Issue - meetings

The Panel is invited to receive and comment on the Climate Quarter 4 presentation.

Executive Councillor: L Davenport-Ray

By means of a report and presentation by the Climate Co-ordinator (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), the Climate Report Quarter 4 was presented to the Panel.

It was clarified to the Panel that whilst financial contributions had previously been made to the Great Fen project, none were made in the 2024/25 financial year.

It was observed that research suggested that honeybee hives should be spaced 1km apart to increase biodiversity and noted that there were hives within Hinchingbrooke Country Park. The Officer undertook to investigate this matter further and to liaise with the hive owners should dispersal across the site be required.

The Panel heard that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority had previously had funding available for Net Zero projects however following the change in the Mayor, funding for such projects was not expected for the current year. However the team were constantly investigating alternative funding opportunities and would continue to do so and to bring awareness to them as appropriate.

The Panel expressed their enthusiasm towards the projects both in progress and completed, however it was requested that future updates include a monetary saving as well as the environmental benefits. Overall, the Panel agreed that it was great to see an evidence led approach with collaborative working across the chamber for the benefit of the district and its residents.