Agenda item

1.       Councillor Haken submitted the following question for the Leader of the Council:

“The Prime Minister announced on the 22/11/2021 that the Government intends to oblige house builders and developers to include electric vehicle charging points at all new built homes from 2022.

Will High Peak Borough Council be insisting that all developers of new homes and buildings within the High Peak install complete and plug in ready charging points at each new property from 2022 and that this is included in all affordable homes being built.”

In response to a supplementary question the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council stated that there were currently 2/3 charge points in place at Glossop Municipal Buildings and that further charging points would be subject to review and funding opportunities.

Response from Councillor Anthony McKeown, Leader of the Council

“The detail of the proposals announced by the Prime Minister has yet to be published. 

However, officers advise it appears that this requirement will be brought in under the Building Regulations.

Through its building regulations service provider Derbyshire Building Control Partnership, the Council will ensure compliance with any new regulations as and when they come into force.

Once the details of the Prime Ministers proposals are published, we will update members on any further changes required.”

2.       Councillor Farrell submitted the following question for the Leader of the Council:

“Carbon emissions from buildings are the highest over which the Council has any direct control. However, we have been told that until the Local Plan is revised the Council cannot enforce energy efficiency standards on developers. Therefore please could we have an update on progress on review of the Local Plan and a timetable for its review and revision.”

Response from Councillor Anthony McKeown, Leader of the Council

"On 1 April 2021, the Executive agreed on the initial stages of the Local Plan review process - this included establishing a Local Plan Steering Group. 

At the group's first meeting, members were advised that the first phase of the review would be to gather evidence to update the evidence base before initial scrutiny of the information by the group and the timetable for this work. This would inform further consideration of the next steps of the process by the Executive by Spring 2022. The timetable for subsequent stages of the review will be set out further at the time. 

Progress is currently being made with key strands of the evidence. This includes the development of guidance to address climate change and a renewable energy study which are both being taken forward in partnership with authorities across Derbyshire through the Vision Derbyshire initiative. The study is due for completion by the end of March 2022."

3.       Councillor Collins submitted the following question for the Leader of the Council:

“Members of the climate change committee were told that High Peak would need to reduce its emissions by 15.8% a year to reach its target of Net Zero by 2030. We are pleased to note that Part 2 of the Plan, going beyond the Council’s own activities, involves communications with local residents. Apart from the use of current media channels, does the Council plan to engage residents face-to-face as the most effective means to encourage their full participation in the changes needed?”

Response from Councillor Anthony McKeown, Leader of the Council

"The Council's Climate Change plan contains a commitment to producing a Communications & Engagement Strategy that includes a focus on climate change education. 

The workshop that Councillors took part in last week started this process, and over the next month or so, there will be sessions with residents and businesses. 

We want to develop and include opportunities for face-to-face engagement going forward, including a repeat of the High Peak Climate Change event that took place in 2020.

A timetable of events will be developed for consideration at the next working group meeting in the new year.

Please note that in-person events will only take place after considering appropriate advice on safety and preventing the spread of Coronavirus in the borough". 

In response to a supplementary question the Leader of the Council explained that the intention was develop and consider a refresh the Council’s wider strategy with regards to engagement including groups that previously formed part of the High Peak Green Network via the Climate Change Working Group.  The Council would also be using a support package offered by UK100.  The refresh would also take into account the Government’s planning White Paper and the Vision Derbyshire initiative.