Agenda item

Councillor Asima Shaikh, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, and Caroline Wilson, Head of Inclusive Development were present for discussion of this item, and made a presentation to the Committee, copy interleaved

During consideration of the report the following main points were made –

·         Noted Net Zero carbon programme governance model

·         Green Energy ambition – move towards a low carbon, more resource efficient economy that has fewer adverse effects on the environment. Industries need to contribute toward ecological sustainability, need to create a generation of green jobs, and need for innovative ownership structures that promote meaningful employee participation. Residents need to be skilled for these new sectors

·         Journey towards a green economy – Definition, research, scanning, scoping and green economy strategic framework and full action plan

·         Beginning to define the green economy – work underway collaborating on two pieces of work of pan-London work and research with London Recovery Board and Central London Forward. Initiated discussions with UCL to organise an expert roundtable to interrogate emerging research and application to Islington

·         Estimated there could be 6000 low carbon jobs created by 2050 in Islington

·         Scanning for early opportunities green jobs and skills – GLA projections for London indicate that new demand for 3400 and a replacement demand for 10300 over the period 2020-24 in the construction sector

·         Scoping policy – work underway – need to define policy framework to enable SME’s to be green, early stakeholder engagement, coherent policy framework to support local SME’s

·         Scoping partnerships – work underway included in the new Progressive Procurement strategy as part of the social value requirements. Integrated net zero targets into draft Anchor Institutions Framework

·         Next steps – work over next 6 months – strategic  - continue to evolve Green Economy strategic framework, appoint dedicated Green Economy officer, launch responsible sector initiative with construction partners to promote social value, continue to support apprenticeships, initiate business development programme for Chapel Market, Investigate circular economy initiatives, commission eco -friendly delivery service, explore ‘last mile’ delivery hubs, increase awareness of a sharing economy. Develop engagement with commissioners and local supply chains, agree a common ambition across anchor organisations on carbon reductions, develop work with local universities to promote innovation in carbon reduction

·         Noted that the NHS had recently published a net Zero carbon strategy and it was stated that work would be taking place with NHS providers and work is taking place with the Whittington Hospital

·         In response to a question it was stated that additional funding had been obtained to build on the air quality work recently carried out in Archway on green deliveries and that there would now be a focus on the Nags Head. This could also be linked in to low traffic neighbourhoods

·         A Member expressed the view that opportunities of low traffic neighbourhoods to use cargo bikes and e bikes to make deliveries. Councillor Shaikh stated that funding was not available at present but any funding from the GLA would be welcomed

·         It was stated that work was taking place with L.B.Camden on sustainable construction

·         Discussion took place as to charity shops and any influence that could be leveraged and it was stated that discussions could be held with the Executive Member Community Development in this regard

·         Reference was made to the Holloway road site and that there was a need to ensure that the benefits are realised in terms of the green economy, and there is a need to negotiate S106 agreement with Peabody Trust

The Chair thanked Councillor Shaikh and Caroline Wilson for attending