Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to introduce a proposed new scheme of delegated decision making for land acquisition for carbon sequestration and ecological improvement purposes taking into account the recommendations of Communities Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approve the introduction of the new scheme of delegated decision making for land acquisition (freehold/leasehold) for carbon sequestration and ecological improvement purposes as proposed in Appendix 3 to the report, and

(b)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report, as part of its consideration.

Councillor Barry Mellor presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to introduce the proposed new scheme of delegated decision making for land acquisition for carbon sequestration and ecological improvement purposes, having taken into account the recommendations of the Communities Scrutiny Committee, to allow land to be more promptly and effectively acquired so that the Council delivered on its Climate and Ecological Emergency declaration and associated targets.

Cabinet’s original decision in February 2022 to approve the proposed scheme of delegation had been subject to call-in.  At its meeting in July, Cabinet had agreed to reconsider its original decision taking into account the recommendations of the Communities Scrutiny Committee.  The report addressed the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations which included seeking consultation responses from key organisations; amending wording in the proposed scheme of delegation in so far as it related to liaising with local councillors and Member Area Groups; undertaking a review of staffing resources in Countryside Services at the appropriate time to ensure sufficient capacity to deal with the additional future duties, and the provision of detailed information on agricultural land grading in Denbighshire.

The Climate Change Programme Manager summarised the report and confirmed that each of the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations had been addressed.  She also drew attention to the Council’s Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive 2030 targets and rationale for acquisition for purposes of carbon sequestration and ecological improvement.  Councillor Mellor added that Councillor Huw Williams, Chair of Communities Scrutiny Committee had been satisfied that the issues raised by the Scrutiny Committee had been addressed.  However, he had also asked that members be kept informed of any land acquisition when it took place, which Councillor Mellor considered a reasonable request.  The Leader thanked Councillor Huw Williams and Communities Scrutiny Committee for their work which had led to the current outcome.  Councillor Emrys Wynne also welcomed the review and highlighted the value of scrutiny and its importance in the Council’s processes.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)      approve the introduction of the new scheme of delegated decision making for land acquisition (freehold/leasehold) for carbon sequestration and ecological improvement purposes as proposed in Appendix 3 to the report, and

(b)      confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report, as part of its consideration.