The report presented an updated version of the draft Environment Strategy previously presented at the March 2022 Environment Enforcement & Housing Committee, at which it was agreed to approve the strategy for consultation, and to consider feedback and alter the strategy if required.

Key changes to the original document consist of including additional pages

summarising the impact climate change can have at a national and local level; the replacement of ‘Actions’ with ‘Aims’ in the main body of the strategy; and the development of a clearer action plan as an appendix to the strategy. The action plan, going forward, would form the basis any annual reporting on the progress of the strategy.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Gelderbloem SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

1. To Approve the Environment Strategy as appended to the report.

2. To approve that the current temporary post of the Climate & Sustainability Officer is made a permanent position.

Reasons for Recommendation

The proposed Environment Strategy sets out the how Brentwood Borough Council can achieve its declared aims of carbon neutral within its own activity by 2040 and borough wide by 2050.