(i)            That the progress being made to develop a climate partnership be noted;

(ii)          That the Council continue to explore with partners the creation of a Torbay Climate Partnership, building on the discussions at the meeting held on 4 June 2021; and

(iii)         That the Cabinet acknowledges the work already undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Emergency Review Panel.  In light of their being no firm proposal arising from the informal meeting of partners on 4 June, the Cabinet requests that the Overview and Scrutiny Board consider acting as the facilitator for this activity until such a time that the climate partnership is in a position to lead. 

Torbay Council cannot deliver carbon neutrality across Torbay on its own. It would need significant system level changes and requires our partners, businesses, communities, and residents to all act. A partnership, with representatives from Torbay’s key organisations, businesses and communities is essential in order to meet Torbay’s carbon neutral 2030 target.

The alternative options are:

Option (i) - do not continue to explore a partnership. This is likely to result in Torbay-wide actions developing on an ad-hoc basis. Due to the uncoordinated nature of this option, there will be no overall plan across Torbay with prioritised actions capable of making significant progress towards 2030. This option is therefore not recommended.

Option (ii) - is to continue to explore options with partners. It will provide Torbay with the best chance of working effectively with partners, communities and residents towards its carbon neutral targets.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 26 July 2021 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Torbay Council declared a Climate Emergency in June 2019. A range of actions have already been taken, including the actions as outlined in the recently approved Initial Carbon Neutral Torbay Action Plan (2021/22). However, tackling the Climate Emergency required everyone to play a part and to work together.   As such a climate partnership or similar was needed to co-design, accelerate and coordinate actions across Torbay’s businesses, communities and with our residents.  The Cabinet considered an update on the work to date to explore a Torbay-wide climate partnership, including an informal meeting held with partners on 4 June 2021.

At the meeting, Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Long seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

None.