Agenda item

To present the outline Climate Communications Plan for 2024, including work undertaken to date.

Mr Scott Butterfield, Strategy and Climate Lead presented the 2024 Climate Communications Plan, which provided an overview of the climate communications work underway and planned for 2024. He provided an update on the action outlined in the plan, highlighting that the opening of the Eco-Hub had been moved to April 2024, that the Climate Adaption Plan could be ready for public engagement and consultation earlier than indicated but that determination of this had been placed on hold due to the local elections taking place in May 2024. With respect to the Electric Vehicle Strategy, Mr Butterfield informed Members that the scheduled dates for communications would be dependent on the clarification of funding details. Mr Butterfield noted that the Council’s bid for £1.7m had been successful, however this was subject to delivery of a post-approval action plan being provided by the Government, and as this had not been received at the time of the meeting, the Council would further consider its contents before taking any further steps.

It was also explained that further discussions regarding the Communications Plan were taking place with it being intended that a more detailed plan would be developed. This would in part be informed by ongoing conversations with partners in Lancashire about a joint climate communications approach. Mr Butterfield added that in addition to the overall Council Communications Plan, major projects would have their own dedicated plans detailing the communications work to be undertaken.

The Committee discussed if the delay in the receipt of funding for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy would impact on the Council’s ability to install EV chargers in Blackpool. Mr Butterfield explained that a contract had already been awarded, whereby a provider would be responsible for the charging points in Council car parks before consideration was given to their installation at other private sector locations. The consultation on EV charging with consideration of utilising chargers at locations such as schools by the public was raised, with Mr Butterfield explaining that consultation would be undertaken with a wide variety of partners and would seek to ensure that Blackpool had a joined up approach to offering support for EVs. He added that in respect of concerns raised regarding overall capacity within Blackpool during the summer season, that the available data from existing chargers had shown that they were not being used to full capacity and therefore there was not expected to be a shortage for those visiting Blackpool in the summer.

The Committee noted that a number of actions within the plan had blank boxes under the “Next Actions” column. Mr Butterfield advised that this was as a result of there being no follow-up need in respect of those climate projects.

A potential future action was identified in respect of work with landlords to ensure that their properties were eco-friendly. The “Cosy-Homes for Lancashire” project was highlighted as an ongoing scheme to engage with landlords in this respect and the Committee asked that an item on the project be added for consideration for inclusion on its work programme for 2024-2025.

The Committee agreed:

1.                   That the update be noted;

2.                   That the “Cosy homes for Lancashire” project be added as an item to be considered for the 2024-2025 Committee Work Programme.

Ms Staley and Ms Hewlett left the meeting following this item