Issue - meetings

To consider the update of progress against the Council’s internal target for carbon neutrality and approve the acceptance of a Trees for Climate grant administered by The Mersey Forest to enable a 33ha tree planting scheme in the Borough.

The Committee considered the report on the progress against the Council’s internal targets for carbon neutrality and on the Council’s partnership with the Mersey Forest.

It was reported that the Council had achieved a 15.3% reduction in its omissions and had offset almost 52% of its emissions through insetting projects within the Borough.  Solar panels had been Solar panels had been installed on car parks, and a solar farm was operational, and the Council had started electrifying its fleet, with 22 electric vans and 11 electric sweepers.

The Council had been a partner in the Mersey Forest since 2020 and had been awarded a Trees for Climate grant of £570,719.50 for woodland creation on the Batherton Estate which would enable a 33ha tree planting scheme.

The Committee asked whether the Council could afford electric vehicles as they were more expensive and if the electric vans could complete a full day’s work without the need for recharging.  In response it was stated that electric vehicles were generally more expensive initially but over the lifetime of the vehicle it usually worked out to be cheaper to run. In relation to productivity for electric vehicles part of the business case for each vehicle was looking at the number of miles they could do in a day and also providing driver training as how they were driven could have an effect on the battery life of the vehicle. 

Concern was raised about using productive farmland for tree planting.  It was stated that no tenant farm would be affected. 

It was asked if there were any plans to work with town and parish councils to plant trees.  In response it was stated that the Council did want to work with them to identify land that could be used for tree planting but there were challenges around funding and if the land was next to the highway. 

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1               note the progress made towards the Council’s carbon neutral target and the Wider Borough Carbon Action Plan 2025-30.

2               accept the Trees for Climate grant of £570,719.50 for woodland creation on the Batherton Estate.

3        delegate authority to the Director of Growth and Enterprise, in consultation with the Governance, Compliance and Monitoring Officer, and the S151 Officer, to take all necessary steps to enter into legal agreements with The Mersey Forest Partnership.