Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Climate Change Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 5 October 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 Statements
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. Net Zero Strategy – Action Plan Progress Report    
Ro-innleachd Neoini Lom – Aithisg Adhartais Plana-gnìomha

There is circulated Report No CCC/13/23 dated 12 September 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-
i.   note the approval of the Council’s Net Zero Strategy (Appendix 1 of the report);
ii.  note the complexities involved in the development of a cross-service Action Plan;
iii. agree to extend the timeline to allow Members insight into and involvement in the development of a fully costed Action Plan;
iv.  agree Members workshops should be held in November 2023 and January 2024; and
v.   agree the fully costed Action Plan will be developed for consideration in March 2024 by the Climate Change Committee.

4.  Annual Report under Public Bodies Climate Change Duties 2022/23    
Aithisg Bhliadhnail fo Dhleastanasan Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde nam Buidhnean Poblach 2022/23

There is circulated Report No CCC/14/23 dated 21 September 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and comment on Highland Council’s draft return for reporting year 2022/23 under the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties;
ii.  consider and comment on progress against the organisation’s emissions reductions targets;
iii. note that the draft will be updated as more data and information is received from Services across the organisation and on completion of a peer-review with the Scottish Borders Council;
iv.  agree to delegate authority to the Interim Depute Chief Executive to submit the finalised report to the Scottish Government by 30 November 2023 following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Climate Change Committee; and
v.   note a final copy of the report will be presented to the Climate Change Committee on 5 December 2023 for information.

5. Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and Delivery Plan Update        
Ro-innleachd Teas agus Èifeachdas Lùtha Ionadail agus Cunntas às Ùr mu Phlana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated Report No CCC/15/23 dated 21 September 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the contents of the report; and
ii. that the LHEES Strategy will be brought to the Climate Change Committee for consideration in December 2023.  

6. Energy Benchmarking of Property Estate    
A’ Dèanamh Tomhas-measaidh Lùtha air an Oighreachd Sheilbhe

There is circulated Report No CCC/16/23 dated 21 September 2022 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited note:-

i.  the delivered Energy Benchmarking Tool; and
ii. that the tool will initially be available internally to allow officers to test it fully prior to it being made available on the public-facing Council website.

7. Heating Policy for Non-Domestic Estate    
Poileasaidh Teasachaidh airson na Oighreachd Neo-dhachaigheil

There is circulated Report No CCC/17/23 dated 15 September 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the development of the Heating Control Guidance; and
ii. the work carried out to date in shaping the proposed policy.

8. Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme Update     
Alba Lùth Èifeachdach – Cunntas às Ùr Stèidhichte air Sgìre

There is circulated Report No CCC/18/23 dated 13 September 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the contents of the report;
ii.  support the promotion of external funded opportunities across the region; and
iii. note opportunities to expand Energy Company Obligation funding to Council housing stock.