions in support of the Strategy objectives and in particular to ensure, where appropriate, that incentives to maximise Feed in Tariff benefits are in place by the end of the current financial year. 

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Sustainability to make any minor changes to the Strategy and Delivery Plan following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Sustainability following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to take all necessary steps to consult upon and approve updates to the Delivery Plan every 3 years.

1. To give a clear management framework and policy direction for the council and to provide a basis for consistent monitoring and reporting of strategic climate change related actions.
2. To have an agreed vision and objectives to ensure we are in a position to meet our statutory obligations and to maximise any opportunities that the development of the low carbon economy may present us with. 

To proceed with an ad hoc approach to climate change activities across the Council relying on one small team to initiate and implement changes to current practice.  This would result in missed opportunities to improve performance in a number of key areas and a lack of consistency in policy direction and service delivery.