Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Climate Change Committee will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at 10.30 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Legal and Governance 

Business

1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithris Fhollaiseachd

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Carbon Emissions Land Tax Review
Ath-sgrùdadh Cìs Fearainn Sgaoilidhean Carboin

There is circulated Report No CCC/8/23 dated 17 April 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to recommend to the full Council:-

i.   to support in principle the development of a draft framework for a Carbon Emissions Land Tax;
ii.  to support for the Call on the Scottish Government to consider the potential for a Carbon Emissions Land Tax in the Land Reform Bill; and
iii. to future support in planned public consultation through engagement with key stakeholders, landowners and communities within the Highland Region.

4. Net Zero Strategy
Ro-innleachd Neoini Lom

There is circulated Report No CCC/9 /23 dated 21 April 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   recommend to the full Council the strategy for approval;
ii.  note that, should the Climate Change Committee recommend the strategy for approval, this will be presented to Council on 29 June 2023 for ratification; and
iii. note a fully costed action plan will be developed for consideration by the end of December 2023.

5. Draft Communications and Engagement Strategy
Dreachd Ro-innleachd Conaltraidh is Com-pàirteachais

There is circulated Report No CCC/10/23 dated 2 May 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree that officers proceed with the delivery of the first phase of communications and engagement, in accordance with the approach outlined within this report; and
ii. note a detailed internal Communications & Engagement Strategy and Action Plan will be developed for consideration at a future Climate Change Committe.

6. Training and Literacy
Trèanadh agus Litearras

There is circulated Report No CCC/11/23 dated 28 April 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to note, subject of the approval of the Net Zero Strategy:-

i.  the need for climate change training to be mandatory across all levels of the Council, from officers to Elected Members, to achieve our climate change ambitions; and
ii. that Carbon Literacy Training should be delivered to Members, the Executive Leadership Team, and the Senior Leadership Team in the first instance, to allow for assessment of training requirements for other staff.

7. Inverness West Bank and Inverness Castle Heat Network Feasibility Studies
Sgrùdaidhean Iomchaidheachd Lìonra Teasa Bruach an Iar Inbhir Nis agus Caisteal Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CCC/12/23 dated 28 April 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report.