Issue - meetings

This report recommends the continuation of a councillor Working Group for 2026/27 to oversee the implementation of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It proposes terms of reference for the group to be approved.

Following Consideration, it was resolved to:

(1)       Agree the continuation of the Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ESWG).

(2)       Approve the terms of reference for the Working Group as set out in Appendix 1.

(3)       Agree to appoint the following Members to the Working Group as set out below:

·            The Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee (to preside as Chair of the working group) – Councillor Alan Williamson

·            2 Residents’ Association Group members of the Environment Committee – Councillor Arthur Abdulin and Councillor Steve Bridger

·            1 Labour Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Rob Geleit

·            1 Independents Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Julie Morris

(4)       To authorise the Vice Chair of the Environment Committee (Chair of ESWG) and in their absence the Chair of the Environment Committee to invite councillors, stakeholders and officers to the Environment and Sustainability Working Group as required.

The Committee received a report that recommended the continuation of a Councillor Working Group for 2026/27 to oversee the implementation of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It also proposed terms of reference for the group to be approved.

The following matters were considered:

a)             Substitutes: A Member raised an issue regarding not allowing substitutes on the working group, especially as most of the meetings would be held during working hours and proposed they be allowed. Another Member agreed with this and stated it was also an issue for the Car Parking Working Group which was the next item on the agenda. The Vice Chair explained that he would be looking to hold the Environment Working Group meetings early evening and online. 

b)             Legal representation: A Member asked why there was no legal representative at committee to which the Deputy Chief Executive explained that legal did not attend committees as a standard and there was no foreseen reason for legal to be in attendance for this meeting.  The Member stated he would take this issue up with the Monitoring Officer following the meeting.

Following Consideration, it was resolved to:

(1)  Agree the continuation of the Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ESWG). (unanimous)

(2)  Approve the terms of reference for the Working Group as set out in Appendix 1. (4 for and 3 against)

(3)  Agree to appoint the following Members to the Working Group as set out below: (unanimous)

·       The Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee (to preside as Chair of the working group) – Councillor Alan Williamson

·       2 Residents’ Association Group members of the Environment Committee – Councillor Arthur Abdulin and Councillor Steve Bridger

·       1 Labour Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Rob Geleit

·       1 Independents Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Julie Morris

(4)  To authorise the Vice Chair of the Environment Committee (Chair of ESWG) and in their absence the Chair of the Environment Committee to invite councillors, stakeholders and officers to the Environment and Sustainability Working Group as required. (5 for and 2 against)