Decision details

Cabinet received a report of the Sustainability Strategy Task Group, which set out its recommendations following its review.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Hofman, who chaired the task group, and the scrutiny members for their work on this important subject.  He invited Councillor Hofman to present the report and recommendations.

Councillor Hofman commented that he had had the pleasure of chairing the Task Group and working along side Councillor Stotesbury and officers.  He explained the background to the climate crisis and the impact on global warming.  In response to the climate crisis Watford Borough Council declared a climate emergency.  The current Sustainability Strategy was due to expire in March 2023.  It had been decided to create a new strategy and include the input of non-executive members through a scrutiny task group.  

Councillor Hofman advised that the Task Group met on three occasions, with the final meeting reviewing the high level outcomes of the consultation that had been carried out. The Task Group was able to provide input into this vital strategy.  There would be challenges to meet the targets but it required everyone to work together.

Councillor Stotesbury thanked Councillor Hofman and the Task Group for their work.  It had been well chaired and had been a useful forum for frank debate.  Some of the Task Group’s recommendations had already been included in the new strategy.  He looked forward in continuing to work with Overview and Scrutiny in reviewing the strategy’s delivery plan.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approves the task group’s recommendations as set out below. 

1.      To increase the target for the number of households who commit to making one change to live more sustainably to be more challenging; potentially to 50% of households.

2.      Any off-setting required to meet the targets should be within Watford as much as possible.

3.      The delivery plan for the Sustainability Strategy should be brought to Overview and Scrutiny Committee for review and discussion.

4.      The Sustainability Strategy’s delivery plan and accompanying documentation should include a risk register.

5.      The updates on progress against net zero carbon targets should be published with and without the impacts of aviation and shipping.

6.      To strengthen the consideration of the sustainability impacts in council decision-making processes, including having regard to the targets in the strategy.

7.      A communications plan and behavioural change campaign will be required to ensure residents and businesses engage with the targets and feel part of the solution.