Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals.

1)  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2)  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3)  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

There were no exempt items.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable or other interests.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence received.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) that seeks the approval of Members to the Committee’s Annual Report to Full Council.

The Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) submitted a report that introduced the Committee’s Annual Report to Full Council, requiring approval prior to submission in January 2021. The Chief Officer provided an overview of the contents of report and asked Members for any comments or suggested amendments.

The following matters were raised:

·  Members requested more emphasis to be made within the report of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with specific recognition of the significant changes to the way people work and live as a result, as well as the impact on the Committee’s meeting schedule.

·  It was noted that it may be appropriate for Councillor Buckley to provide a signature to the Chair’s foreword, as Shadow Chair of the Committee.

·  Members requested that references to the Open Forum be strengthened, to include a comprehensive list of all attendees and their submissions, along with details of the responses given, as an appendix to the report.

·  Whilst recognising that the report is intended to provide update to Full Council, Members noted that a wider communications exercise is required to inform the public of the work of the Committee, and the evidence led approach to achieving the various national and regional targets for air quality and carbon reduction.

The Chief Officer advised that the amended report would be circulated to Members for final comments, ahead of submission to Full Council.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendments requested as set out above, the report be approved for submission to Full Council on 13^th January 2021.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 18^th January 2021 at 10.00 a.m.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 18th January 2021 at 10.00 a.m.