Agenda item

Members of the public in their discussions of the 6 themes within the Draft Strategy, made the following comments and suggestions listed below:


Residential buildings, Commercial & Industrial buildings and Infrastructure

·         It is essential that fire safety issues and insulation be linked especially during the building phase of any future developments.

·         The 2025 target set by the Council to raise the standard for future homes is not ambitious and should be brought closer.

·         With regards to private housing and conservation concerns about windows/insulation has not been thoroughly addressed.

·         Further consultation on issues regarding HMO’s will be required as questions still exist on how ‘green’ are the homes in the borough. Council homes still have in place outdated heating systems and needs to be considered.

·         With regards to repairs, Council should consider Repair hubs/cafes. Need to encourage intergenerational and inter community opportunities.

·         The idea of delivery hubs centralised and distribute goods via e- assist bikes is welcomed.  

Transport and Travel

·         Council needs to reduce parking within the borough and this will deter car ownership and encourage more cycling or walking.

·         Concerns still exist with vehicle idling around schools which has health implications for the children.

·         Council needs to consider addressing vehicles driving through the borough especially as it is a smaller borough relatively to its neighbouring boroughs.

·         Council needs to put in place measures which will result in behaviour changes of drivers. Council has to make it inconvenient to drive.

·         Studies show that 40% of vehicles in the borough are commercial type of vehicles and TFL has a fair share of vehicle movement.

·         Enforcement has to be enhanced all over the borough as present measures still result in displacement into neighbouring streets

·         Low car ownership has to be encouraged.

·         Although school streets are welcomed, it still does not make Islington roads safe

Sustainable Energy Generation and Supply

·         Although it has taken the Council quite a long time to have a coordinated policy in this area, this is welcomed.

·         More details on this issue in the strategy will need to be spelt out, for example its impact, its costs and the timeline so that the Council would be able to achieve its Carbon Zero target.

·         More communication will be required for residents especially as most residents are not familiar with the issues relating to carbon zero and the urgency around climate emergency.

·         Council would need to allocate adequate resources in order to achieve its zero carbon target and importantly must be willing to learn from other boroughs.

·         Questions were asked about if Council had undertaken an audit of its  commercial buildings and whether the council has considered ways of compelling businesses to address their building energy performance

·         Carbon footprint for individuals, homes and businesses should be recorded and monitored if Council intends to meet its target.

Affordable Energy and Fuel Poverty

·         The Council will need to expand its SHINE service around the borough and beyond as it addresses energy concerns of residents and poverty.

·         The Council needs to encourage its residents to install Solar PV/Sustainable energy.

·         Council should introduce compulsory tax such as diesel surcharge which acts as a disincentive to car useage.

·         Schemes such as Solar Together need to be publicised more in the borough.

·         Council should consider how to mitigate high costs incurred for example changing lights, loft insulation and windows, possibly offer grants or subsidies

The Green Economy & Planning

·         The message on achieving a net zero economy is not clear with small businesses. More campaigns and encouragement will be required.

·         Concerns that the current planning pipeline of approved applications would not meet the Council’s target.

·         The Council need to be more proactive in lobbying central government with legislation so that issues such as retrofitting will be possible

·         The local plan needs strengthening especially where there are challenges in conservation areas

·         Concerns  about embedded carbon in buildings needs to be considered.

·         With it’s large housing stock, it is important that there is a joined up approach by the various departments

Finance and Engaging with Residents & Businesses

·         The Council needs to commence on phase 2 with this priority. Concerns still exist with the strategy especially as it lacks structure for example no timetable, no information on return on investment or its impact.

·         A big challenge will be getting local people to play their part, nothing in the strategy about young people or BAME communities.

·         Deciding on priorities for funding, is there a mechanism of engagement

·         Need to have hubs such as climate hubs, sustainability fairs to talk and act.

·         Question still exist with regards to financial institutions that the Council presently engages with, or whether the Council should consider having its own bank.

·         It is important that the Council have a changing perception about local government finance.

·         Council should consider green investment, an example of Warrington council which has invested in solar parks as part of its treasury management.

·         Council should consider engaging large businesses especially in the south of the borough following on from its Fairness Commission and its recommendations.

Natural Environment , Waste Reduction, Recycling & Carbon Offsetting

·         Issues regarding mixed disposal for estate still needs to be considered. The Council should consider splitting residential waste and recycling .

·         There should be an annual target for waste and recycling

·         Questions were posed on whether it is possible to have free food waste collections for small businesses.

·         The Council will need to engage with business/supermarkets/online delivery firms to collect waste .Possibility of engaging with clothing companies to encourage clothes recycling and lobbying for deposit payment on bottles.

·         Council will need to provide more incentives to encourage recycling.

·         To expand the range of what is recycable, more communication is required in this area.

·         It was suggested that the Council should incorporate some of its previous outcomes from its research and best practise in its strategy.

·         The forum will be held annually so that Environment and Regeneration Committee would be able to focus on tackling climate emergency and in addition it will be an opportunity for residents and organisations to share their views on the Council’s response to the climate emergency.

The Chair thanked members of the public for their participation and feedback provided, informing the meeting that the draft strategy will be out for public consultation by the end of the month prior to its adoption later in the year.