Decision Details

Decision Confirmed

Proposal for Extension of Essex Climate Action Commission to March 2027

No

Decision taken in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Chancellor of Essex, Cllr Whitbread.

Fri 27 Jun 2025

Decision added to CMIS: Tuesday 24th June 2025

Decision subject to three-day call-in, call-in ends: Friday 27th June 2025. 

Leader

No

Sam Kennedy, Director Environment and Climate Action (sam.kennedy@essex.gov.uk)

No background papers.

Portfolio

Leader

Yes

Yes

No

For Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of the Council

2.1 Agree to extend the Commission for a further 2 years, to March 2027. The Commission’s terms of reference to be revised accordingly.

2.2 Agree that Professor Jules Pretty OBE, Emeritus Professor of Environment & Society, University of Essex, be confirmed as continuing in his role as Independent Chair of the Essex Climate Action Commission.

2.3 Note that the membership of the Commission is to be reviewed, allowing for the release of Commissioners who are no longer active and the introduction of new Commissioners with the skills and experience needed to take forward the Commission’s work effectively.

2.4 Note that the Essex Climate Action Commission is provided with the necessary secretariat support to May 2027 

For Cllr Christopher Whitbread, Chancellor for Essex and Cabinet member with responsibility for Finance

2.5 Agree the drawdown of £400,000 from the Leader’s Ambition Reserve to extend key staff roles and deliver strategically significant programmes in delivery of Commission recommendations.  These will focus on partnership engagement and support, green energy, sustainable housing planning and nature recovery. This will be drawn down as follows:

£230,000 in Financial Year 2025/26
£170,000 in Financial Year 2026/27.