The Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2029/30, its Environmental Performance Report for 2024-25, and the Climate Resilience Delivery Plan. These discussions aimed to provide an overview of the council's financial planning, environmental progress, and strategies for adapting to climate change.

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 balanced, with implications for these services. The proposed revenue budget for 2026/27 was detailed, along with provisional budgets for the subsequent three years. The report also outlined the draft Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30, funded through various grants and reserves, and discussed future developments for capital projects. 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

The committee was set to review the Environmental Performance Report for 2024-25, detailing the council's environmental performance and progress in delivering its Environment Strategy 2018-2030. The report provided an assessment of the context within which the council's Environmental Management System (EMS) operated. Key headlines from the report were scheduled for discussion, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the council's operations, electricity use for street lighting, and water consumption. The report also highlighted an increase in office waste and a fall in the recycling rate, alongside progress in planting trees and the performance of the council's EMS. For Leicestershire as a county, the report was expected to cover greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy generation, and waste management figures. The report concluded with an assessment of the council's progress towards its net zero targets and identified areas of concern, such as financial pressures impacting environmental improvements.

Climate Resilience Delivery Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the Climate Resilience Delivery Plan, which supports the council's Environment Strategy and Strategic Plan. This plan had been reframed from its previous focus on carbon reduction to encompass climate adaptation, responding to severe weather events, and projects delivering financial savings and other benefits. The plan included actions related to flood mitigation and climate resilience measures, with a revised three-year timeframe for implementation. The report detailed the co-benefits of each action, such as financial efficiency, nature and biodiversity, and health and wellbeing. The committee's views on the Delivery Plan were to be reported to the Cabinet for consideration. The plan also outlined resource implications, including funding for staff to update the climate risk register and implement mitigation measures, as well as investment in highways drainage assets and community engagement.