Agenda and minutes

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All members are required to disclose at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter, any disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest in any item(s) being considered at this meeting.

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RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2020 be signed as a true and correct record, with one spelling error corrected.

(NOTE: the Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on xxxxx .The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes)

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(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on xxxxxx)

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Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety asking the Board to approve the Climate Change Community Engagement Framework.

The Head of Corporate Policy and Community safety advised that the framework had been updated since the last Climate Change Board meeting, and suggested that for the next meeting a paper laying out the operational procedures that underpin the framework be brought which would lay out the possible consultations.

Members were reassured that all aspects of GDPR would be covered by privacy notices and controls in place. The officer also explained that safeguarding processes would also be in place in regard to the activities for the younger participants, either by Gosport Borough Councils safeguarding officer or by the contractors carrying out the activities. Schools councils and the existing Summer Passport mechanism would be used to facilitate the activities with young people.

Members were advised that costed proposals would be brought before the Board for a decisions on activity levels to ensure the limited budget was kept under control.

Members wished to congratulate the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety and her team on the comprehensive framework which reflected the previous discussions. They were pleased that all members of society would have an equal opportunity to put forward ideas and suggestions and contribute to overcoming detrimental aspects of the environment.

Members were concerned about the wording for the definition of the Citizens Assembly, and were keen that it ran in parallel and partnership to the Climate Change Board, able to challenge and inform but not dictate.

The Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety suggested bringing forward a paper to the next Board meeting which would define the costs involved in the Citizens Assembly including resourcing costs. This paper could also include best practise examples for the Terms of Reference for discussion.

Members were reminded that at the present time all the Board were being asked to do is approve the framework.

Members were advised that as yet, the size of the Assembly is yet to be determined, but would probably include the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Climate Change Board, an Officer of the Council and key stakeholders. This may be organisations which can act as an umbrella for other organisations. Examples of best practise would be brought back to the Board for decision.

Members were keen that the framework was seen to actually achieve something.

Members wished to acknowledge the strategic content of the paper, and how the strategies are all encompassing.

Members were advised that the make-up of the Assembly is still a work in progress, and suggestions on where the consultations should start would be welcomed.

The Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety agreed to carry out some research into other Citizens Assemblies to help inform the Boards decisions.

RESOLVED: That the Climate Change Community Engagement Framework was approved.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety asking the Board to consider and approve a recommendation that the Council signs the Climate Coalition Declaration for a Healthy Greener Fairer Tomorrow (thereafter referred to as “The Declaration”.)

Members advised that they felt the Declaration as it stood could be construed as signing up to what appeared to be a lobbying group. On the information available, Members were unclear how the Declaration would help the people of Gosport.

A Member was concerned that not every member of the Board had read the 10 Point Plan that the Climate Coalition has put forward, and taken on board the financial implications.

The Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety advised that the report had been brought as a result of a request at the last Board meeting.

A Member reminded the Board that they had asked this report to be brought on behalf of the Gosport Fair Trade Action group, and a representative of that organisation would be willing to attend the next meeting to make a presentation.

After further discussion, Councillor Cully proposed to defer this motion to a later meeting when a presentation could be made to the Board be made to further inform their decision.

 Councillor Raffaelli seconded.

RESOLVED:  That this item be deferred to a later meeting.

Consideration as given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community safety setting out a range of possible strategies that could be adopted to increase biodiversity, once grounds, parks and verges maintenance is brought in house, so that the Climate Change Board can consider these and feed comments to the Community Board.

The Chairman of the Community Board wished to explain to Members that as part of the development of a strategy for green spaces and verges carried out by The Head of Streetscene, for once they were under the control of the Council, a plan to start wild flowering where suitable taking in to account residents requirements was being developed. The Board report is very much a joint approach to develop a way ahead. In future planned works could be shared with members and residents in advance.

A Member was concerned that a reduction in grass cutting would cause fly tipping.

The Head of Streetscene reassured Members that they would not be reducing the number of times the grass would be cut, but would cut thoughtfully to introduce meadow areas whilst keeping a clean edge in areas such as cycle tracks.

Members asked for clarification on how the Council would work with the many private land owners. The Head of Streetscene hoped that the Council could give help and guidance to other land owners and encourage them to adopt the same policy.

Members were very pleased that the Council was going to proactively encourage bee corridors, and hoped that conservation areas would be increased and sustainable plants would be used.

Members were keen that the longer grass didn’t attract dog fouling.

Members wished for hedges to be introduced to hide metal railings.

Members hoped that the community could be involved, in particular school children to get engagement and buy in. Gosport in Bloom could be used to engage with gardeners.

Members wanted to ensure that the correct plants were used, in the right area, taking into account weather conditions, and trying to include plants that had a longer life.

RESOLVED: That the comments of the Climate Change Board are noted for Community Board.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety summarising the approaches taken to support use of electric vehicles

A Member asked if Solar Power could be incorporated into the charging points and was advised that opportunities for installing solar panels were being investigated.

Members asked for clarification of the use of Thorngate Way car park.

Members were concerned that parking revenue would be lost and were advised that the two charging points in Walpole Park do require an appropriate ticket. The charging points are still owned and run by SSE so figures on usage are not readily available, but could be obtained from Hampshire County Council. Other points are in privately owned supermarkets and petrol stations, so again figures are not available.

The Head of Streetscene agreed that take up of electric vehicles in Gosport might be lower than other areas due to its good cycle lanes, but routes and ferry usage. It might also be that future working from home might reduce the need for vehicles of any type.

The Head of Streetscene advised that in many cases the charging equipment is installed free of charge or at reduced rates, but couldn’t see the provision of the electricity being free of charge.

Then Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety advised that the Council would have to be mindful of other technologies and responsive and adaptable, and aware of how national drivers affect local need.

A member wished to point out that the drive to introduce electric cars and the reduction of availability of petrol cars may have a detrimental effect on the poor being able to afford a vehicle. The Head of Streetscene agreed there would possibly be a period where costs would increase before the availability of the technology brought down prices.

Members wished for the Council to be a good example in introducing alternative fuels and options for travel.

The Head of Streetscene advised that it was hoped that the Council fleet could be replaced by electrically run vehicles when the lease became renewable, as they are basic cars used by Streetscene. Research and testing would have to be carried out on vehicles in the DSO fleet to see which vehicles could be replaced and which require a specification that doesn’t currently exist in electric vehicles. Walk behind sweepers are all now electric powered, making them quieter, less polluting and more environmentally friendly. Hedge cutters and grounds maintenance are already featuring battery power.

RESOLVED: The comments were noted.

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