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It made six recommendations, including more precise data in future reports, and asked for a written update on heritage trails and green energy work.
1.1 Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting. 1.2 Apologies were received from Councillors Stuart Ashley, Nick Byrne, Liam Cowles, Norma Parrish, Caroline Price, Nick Simons, Alan Slade, Colette Thomas & Nathan Yeowell.
2.1 Councillors Steve Evans & Lucy Williams declared an interest as Bagley Court, which was mentioned later in the meeting, was inside their ward. He also declared an interest as he was a Governor at Woodland School which had been discussed in the report.
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record.
4.1 Members noted the action sheet.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Steven Evans: Interest
Bagley Court, mentioned later in the meeting, is inside his ward.
Lucy Williams: Interest
Bagley Court, mentioned later in the meeting, is inside her ward.
Steven Evans: Interest on Torfaen Council's Climate & Nature Emergency Annual Performance Report 2024/2025 / Adroddiad Perfformiad Blynyddol Argyfwng Hinsawdd a Natur Cyngor Torfaen 2024/2025
He is a governor of Woodland School, which was discussed in the report.
5 Climate & Nature Emergency Annual Performance Report 2024/2025 5.1 The EM introduced the report and the JDN&E then gave a detailed overview of the report and appendices to Members. Councillor David Thomas left the meeting during the introductions. 5.2 Members questioned and officers responses were as follows: • The E&CRM explained that emissions under the direct control of the Council had reduced by around 40% for buildings and 30-35% for fleet and business travel since 2019/20. Current net emissions were approximately 4,000 tonnes after offsetting. He confirmed that full net zero was unrealistic, but the aim was to balance emissions with sequestration. The JDN&E added that the Council had achieved about 30% progress on emissions it could control and was working to increase that, though indirect emissions remained challenging. • The E&CRM confirmed that electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure had expanded and funding had been secured for more charging points. Hydrogen was expected to play a role in future, but technology and infrastructure were not yet mature. Electric vehicles would remain important due to home charging potential. • The E&CRM explained that while the Council could not dictate supplier behaviour, it influenced through procurement guidance, flexible working policies, EV charging at workplaces, and bike-to-work schemes. He stressed ongoing efforts to nudge behaviour. JP added that procurement processes had been strengthened with carbon-related questions and tools, including AI-based suggestions for specifications. He noted challenges with reporting accuracy and described work on improved tools and collaboration with Welsh Government. The JDN&E highlighted the importance of engaging communities and supporting local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce supply chain emissions. • The JDN&E acknowledged the issue around school travel emissions and outlined initiatives such as walking buses, enforcement of safe parking, and community engagement to reduce car use. The E&CRM added that reducing school travel emissions aligned with health objectives and Marmot ambitions. • The HoSH&T explained that bids for Safe Routes in Communities funding had been unsuccessful due to casualty data requirements but confirmed that new bids were being prepared for submission through the Corporate Joint Committee. The JDN&E added that Welsh Government was considering merging grants for simplicity and that officers challenged feedback to improve future success. • The JDN&E stated that engagement with schools on active travel varied and officers were assisting schools to improve participation. He stressed that bids without school engagement were likely to fail. The E&CRM confirmed that while public car park chargers were sufficient for now, on-street charging remained a gap. Trials in other authorities were ongoing, and Torfaen would adopt successful approaches when funding allowed. • The E&CRM reported that the Shared Prosperity Fund had supported schemes within 15 community centres and that match funding had been secured from various sources. Future funding was uncertain, but discussions were ongoing. The DCE added that the Council was working with Torfaen Voluntary Alliance (TVA) [GT1] to identify additional funding streams for community groups. • In response to a question on sustaining net zero beyond 2030, the JDN&E noted that there were risks from legislative changes and emerging technologies but stressed that phased investment and resilience measures were in place to maintain progress. The EM emphasised the need for sustained behaviour change and advocacy to counter climate change scepticism. The E&CRM highlighted disruptive technologies such as AI-driven energy markets that could reshape strategies post-2030. 5.3 The Chair thanked the Officers and the EM for their participation, and they then left the meeting. Councillors Jason O'Connell, Chris Tew & Mark Jones had all left the meeting during the item and were not present for recommendations. The SO, AD&MSTL and TD&MSO remained for the recommendations. 5.4 Recommendations On completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee concluded by offering the following recommendations and comments for consideration: - Recommendation 1:- Members highlighted that it would be useful to show our pathway towards net zero by 2030, including year-by-year percentage changes. Members therefore recommended that officers explore the potential for this to be included within future iterations of the annual performance report. Members also suggested that relevant data from partners be included, where possible, as they contribute to our overall position. Recommendation 2:- EW13 & MT1.1 Whilst members were pleased with much of the information contained within the annual performance report, they recommended that future iterations could be strengthened by more precise data and provided the following as examples of where this could be achieved: · The benefits and specific amounts of energy created by various initiatives within schools, e.g. heat pump installations; and · The number of staff taking part in the new cycle-to-work scheme and claiming travel expenses for e-bikes. Recommendation 3:- Members were encouraged to hear about the electric vehicle (EV) on-street charging trials currently taking place within neighbouring local authorities. Members recommended that the results be reported back to committee and that the Council should act upon the recommendations of the trials, where possible, to support our residents in this area. Recommendation 4:- RE2 Members agreed with the Council’s philosophy of “sweating our assets” in terms of the energy they can generate; however they stressed the role of the Council in supporting community businesses and buildings to achieve similar and be self-reliant. Members recommended that, where possible, officers support community groups and local businesses around funding opportunities and identifying appropriate assets. Recommendation 5:- MT2.7 Members appreciated the reasons behind the unsuccessful funding bids to support the potential Safe Routes in Communities projects. Members recommended that the Council continues to actively seek such funding, and should it become available, it be targeted towards projects in order of priority. Recommendation 6:- Members suggested that there was scope to increase the wider community’s understanding around the climate and nature emergency and the work the Council was doing. Members recommended that communications be strengthened particularly in the following areas: • To provide information to communities regarding what grant funding is available through the Council and/or partners, to groups and individuals, and how it can be accessed; • The reasons why the Council is undertaking work to achieve net zero carbon, but also the additional health benefits associated with active travel, safe routes in communities, etc; and • The environmental and biodiversity factors and legal obligations attached to some Planning applications / decisions, meeting the Welsh Government's commitment to protecting 30% of the country's land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030 (30x30). Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: Members praised officers and the Executive Member for an excellent report and thanked them for the comprehensive responses to the Committee’s questions during the meeting. With regards to indirect emissions, members were pleased to hear of the work currently being undertaken to include some supplier specific data (Tier 2 data), which was more accurate than using data based on spend and industry averages (Tier 1 data). Members looked forward to seeing this data within future iterations of the annual performance report. Considering the wide-ranging nature, importance and impact of the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), members suggested it would be of significant benefit for an update to be considered at a Members Seminar. The Seminar could also include progress towards biodiversity targets. The Committee requested the following additional information from officers: • Copies of the animation and infographic being shared with our partners during the procurement process, in order to advise them around climate and nature targets; and • A written update from the Joint Director of Economy & Place outlining progress on activity RE2.8 – Progress feasibility work with partners/IDRIS to explore the heritage trails, green energy, agriculture and tourism opportunities relating to phase 2 of the wider masterplan for the British. [GT1]This doesn’t sound quite right… I’m thinking it’s either Torfaen Voluntary Alliance or voluntary organisations...
6.1 The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 18th November 2025 6.2 The meeting ended at 3.50pm.
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