Agenda item

To consider the final reports of the Blackpool Climate Assembly, and the Youth Climate Assembly.

Mr Scott Butterfield, Strategy, Policy and Research Manager, presented the Climate Emergency update on the outcome of the Climate Assembly. He informed the Committee that the Climate Assembly had produced a report outlining its findings and its final recommendations. These were presented in two parts: recommendations which directly addressed issues around the climate emergency and those which were wider reflections covering issues with a less direct impact. He reported that the Council would be considering in detail the recommendations made to understand how these could contribute to the delivery of a net-zero Council and town. He also noted that although some of the recommendations related to local groups and businesses with Blackpool, the majority were Council specific. While some of the recommendations were similar to work already undertaken by the Council, others needed further consideration on how they could be implemented and where funding to support the additional work could be identified.

The findings and recommendations of the Youth Climate Assembly had also been provided to the Committee for information. Mr Butterfield noted that the recommendations from the youth assembly were similar to those made by the Climate Assembly.

The Committee welcomed the report and the outcome of the Climate Assembly and the Youth Assembly and noted their recommendations. However it was asked if officers believed that the Council could do more to promote Blackpool as a ‘green town’ with a greater diversity of green spaces. Mr Butterfield replied that the Council was adopting an ambitious approach to climate change, including the ambition to be net zero carbon as an organisation by 2030 and the adoption of new strategies, such as those relating to the purchase of electric vehicles. Mr Blackledge also added that the Council had a Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy which encouraged bio-diversity. Blackpool also had a number of diverse park areas and the strategy was being used to further develop these and other parts of Blackpool to improve access to green spaces. He also stated that as a result of this the Council was in a strong position to attract funding for green spaces and climate work.

Members asked if consideration had been given to what simple big impact actions could be undertaken to achieve the zero carbon ambition for Blackpool and what more difficult actions existed. Mr Butterfield responded to advise that modelling had taken place which had identified that the Government’s plans for reduced emissions meant that Lancashire had halved its emissions based on 2007 levels and that actions which emerged from this work would be considered alongside the recommendations of the Climate Assembly to form a “roadmap” to net zero. He added that the biggest issue identified in Blackpool was domestic heating emissions and that work was underway to model possible solutions.

The Vancouver Model of increased town centre living to reduce the need for longer commutes to work and reliance on vehicles was raised by the Committee and it was queried if consideration had been given to implementing a similar model n Blackpool. Mr Butterfield replied that the Council understood that the principles of the “15-20 minute city” could be of benefit to Blackpool, but research would be needed into the core benefits of such a model to support any move to implement one in Blackpool.

The Committee noted that the Climate Assembly had recommended that a low emissions zone be implemented in Blackpool. While the benefits of such a zone were noted, Members asked if the impact on visitors had been considered, highlighting that such a zone could discourage some from coming to Blackpool. In response, Mr Butterfield accepted that this was a bold ambition that would require close consideration of its impact, including how it would be implemented and where it could be located. He also stated that there could be alternative ways of achieving the aim of the recommendation of reducing emissions in the town centre.

Members also raised the issue of commercial waste recycling in the town centre. It was noted that none currently existed and that there had originally been more but these had been removed. Mr Blackledge responded that the Council would be looking at improved commercial waste recycling in the town centre with its wholly-owned waste company, Enveco. He added that new technology such as sensors in bins would allow greater monitoring of levels of waste in bins and lead to more efficient waste collection.