Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Carbon Initiatives Programme 2023/24 - 2024/25: Participation of the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Climate Programme. Release No 3
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0833 DDI: 01895 250833 CMD No: 958 To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS' SERVICES c.c. All Members of th e Residents' Services Select Committee c.c. Jo Allen – Place Directorate c.c. Perry Scott – Corporate Director of Place Date: 13 November 2023 Non-Key Decision request Form D CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (October 2023) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Carbon Initiatives Programme 2023/24 to 2024/25: Participation of the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Climate Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Dear Cabinet Members, Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such, the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Tuesday 21 November 2023 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied, and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Rebecca Reid Democratic Services Apprentice Title of Report: CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (October 2023) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Carbon Initiatives Programme 2023/24 to 2024/25: Participation of the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Climate Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ……………………………………………………… Date……………………. Cabinet Member for Finance / Cabinet Member for Residents' Services Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 1 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (October 2023) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Carbon Initiatives Programme 2023/24 to 2024/25: Participation of the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Climate Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Residents' Services Officer Contact Jo Allen - Place Directorate Papers with report Appendix A - Capital release request for approval HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the release of capital funds. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council of: Live in a sustainable borough that is carbon neutral This report supports our commitments to residents of: A Green and Sustainable Borough Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £ 80k from the 20 23/24 - 2024/25 Carbon Initiatives capital budget for p articipation in the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) for the pan- London climate programme. Relevant Select Committee Residents' Services Select Committee. Relevant Ward(s) N/A RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member for Financ e and the Cabinet Member for Residents Services agree to the following capital release request of £80 k from the Carbon Initiatives programme 2023/24 - 2024/25 capital budget for participation in the London Environment Directors Network for the pan-London climate programme (Appendix A). Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 2 Part I - Public Reasons for recommendation The London Environment Directors’ Network ( LEDNet) is a membership association across London boroughs in which Hillingdon Officers participate. It provides a forum for Councils to share learning and best practice and develop thinking on emerging policy. Representatives of London Councils have met with LEDNet to present the next phase of the pan-London climate programme. Alternative options considered There is the option to not participate in the programme. The London Councils’ climate programme was launched in 2019 following LEDNet and TEC’s joint statement on the climate emergency. Each of the themes are led by London’s boroughs, and each brings together a range of partners to collaborate on some of our city’s biggest climate challenges. To not participate is not advised as that would limit scope to release additional efficiencies. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 27 boroughs have agreed to invest and support the next phase of the climate programme. The investment from boroughs allows London Councils and the lead boroughs to begin to accelerate the delivery of the action plans. This is an important opportunity for London. While every borough is leading climate action in their area, they also recognize that, if we are to achieve our goals, we must be able to act more quickly and at scale through collaboration. Local government has a critical role to play in leading and coordinating climate action, but we must also invest in our capacity and capability to do so. The next phase of the programme looks to unlock potential collaborations to: • Secure 100% renewable energy for London’s public sector, and support London’s wider switch to renewables. • Secure low carbon buildings and infrastructure via borough planning. • Reduce London’s consumption emissions by two thirds by 2030, focusing on food, textiles, electronics and plastics. • Double London’s green economy by 2030 by developing low carbon sectors and greening the broader economy. • Create a resilient and green London by developing leadership, capacity, and strategic partnerships on climate adaptation (including heat risk, water scarcity, flooding, natural capital and the ecological emergency) Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 3 Part I - Public For each participating council, there are proposed financial contributions towards the programme over the next two years of £80k, with further funding contributions from London Councils of £230k annually, which will cover the cost for the delivery team across the six programmes detailed above. Further funding streams from other London strategic partners such as 3Ci are also being assessed. Pan- London Climate Action Cost plan £000s External fees 80 Internal fees 0 Project Contingency 0 Total 80 Each collaboration will also have a commissioning budget to fund projects or use as match funding to enable them to attract grants or other forms of investment. It is proposed that Hillingdon will fund the programme via the Carbon Initiatives Budget, with the option to recharge back to Section 106 once full Carbon / energy savings are understood. Officers are confident that Hillingdon will benefit by participation in the programmes as these pillars align well with our overarching goals detailed within the Climate Action Plan. Reporting, oversight and communications Each theme steering group will be responsible for overseeing their project delivery, making day - to-day decisions on the use of resources and ensuring value for money. The role of the Climate Oversight Group will expand to include overseeing the allocation of resources, monitoring, and supporting overall delivery as well as disseminating progress reports back into London’s professional networks and the boroughs and engaging them in the programme’s development. At a political level, Leaders’ Committee continues to provide leadership and oversight for the climate programme in recognition of the breadth of policy areas affected by the work, and the overall importance of this programme to London’s Shared Ambitions. We will therefore continue to report to Leaders’ Committee on a twice-yearly basis alongside TEC. As the programme moves into delivery, there is an opportunity to strengthen our communications to engage a wider audience in our climate work. This will be important in supporting greater knowledge transfer across London, engaging new partners in our work, and influencing policy. London Counc ils are therefore committing more of their resources to this work , including improving the programme’s online presence, stakeholder engagement and advocacy work. Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 4 Part I - Public Financial Implications (2023/24 to 2024/25 Budget £24,855k, Previously Released £ 19,962k, Capital Release Requested £80k) – Appendix A The 2023/24 to 2024/25 Capital Programme, approved by Cabinet and Council in February 2022, includes a capital budget for the Carbon Initiative Programme of £24,750k. In June 2023, Cabinet approved the rephasing of £105k from 2022/23 into 2023/24, which gives a revised budget of £24,855k. Previously, £19,962k has been released, of which £420k relates to the Park Lodge Solar Farm Project and £19,542k relates to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund Project. This report is seeking the release of £80k for the participation in the London Environment Directors Network to enable the Council to be part of the pan-London climate programme delivery, detailed in the main body of the report. Once the delivery of the pan-London climate programme begins, officers will be able to identify Carbon Savings, at this point an application will be submitted to request an allocation from the s.106 Carbon Saving Contributions, which , if successful , will reduce the call on Council Resources. The remaining £4,813k for the Carbon Initiative Programme capital budget will be subject to the capital release procedure. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities The priorities identified for the next two years focus on pan-London projects that: • Help boroughs make faster progress on climate action through developing shared solutions that can be adopted and implemented in multiple boroughs. • Address skills, capacity and coordination gaps that can help London to deliver at scale. • Strengthen London’s research, data and intelligence to enable more strategic action on climate and enable us to track progress. • Develop new delivery models and partnerships that can attract investment and bring additional capacity, expertise, and innovative solutions to London’s climate challenges. Consultation carried out or required N/A Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 5 Part I - Public CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance have reviewed this report and concur with the Financial Implications above, noting that the recommended action to agree a capital release of £80k for the participation in the London Environment Directors Network to enable the Council to be part of the pan-London climate programme delivery, detailed in the main body of the report will be funded from the approved 2023/24 - 2024/25 Carbon Initiative capital budget. Legal Legal Services confirm that the Council is empowered to carry out this function pursuant to section 1 of the Localism Act 2011. Thus, there are no legal impediments to the capital release being authorised, although any contract that is entered into must comply with the Council's Procurement and Contract Standing Orders. Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance to Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approved budget. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. TITLE OF APPENDICES Appendix A - Capital release request for approval Capital Release Report 13 November 2023 Page 6 Part I - Public APPENDIX A - Capital release request for approval Carbon Initiative Programme 2023/24 - 2024/25: Participation of the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Location Project / Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000s Approve Hold More Information Required Borough Wide London Environment Directors Network Climate Programme Participation of the LEDNet Programme to enable delivery of the pan-London programme 80 Total seeking release 80 Previously released 19,962 Budget 24,855 Remaining budget 4,813
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 23 November 2023 Page 1
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE
PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by
Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon:
Title of decision
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (October 2023)
DEPARTMENT: Place
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Carbon Initiatives
Programme 2023/24 to 2024/25: Participation of the London
Environment Directors Network (LEDNet) Climate Programme
RELEASE NO: 3
Reference No. 958
Date of decision Thursday 23 November 2023
Call-in expiry date Thursday 30 November 2023
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents' Services Select Committee
Relevant Wards N/A
Decision made
Cabinet Members
making the decision
Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance
Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Residents'
Services
Decision Approved
That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet
Member for Residents Services agreed to the following
capital release request of £80k from the Carbon Initiatives
programme 2023/24 - 2024/25 capital budget for
participation in the London Environment Directors
Network for the pan-London climate programme
(Appendix A).
Reason for decision The London Environment Directors’ Network (LEDNet) is a
membership association across London boroughs in which
Hillingdon Officers participate. It provides a forum for Councils
to share learning and best practice and develop thinking on
emerging policy. Representatives of London Councils have met
with LEDNet to present the next phase of the pan- London
climate programme.
Alternative options
considered and
rejected
There is the option to not participate in the programme. The
London Councils’ climate programme was launched in 2019
following LEDNet and TEC’s joint statement on the climate
emergency. Each of the themes are led by London’s boroughs,
and each brings together a range of partners to collaborate on
some of our city’s biggest climate challenges. To not participate
Executive Decision Notice – 23 November 2023 Page 2
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
is not advised as that would limit scope to release additional
efficiencies.
Classification Part I – Public
Link to associated
report
Report Link
Relevant Officer
contacts &
Directorate
Jo Allen – Place Directorate
Any interest declared
by the Cabinet
Member(s) /
dispensation granted
N/A
Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in
[Internal Use only]
When can this
decision be
implemented by
officers?
Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice
only from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:
5pm on Thursday 30 November 2023
However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a
valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise
the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold.
Councillor scrutiny
call-in of this
decision
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice
may request to call -in this decision. The request must be before
the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.
Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call -in App (link below) on
their devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be
sought from Democratic Services if required:
Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure)
Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The
Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and
Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.
This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive
decision, including links to the reports where applicable.
If you would like more information on this decision, please contact
Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email:
democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk.
Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including
Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group
Secretariats and the Public. Copies are also placed on the
Council’s website.
Democratic Services
Executive Decision Notice – 23 November 2023 Page 3
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
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