28th April 2025
Quick Navigation
- Attendees
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- Preliminary Update on the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership April Workshop
- Project Progress Report
- Transport Theme Progress Update
- Net-Zero Delivery Problems and Successes
Attendees
- Doug Eltham Devon County Council (Environment Group)
- Emily Reed Devon Climate Emergency
- William Jackson-Nichols Devon Climate Emergency
- Matthew Blythe East Devon District Council
- Claire Gibson University of Plymouth
- David Edmondson Torbay Council
- Mark Burton Southwest Net Zero Hub
- Eddie Stevens Environment Agency
- John Amosford Public Health Devon
- Eileen Russell Wales and West Utilities
- Victoria Hatfield Exeter City Council
- Richard Rainbow Teignbridge District Council
- Joanna Chamberlain University of Exeter
- Polly Frost Devon County Council
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Reviewed and accepted.
OUTSTANDING ACTIONS:
- Emily to follow up with North Devon to obtain and circulate the 3-weekly residual waste collection document.
- Emily to chase South West Water regarding its business plan and emissions implications.
- Emily to explore resourcing for business case studies.
- Emily to continue coordinating the business engagement workshop with the Climate Impacts Group.
Preliminary Update on the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership April Workshop
Emily Reed provided a brief update:
- Workshop outputs are being written up with support from the Carbon Trust.
- Proposals will be shared with the partnership for feedback.
- A follow-up meeting was held with the Carbon Trust and SW Net Zero Hub.
Positive feedback on the workshop’s effectiveness and turnout. Key themes included reprioritisation and governance improvements for plan delivery.
ACTION: Emily to meet with the Carbon Trust and circulate proposals before the next meeting.
Project Progress Report
Two adaptation-related stories featured in the latest “Taking Action” posts.
Task Force recommendations:
- Emphasise a strategic approach to market development and skills training.
- Improve media engagement and traditional press outreach.
- Recognise the partnership’s role in maintaining stability amid local government changes.
No major questions raised on the report.
ACTION: Members to share any thoughts with Emily on the partnership’s role in engaging with traditional media.
Transport Theme Progress Update
Key Updates:
- T6: Torbay secured funding for a new crossing under LCWIP.
- E7: Active Devon launched free cycle training in Tavistock and Honiton.
- T8: Co Bikes replacement tender in Exeter failed and will be re-run; Plymouth introduced adapted e-cycles.
- Status changed from Amber to Red due to co-bikes service withdrawal.
- T11: Reallocation of road space to sustainable modes.
- Status changed from Amber to Red due to scheme reversals.
- T15: Devon’s car share app rebranded as Mobility Ways; promotional campaign launched.
- T24: Plymouth exploring emissions-based vehicle charging options, for example variable parking charges.
- Status changed from Red to Amber due to active review.
Torbay to receive 55 electric buses under the ZEBRA programme.
A382 Net Zero Road project in Newton Abbot highlighted as a best-practice example.
Discussion on the need for clearer criteria for action ratings (carbon impact vs. feasibility).
ACTION: Emily to update statuses of T8 and T11 to Red.
ACTION: Doug to involve Torbay colleagues (Adam Luscombe or Andy Gunther) in discussions with new bike rental providers.
ACTION: Emily to speak with the transport team about political challenges around sustainable transport and report back to the Task Force.
ACTION: Emily to ensure the A382 Net Zero Road project is captured in the progress report and lessons are shared.
ACTION: Emily to update T24 status and monitor Plymouth’s emissions-based charging exploration.
Net-Zero Delivery Problems and Successes
South West Net Zero Hub requested to officially join the partnership. To be considered as part of the upcoming governance review.
Members were asked to share if their organisations have climate adaptation strategies.
LGA Consultation on Statutory Climate Duties:
- Mixed views on whether local authorities should have statutory climate responsibilities.
- Torbay Climate Partnership to submit an independent response.
- Suggestion to coordinate responses and share the workload across the partnership.
Green Finance Project (Polly Frost):
- Innovate UK-funded project ending in June.
- Presentation to be shared with the group.
- Opportunities identified for investment-readiness in natural capital and other areas.
- Call for collaboration with organisations interested in green finance.
ACTION: Include the South West Net Zero Hub’s membership request in the governance review discussions.
ACTION: All partners to inform Emily if their organisation has a climate adaptation strategy.
ACTION: Torbay Climate Partnership to share their response to the consultation once complete.
ACTION: Polly to prepare a presentation on green finance findings for a future meeting.
