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The Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee, which checks the council's housing and environment services, met on 10 December 2025. It approved its work programme and asked officers for more information on the council's Decarbonisation Plan, which sets out how the council will cut its carbon emissions.
The Chair led the Committee in observing a one minute silence as a show of respect in relation to Councillor Pemberton’s recent bereavement.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Jeremy Kent, Jeremy Newton and Paul Pemberton.
AGREED - That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 November 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the Committee approve the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/102/25.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/102/25 which allowed Members to consider the revised work programme of the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report and referred in particular to the to the proposed changes. AGREED – That the Committee approve the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/102/25.
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Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the information reported in respect of fuel usage, municipal waste and carbon emissions be checked and revised, if required. Revised data to be circulated to Members of the Committee, if required. (ii) That the next update report includes details on the implementation of the procurement strategy. That if available, this includes details of spend within the County Borough and Wales. (iii) That reports on this matter be submitted to this Committee on an annual basis, prior to their submission for consideration by the Executive Board. (iv) That additional information on safer routes be circulated to Members. (v) That the Committee supports the focus on “big ticket” items to help reduce carbon emissions. (vi) That the Lead member and Officers be thanked for their report and the work outlined in it.
The Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change submitted a report COET/38/25 which provided Members with an update on the delivery of the Decarbonisation Plan. The Lead Member introduced his report and responded to questions thereafter with input from the Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Manager. During the debate, a number of issues were highlighted, including: · The possible impact of the Council’s hybrid working policy on carbon emissions. Members were advised that these would be recorded in the next Annual Report, where possible. · It was noted that further investigation would be undertaken to understand the rise in fuel usage, but this could be weather related. · Work in relation to the uniform swap scheme and increasing cycling storage provision was welcomed. · Members were advised that residents could approach contractors directly with a view to securing discounted EV charging rates in the County Borough. · It was noted that buildings and transport would be the two areas where the greatest gains in reducing carbon emissions could be made. · The operation of the procurement strategy, which could help in reducing carbon, was questioned. · It was noted that large scale wind and hydro schemes were not suited to the Wrexham area, but there may be some opportunity for small scale hydro. · Work to further develop the Fleet Strategy was being undertaken and this would include at the transition to electric vehicles and better data on vehicle usage is expected from the use of telematics. AGREED – (i) That the information reported in respect of fuel usage, municipal waste and carbon emissions be checked and revised, if required. Revised data to be circulated to Members of the Committee, if required. (ii) That the next update report includes details on the implementation of the procurement strategy. That if available, this includes details of spend within the County Borough and Wales. (iii) That reports on this matter be submitted to this Committee on an annual basis, prior to their submission for consideration by the Executive Board. (iv) That additional information on safer routes be circulated to Members. (v) That the Committee supports the focus on “big ticket” items to help reduce carbon emissions. (vi) That the Lead member and Officers be thanked for their report and the work outlined in it.