Leader Column: We now have a portfolio dedicated fighting climate change

Published: 17 September 2020

I hope you have all enjoyed the summer and managed to get a well-deserved break. September is always a busy time at the Council and there is a lot for us to focus on as the city continues its recovery from COVID 19 and we plan for the future.

I was pleased to announce last week changes to the responsibilities of our Lead Councillors and the Council, including our corporate priorities and director responsibilities.

Since we declared a Climate Emergency last year a lot of work has been taking place with our partners to develop a Roadmap and a clear plan for the future. Now is the time to start putting that into action if we are to achieve a Net Zero Carbon Exeter by 2030.

We now have a portfolio dedicated to lowering carbon emissions and fighting climate change for the first time.  This is a really major challenge, especially as we have no budget, no funding and no authority over others to tell them what to do. We are operating without statutory powers and resources, and that makes it especially difficult. But we will do everything we can to affect change and lower carbon emissions – it will run through the core of everything we do going forward.

There is of course a lot the Council is already doing. We will build 500 council-owned properties over the next five years all to a carbon neutral standard. We also have plans to set up our own retrofit company to adapt existing properties to be highly energy efficient and low carbon. We continue to protect our green areas in the city, working with the Devon Wildlife Trust on Ludwell and the other valley parks, and we have an aspiration to re-wild the former Northbrook Approach golf course.

It is great news that our leisure centres will be reopening shortly. I would like to thank everyone for their patience as we make each facility safe and welcoming to come back to. These centres are now being run directly by the City Council rather than a private company, which I am delighted about. We are absolutely committed to creating first class facilities for everyone across our city.

Anyone who has been in the city centre will have seen the progress of the new bus station, which is really taking shape. It is going to be top class, and I am delighted with the progress.

The new leisure centre is also rising up and taking shape. I was recently lucky enough to have a tour of the site, and it really is going to be an incredible facility. The space is extraordinary, and the view from the top is really striking. I was so impressed with what I saw - it really is going to be fantastic when it opens next year.

I know a lot of people are interested in what’s happening with the pool at the Riverside. I have visited the site to see the work. There is still a lot to do to ensure the pool will be fit for purpose, but despite some delays caused by COVID 19 the work is coming along well. It has been a much bigger job than anyone thought when we started, and I have apologised for that. But we are investing over £7m on improvements – replacing the roof, creating new changing facilities, generally refreshing and updating to make sure we have a facility that will last and that we can all be proud of.

COVID 19 is still with us and we must all continue to heed the advice on social distancing. It’s going to a long haul, especially with winter coming. But I am pleased with the way our recovery work is going, and the partnership approach we have taken. The recovery of the city centre in particular is so important – the success of this will impact on all of us. There is much to do, but I know that if we all work together we will recover strongly and build back better.