The Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's financial strategy, its environmental performance, and its plans for climate resilience. The committee was also due to review the council's progress in meeting its environmental targets and consider future strategies for managing the local environment.

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 - 2029/30

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the years 2026/27 to 2029/30, specifically as it relates to the Environment, Flooding and Climate Change services within the Environment and Transport Department. The report highlighted a projected budget gap that would need to be addressed, detailing proposed revenue and capital budgets for these services over the four-year period. It also outlined the council's ongoing Efficiency Review, aimed at identifying cost reductions and service redesigns to address financial challenges. The report noted that no specific savings or growth requirements had been proposed for these services within the MTFS period, but that savings under development were at an early stage. The committee was asked to consider relevant issues as part of the consultation process and make recommendations to the Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet.

Environmental Performance Report 2024-25

A key item on the agenda was the Environmental Performance Report for 2024-25. This report detailed the council's environmental performance and progress in delivering its Environment Strategy 2018-2030, including subsidiary strategies and plans. It provided an assessment of the context within which the council's Environmental Management System (EMS) operated. The report included a summary of the council's Greenhouse Gas Report for 2024-25, highlighting a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the council's operations. It also detailed performance across various themes and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for both Leicestershire County Council as an organisation and for Leicestershire as a county. The report noted progress in areas such as renewable energy generation and tree planting, but also highlighted concerns regarding waste recycling rates and the ongoing challenge of meeting net zero targets.

Climate Resilience Delivery Plan

The committee was also scheduled to review the Climate Resilience Delivery Plan. This plan supports the delivery of the council's Environment Strategy and its commitment to tackling a changing climate. Following a Cabinet decision, the focus of the activities within this plan had shifted from carbon reduction to climate adaptation, responding to severe weather events, and projects that deliver financial savings or social, economic, or environmental benefits. The plan included actions related to flood mitigation and climate resilience measures, with a revised three-year timeframe for implementation. The report indicated that the plan would be reported to the committee annually as part of the Environmental Performance and Progress Report.

Other Scheduled Items

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as the minutes of the previous meeting, question time, and any other urgent items the Chairman had decided to take. The date of the next meeting was also scheduled to be confirmed.