The Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee met to discuss the progress of the council's Climate Change Strategy, review electric vehicle (EV) charging point usage, receive an update on the Our Future Coast Project, and review the sub-committee's work programme. The committee noted the progress on the delivery of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans document, and also noted the update report on the sub-committee's work programme.

Climate Change Strategy Performance Monitoring

The committee received an update on the progress of climate action related to the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans document.

Key discussion points:

• Past Initiatives: Wyre Council had already been working to reduce emissions before the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans document was published, including securing a Low Carbon Skills Fund grant, becoming a bronze level Carbon Literate organisation in Lancashire, buying electric vehicles, and sustainably managing green spaces.
• Strategy Endorsement and Launch: The Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans were endorsed by the Full Council on 12 September 2024, followed by four free tree giveaway events for residents.
• Carbon Footprint: The 2023/24 carbon footprint results narrowly missed the carbon budget target by 5%. However, significant reductions are expected in 2024/25 due to the switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
• Officer Delivery Board: An officer delivery board was established in early 2024, including Mark Billington, Director of Environment, the Assistant Director of Environmental Services, and the Climate Change Officer. The board aims to raise the profile of climate change and ensure sustained progress in delivering climate action.
• Progress Update: As of March 13 2025, approximately 80 actions were in progress.
• Internal Action Tracker: An internal action tracker allows project leads to comment on progress and ensure climate action is taking place.
• Priority Actions: The officer delivery board has created a priority list of actions to complete within the next twelve months (from August 2025), broken down into smaller actions to track progress.

Emissions Reducing Initiatives:

A number of initiatives have taken place in the past 12 months since the adoption of the Climate Change Strategy:

• Planting two Miyawaki forests.
• Four tree give away events for residents.
• Creation of two school newsletters to signpost resources, funding opportunities and promote climate change initiatives.
• Switch to HVO for the vehicle fleet.
• Wider use of the Climate Change Impact Assessment tool in decision making for reports and council projects.
• Delivering the Young Wyre in Bloom competition.
• Formation of the climate change officer delivery board to further climate action corporately.
• Installation of Solar at Fleetwood Leisure Centre.
• Mandatory online climate change training for all new starters.

Twelve Month Priority Plan:

The committee also discussed a twelve month priority plan, which included actions to be completed in the next year, split by priority areas as shown in the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans document. These included:

• Buildings:
  • PIR lighting review
  • LED lighting review
  • Exploration of invest to save energy efficiency measures
  • Explore use of radiator additives
  • Ensure efficient performance at Fleetwood Market
  • Use the council's carbon footprint to identify anomalies to reduce utility bills and carbon emissions
  • Administer ownership of utilities
  • Continued support for promotion of Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL) and Greener Homes.
• Transport:
  • Exploration of Climate Perks.
• Net Zero Council:
  • Creation of new procurement guidance for spending officers.
• Planning:
  • Expected creation of a draft climate change policies to be available for consultation in Spring 2026.
• Engagement:
  • Deliver a toolbox talk for front line staff.
  • Continued engagement with staff and the borough to raise awareness of the actions that can be taken to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
• Waste:
  • Exploring installation of water fountains with Danfo.
  • Improved recycling rates and raised awareness amongst staff on correct recycling procedures.
  • Introduce household food waste recycling.
  • Explore the Five Dinners meal planner.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points

The committee reviewed the implementation of the recommendations of the Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Wyre Task Group, one year on. Wyre Council provides two types of EV charger in council-owned car parks: Fast Chargers (up to 7kW) and Rapid Chargers (up to 50 kW).

Key findings:

• Fast Chargers: 46 charging points installed between February and June 2023, financed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) under the On-Street Charging Scheme¹, Blink Charging, and Wyre Council, and operated by Blink Charging.
• Rapid Chargers: 5 charging points, including a BP Pulse charger provided by Highway England in 2019, and 4 charging points installed by Blink Charging in 2022 under the Taxi charging scheme funded by OZEV.
• Usage: Usage data from October 2023 to August 2025 was presented, showing the number of charges and total kW used by charger type and location.
• Issues: The Blink rapid chargers have been problematic since installation, with some chargers being unavailable for long periods while parts are sourced for their repair. Currently three of the four Blink rapid chargers are offline, and Blink are planning to replace them with newer units.

Usage by Location – Fast Chargers:

Usage by Location – Rapid Chargers:

Our Future Coast Project and Programme

Carl Green, Head of Engineering, and Ellie Brown, Our Future Coast Programme Manager, provided the committee with a verbal update on the Our Future Coast Project and Programme. A summary of the discussion was not included in the minutes.

Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee received an update on the delivery of the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee Work Programme 2025/26.

Key discussion points:

• Helping Wyre Council prepare for the new 'Simpler Recycling' rules Task Group: The final report will be considered by Wyre Council's Cabinet on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
• Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone masterplan item: A report was due to go to Cabinet in September but has been deferred due to the potential sale of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone site by NPL. This item will remain on the Work Programme.

• Wyre Rivers Trust/Myerscough College: Wyre Rivers Trust² and Myerscough College have been invited to December's meeting to share what good farming work is taking place. After this meeting, the committee will decide whether to form a task group focused on supporting the farming industry and addressing the implications of climate change. Work Programme 2025/26:

• Thursday 12 June:

  • Election of Chair for the municipal year 2025/26
  • Election of Vice Chair for the municipal year 2025/26
  • Leisure Procurement Strategy
  • Helping Wyre Council prepare for the 'Simpler Recycling' rules Task Group draft report
  • Work programme update 2025/26

• Thursday 18 September:

  • Climate Change Strategy review – performance monitoring
  • Review of the implementations of the recommendations of the Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Wyre Task Group - one year on
  • Our Future Coast Project and Programme
  • Work programme update 2025/26

• Thursday 4 December:

  • Council's Carbon Footprint update
  • Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone masterplan (tbc - may have its own meeting)
  • Planning, housing and climate change
  • Wyre Rivers Trust/Myerscough – what good work is taking place with farmers
  • Work programme update 2025/26

• Thursday 12 March:

  • Climate Change Strategy review – performance monitoring
  • Communications with residents regarding Climate Change
  • 'Simpler Recycling' update
  • Work programme update 2025/26