Agenda item

To provide the Committee with an update on three key elements of the Climate Change Programme:

RESOLVED:

A.    To note the progress on the Climate Action Plan review

B.    To note the progress on the Climate Programme and on funding projects in line with the Single Assurance Framework

C.   To note the update on the launch of the Opportunity Fund bidding round.

The Strategic Planning Manager introduced the report which provided the Committee with an update on three key elements of the Climate Change Programme. Jim Cunningham, Interim Assistant Director Delivery was also in attendance virtually to answer questions.

During discussion the following points were noted:

a)    Aligning considerations of future growth with resource impacts, including climate implications, would be part of the development by the CPCA of a Local Growth Plan. It was noted that a workstream focusing on infrastructure—such as transport, water, energy, and climate—was in progress. The climate implications of any discussions related to the Local Growth Plan were being drawn out, and there was a critical dependency between the Climate Plan refresh and considerations of future growth. It was agreed that updates would be presented at the next committee meeting, including a presentation on the Local Growth Plan and findings from the Climate Action Plan review.

b)    The work funded by Innovate UK and led by the University of Cambridge on locally determined contributions to emissions reductions was referenced. This work was scheduled to be further discussed at the January meeting, alongside challenges identified earlier in the session, such as water and soil issues. A consolidated update would be provided at the next meeting to ensure alignment and comprehensive engagement with Local Growth Plan discussions.

c)    Progress on the Net Zero Villages initiative was discussed, highlighting efforts in East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Expressions of interest for funding were set to open imminently. The Committee proposed an agenda item at a future meeting to summarise progress across all authorities to ensure the timely and effective use of funds.

d)    The Committee engaged in an extensive discussion on waste management, acknowledging cross-boundary challenges with household recycling centres. It was noted that some facilities faced increased pressure due to differing operational hours and policies in neighbouring authorities. Members highlighted concerns about access restrictions and the need for permits to limit usage to local residents.

e)    The Mayor emphasised the importance of a cohesive waste management strategy for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. The absence of a specific fund for waste management within the Climate Action Plan was noted, and the Committee agreed to prioritise this issue, potentially engaging with partners at district and county levels. It was suggested that a representative from the RECAP group be invited to a future meeting to provide insights and recommendations.

f)     An update was provided on the schools retrofit program, funded in part by a government grant and supported by the Combined Authority. Although inflation and other factors had reduced the initial scope from 13 to three schools, the project was progressing. Members inquired about the potential for expanding the program to include additional schools, particularly given successful models in other regions.

g)    It was noted that The Fen Roads Trial (formerly known as Pete Affected Roads Trial) was scheduled for presentation to the Investment Committee on 16th December. A member suggested the report could benefit from a more consistent date structure, as it currently spanned multiple years, from 2024 through to 2029, making it difficult to track timelines for various initiatives. Officers acknowledged that some dates in the report may need to be cross-checked, and efforts would be made to provide clearer and more consistent information in the future.

h)    A master spreadsheet existed that tracked various projects and initiatives and provided up-to-date information.

i)      Communications between the CPCA and local authority communications teams were being strengthened to ensure that project delivery partnerships were more widely recognised and publicised.

j)      It was clarified that while the Opportunity Fund application process was live, larger projects went through an initial assessment and were then considered by the Investment Panel and Investment Committee.

k)    The Director of Place and Connectivity acknowledged that while there was an active communications plan for the Opportunity Fund, there was still work to be done to formalise a wider communications strategy for the climate program and confirmed that the issue was a priority, and more structured communications would be developed moving forward.

l)       The Opportunity Fund was targeted at not-for-profit organisations, excluding businesses, as separate funding opportunities for businesses had been made available in the past. The fund offered capital grants between £50,000 and £500,000, with potential increases for exceptional collaborative bids. The overall fund total was £1 million, with the possibility of requesting additional funding if necessary, based on the strength of the applications.

m)   Local authorities had been fully engaged in the process, and further information, including application forms, guidance, and links to past workshops, were available on the Opportunity Fund’s website.

n)    The Investment Committee would consider whether further funding was required if high-quality projects exceeded the available budget.

o)    It was confirmed that a session to review proposed applications before they were submitted to the Investment Panel would be scheduled tentatively for Friday, February 7th.

p)    While 13 Expressions of Interest had been received so far, there was a potential risk that a large number of eligible applications could overwhelm the process, making it difficult to meet the proposed timelines. The team would do everything possible to ensure the timeline was adhered to, but committee members were made aware of this risk

q)    Councillors raised the issue of the fund’s effectiveness in mobilising local climate action and discussed the potential for increasing the allocation for future rounds if the current fund proved successful. It was suggested that the budget for the fund be revisited during the budget-setting process if needed, with a possible increase to £1.5 million.

r)     It was emphasised that the current fund was a capital fund, with money originally allocated by central government. There was discussion about whether unspent capital could be repurposed for other projects or rolled into future years. The importance of ensuring the funds reached local communities as quickly as possible was reiterated, especially in light of the current demand for climate action.

RESOLVED:

A.    To note the progress on the Climate Action Plan review

B.    To note the progress on the Climate Programme and on funding projects in line with the Single Assurance Framework

C.   To note the update on the launch of the Opportunity Fund bidding round.