The Spelthorne Climate Change Working Group will consist of 8 members but will be open for all councillors to attend.
1. To implement the climate change strategy and action plan agreed in 2022and updated in 2024 to deliver our target of net zero by 2030.
2. To develop and implement the ‘Biodiversity Duty’ strategy and subsequent reports to improve biodiversity across the borough by 1 April 2027
3. To make recommendations to Environment and Sustainability Committee on
areas for improvement which can impact on ‘climate change’ and ‘nature recovery’ and to identify, and make recommendations on, developing new environmental policies where required which will help move the Council and Borough towards net zero and improve biodiversity in accordance with our ‘Biodiversity Duty’ strategy across the Borough by 1st April 2027.
4. To report to Environment and Sustainability Committee appropriate action
plans and targets to deliver the Council’s 2030 target of net zero
emissions.
5. To Report to Environment and Sustainability Committee appropriate strategies, action plans and targets to improve biodiversity across the Borough by 1st April 2027.
6. To monitor progress with delivering the action plans and achieving
targets and report on progress to Environment and Sustainability Committee on a quarterly basis.
7. To consider government and wider authorities’ consultation on documents
relating to ‘climate change’ and ‘nature recovery’ and assist Environment and Sustainability Committee in formulating its response.
8. For members of the Working Group to act as ‘climate change’ and ‘nature recovery’ champions by leading by example and advocating for action across the Spelthorne Borough.
9. To identify areas for further research and invite presentations, workshops
and discussions with experts as appropriate to help inform the Council’s
policies and action plans.
10. The Climate Change Working Group will consider the best way of engaging
with key partners and work closely with the Government, the Environment
Agency, Surrey County Council, local businesses, residents and other partners
across the county and Borough to meet the target of making the Borough
carbon neutral by 2030.
11. To consider and formulate a communication strategy to promote the
Council’s activities on ‘climate change’ and ‘nature recovery’.
1. To be a cross-party Working Group of 8 members who are expected to attend regularly and provide continuity.
2. The Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee or appointee will chair the Working Group.
3. The Working Group will appoint its own vice chairman from within its membership.
4. The meetings of the Working Group will be internal and confidential to the Council. All the meetings will be open to all members of the Council to attend.
5. The Working Group, can co-opt an external member to the Working Group, as required, to deal with, specialist areas. However, it remains the decision of the full Working Group as to what targets are recommended.
6. The Working Group will meet before Environment and Sustainability Committee but more frequently depending on workload and actions required.
7. The Working Group should aim to deliver a consensual view to Environment and Sustainability Committee. Where this is not possible it should aim to report fairly on the divergent views of the Working Group. Voting is not considered appropriate or necessary. Proactive and innovative suggestions are encouraged.
8. Liaison and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders is welcomed. The Working Group should seek a wide body of opinion to inform its considerations including exchanging views on pertinent matters and receiving suggestions as to how climate change can be addressed in areas over which Spelthorne Borough Council has limited control or significant influence.