Net zero is a top priority for both organisations  and the WLGA has asked us  to review the policies and practices that local authorities in other small countries and devolved regions are adopting to reduce public sector emissions and encourage public and private sector behaviour change.

WCPP will bring together evidence, experts and resources to summarise the facilitators of best practice – along with key barriers to success. It will identify case studies showcasing ways to achieve change in the public and private sectors and explore the potential for private sector financing of net zero initiatives.

The findings will support the WLGA and local authorities work towards meeting the overall public sector ambition of reaching net zero by 2030.

WCPP Director Steve Martin said:

“Working with local policy makers to help them tackle some of the biggest challenges facing Wales is a key part of work as a Centre, and we welcome this new project which builds on and strengthens our relationship with the Welsh Local Government Association.

“Local government has a crucial role to play in leading the transition to net zero transition. But constraints on public funding and the need to harness external expertise to reduce emissions means engagement with the private sector is essential.
 

“We are looking forward to working closely with our partners at the WLGA to help support councils’ efforts to tackle the climate emergency in the most cost-effective way.”

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, WLGA Leader said:

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and local government is fully committed to fulfilling its role to achieve the ambition of achieving a net zero public sector by 2030. That is why we’re looking forward, through the Welsh Local Government Association, to work closely with the Wales Centre for Public Policy to support us on that journey. Collaborative working is key to ensure a just transition, and the added expertise of the WCPP will very much complement Welsh councils’ local knowledge.”

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As part of safety measures following the Tylorstown landslide in February 2020, data surrounding the location and categorisation of disused coal tips can now be viewed on maps.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, WLGA Leader said:

“The publication of the maps should help to give people all over Wales the clarity and transparency that they need as to the location and any associated risks presented by disused coal tips. Our industrial heritage can be seen in vast parts of the Welsh landscape, and councils have been working closely with Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and the UK Government, as part of the Coal Tip Safety Taskforce, to identify the disused sites.

We are extremely grateful for the £44.4 million which has been made provided until the end of 2024-25 for councils and partners to undertake maintenance works of old tips. We would urge the Minister to continue discussions with the UK Government for a longer-term funding solution which will ensure ongoing remedial works, further increase community resilience, and help to tackle the impacts of climate change on coal tip sites in Wales.”

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For the first time ever, the Welsh Government has been able to provide a breakdown of the 2,456 identified tips in Wales split into risk categories and by local authority.

The new data follows a written statement from Climate Change Minister Julie James earlier this month where she confirmed Welsh Government had collected the data and shared with local authorities and Local Resilience Forums to assist with emergency preparedness.

The data shows that Neath Port Talbot has the greatest number of sites at 607 but that Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most sites classified as being at higher risk at 75.

Higher risk sites fall under categories C and D which recognise there is a potential to cause risk to safety, not that there is an imminent or immediate threat – it means that more frequent inspections are scheduled.

The publication of the data comes ahead of this afternoon’s Coal Tip Safety Summit, which is meeting for the fourth time. The summit will discuss the progress of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force, including data mapping and ongoing maintenance and inspection work.

Funding for the long-term reclamation of coal tips will also be discussed at the summit. Repurposing, reclamation and remediation of disused coal tips to deal with the legacy of the pre-devolution mining industry is estimated to cost at least £500 million to £600 million over the next decade and a half. The Welsh Government has stressed the need for this investment to be frontloaded in the coming years, as rainfall intensifies and temperatures increase because of the changing climate.

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, said:

We recognise how concerning living in the shadow of a coal tip can be for communities and we want to reassure local residents that a lot of work is being done to ensure they are safe.

An inspection and maintenance regime is in place, with winter inspections currently underway on the higher risk tips. We’re also piloting technology trials to better understand any ground movement at higher risk sites. But we know the risks will increase with climate change and we know the importance of reaching a long-term solution.

These sites pre-date devolution. Our funding settlement does not recognise the substantial, long-term costs of remediating and repairing these sites. Tomorrow’s Spending Review is an opportunity for the UK government to use its financial powers to help communities who’ve given so much to Wales and the United Kingdom during the coal-mining years. A package of investment to remediate these sites will show how our two governments can work together for the communities we serve.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

Work is being undertaken regularly to monitor and inspect coal tips for any movement or activity. However, this data shows that substantial long-term investment is needed if we are to make sure that necessary repair work is carried out and to ensure the safety of these sites across Wales.

I am pleased that both the UK government and Welsh Government are taking the issue seriously and have set up the Coal Tip Safety Task Force to jointly map out the work needed. However, despite a cross-party joint letter endorsed by all of the 22 council leaders in Wales requesting UK government funding, it is disappointing that the UK government - despite some initial financial support - has so far refused to commit to an ongoing programme of funding which is going to be needed to deal with this legacy issue which pre-dates devolution. The Spending Review gives a chance for the UK government to give some much-needed reassurance to communities that are still living in the shadow of their industrial legacy. By working together with partners including UK government, Welsh Government and local government, and with long term investment, we can help to make sure that we protect these sites against future climate change risks, and to prevent repeating past disasters.

On Friday, the First Minister confirmed plans to amend regulations to allow travel to recycling sites when they are eventually reopened in the future. While this regulation change enables councils to re-open sites, they are unlikely to re-open immediately as each local authority will use their discretion to decide if it is safe to do so in line with the situation in their area.

Local councils will keep residents informed of any plans and timescales for re-opening facilities in each authority area.

Recycling centres have remained closed since lockdown was introduced to minimise non-essential journeys. Councils have continued to keep the situation under constant review to encourage residents to comply with the measures.

All councils have agreed a common set of criteria that will need to be met before they can consider the safe re-opening of recycling sites. Councils will need to be satisfied that:

• There is an appropriate level of staff available to operate the facilities.
• The sites can comply with stringent health and safety requirements including sanitisation, social distancing and the implications for traffic management.
• Trade Unions are being consulted to agree the basis for any reopening and operation of the Centres.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

“Since the beginning of the lockdown, the government’s message has been clear that we should all stay at home except for very limited reasons.

“While the First Minister has today confirmed plans to permit journeys to recycling centres, it will be for each local authority to decide when is safe to open the sites in their areas.”

“Councils are working together, and with the Police, Welsh Government and Trade Unions, to explore how the facilities can be adapted to comply with current Coronavirus rules.

“The safety of the public and staff remains our top priority. Although we know that some have experienced inconvenience, local authorities are determined to ensure that sites in each area will only reopen when it is safe to do so, and when residents can feel confident in using them again.”

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Notes for Editors

• The First Minister today announced minor amendments to the lockdown in Wales. Read more here: https://gov.wales/wales-extends-coronavirus-lockdown
• WLGA has welcomed the First Minister’s “cautious approach” to the lockdown restrictions: https://www.wlga.wales/wlga-welcomes-first-minister-cautious-approach-to-lockdown-restrictions

An unprecedented 6.5in of rain fell in the 48 hours between lunchtime on Friday and Saturday, causing significant and hazardous disruption in many parts of the country. This was the second such weather event in a week, following from last week’s Storm Ciara which affected large swathes of the country.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

“Council workers, along with Fire and Rescue, NRW and emergency services colleagues, have been working around the clock over the weekend to deal with the extraordinary weather conditions that we’ve seen right across the country. For the second time in as many weeks, council workers across Wales have shown an admirable commitment to public duty. 

“As well as cleaning culverts, clearing fallen trees, distributing sandbags and responding to emergencies, we have seen tireless crews go above and beyond to set up and tend to emergency rest centres, keep vital services open, and to make sure that we’re all safe. I would like to give my sincere thanks all of them for their work in responding to both storms, and for their continuing recovery work.

“We are still seeing the effects of the weather in many parts of Wales. Some roads remain closed, and driving conditions are still dangerous in some areas. Residents will be able to find out more about the situation in their local area by visiting their council’s website or social media.

“Although it is too early to be able to fully assess the damage caused, it is highly likely to be substantial. WLGA will work closely and rapidly with the Welsh Government to explore what help is available to councils to support recovery and reconstruction efforts.”

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