The Mayor, councillors and officers had the chance to say thank you to the Climate Change Commission for their support in a recent workshop at the Civic Suite. The Commission has helped shape key council climate strategies and provided a critical independent cross-sector perspective.
The packed schedule included a welcome from Councillor Mackiewicz, reflecting on the progress made so far in implementing the Net Zero Action Plan, just over one year since its adoption. The Chief Executive of Sustainability West Midlands (SWM), Anna Bright, delivered a presentation reflecting on the SWM 2022 Benchmarking Report. The Council scored particularly well on its natural environment work, rated as the joint best local authority in the West Midlands. More information on the report can be found here.
Peter Rayson, Chair of the Commission, spoke about the future of the Commission’s role and how it can provide meaningful support going forwards with the implementation of the Net Zero Action Plan. The workshop also included an interactive exercise where attendees arranged various climate goals, including reducing building and transport associated emissions, based on urgency and importance.
To conclude, everyone in attendance had a chance to meet the Mayor, Councillor Ken Meeson. Before the informal conversations began, the Mayor took the opportunity to thank the group’s commitment over the past two years and reiterate the ambition to replant areas of the Arden Forest. The Council’s Planting Our Future team remain on course to meet their target of planting 250,000 trees over a period of ten years, with 51,000 planted in the first two years of the programme.
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Portfolio Holder of Climate Change, Planning and Housing at Solihull Council, said:
“As portfolio holder for climate change, I’m grateful for the Commission's role in helping to ensure our Net Zero Action Plan stands up to the necessary scrutiny and rigour. I’m certain their feedback helped contribute towards our climate change plans being independently rated as one of the best in the UK earlier this year. Going forwards the Leader of the Council and I look forward to working with them constructively once again in evaluating the best approach to meeting our ambitious climate goals.”
Peter Rayson, Chair of the Solihull Climate Change Commission, said:
“The workshop held at the Civic Suite was a welcome opportunity to meet directly with the decision makers at Solihull Council. Building on the constructive feedback we shared with the Council during the formation of the borough’s Net Zero Action Plan, we’re conscious now is the time for action. Looking ahead, we’ll once again offer our cross-sector independent support as the actions begin to be implemented. The real challenge is only just beginning but having a strong collaborative relationship with the Council stands the borough in good stead to reach its ambitious targets.”
To learn more about what the Council is doing to combat climate change and create a more sustainable borough, listen to the ‘Courts on Climate Change’ podcast, available on the Council website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If you’d like to keep up to date with all the climate change and sustainability news from the Council, you can sign up to the Your Future Solihull newsletter.