Issue - meetings

Mr Aaron Winter (BDO LLP) presented the report detailing the outcome of the recent Climate Change and Sustainability audit. This audit had attained an opinion of substantial on design opinion and design effectiveness. Members were advised that three observations had been raised but overall, this was an area of well-designed and fully operational control.

Councillor W Stamp declared an interest in this report as she was an Essex County Councillor.

A question was raised regarding the risks to the Council due to it not being aligned with the Essex County Council (ECC) pledge to reach net zero by 2050. In response, the Head of Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action explained how ECC had several cross-county strategies and the carbon reductions generated by these measures would not be implemented in the Maldon District until the date ECC had detailed. By being out of step from the coordinated approach could lead to an increase in the Council’s challenges to effectively deliver changes. Members were advised that Officers were looking into this, and it would be brought back when the Climate Strategy was brought before Members.

Members asked that their congratulations be passed to Officers and the team for getting substantial assurance in relation to this area of work.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation set out the Officers’ report which was duly agreed.

RESOLVED that the Committee considered, commented, and approved the Climate Change and Sustainability report at Agenda Item 7e.