Norwich Independent Commission on Climate Change (NICCC)

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION

Norwich Independent Commission on Climate Change (NICCC)

What is the NICCC?

The NICCC is a group of independent people, representing different sectors of the city of Norwich. The group has been brought together by Norwich City Council, and will be chaired by Cllr Brian Morrey, deputy leader and portfolio holder for sustainable city development.

What is the overall purpose of the NICCC?

In some respects the city of Norwich is already a leading player in the field of environmental improvement and climate change. However, the sustainability pathway is constantly changing, so it is vital to plan ahead for reliable and appropriate long term solutions.

The purpose of the NICCC is therefore to focus on the future of the city of Norwich, but set in its wider sub-region, (defined as Greater Norwich) and to consider what environmental, social and economic actions and strategies people and organisations in the city should be developing in order to ensure an exemplary positive response to reducing the future scale of climate change and global warming.

The NICCC will carry out research by key experts involving and a wide range of citizens throughout the city, all of whom will have a different perspective on their aspirations as well as the needs of the city, and how to tackle climate change. The NICCC will gather views and evidence from all of these contributors, and will develop a report and recommendations on how the city of Norwich, and its surrounding region, should meet the nationally agreed targets for greenhouse gas reduction. This will specifically inform the content of the City Council's Environmental (and sustainability) Strategy 2010-2015, but will also help to develop proposals for improved joint working into the future.

Terms of reference

To consider the future economy and society of Greater Norwich with regard to the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 34 % by 2020, and by 80% by 2050 (in accordance with the recommendations of the UK Climate Change Committee)
To consider best practice from other UK and world cities, such as Freiburg in Germany, to help inform the development of practical solutions for the city of Norwich to achieve these aims.
To explore and define practical steps that people and organisations across the city could take to deliver these targets
To consider how people and organisations in the city might collaborate better to support an agreed action plan/ commitment
To help inform the development of the new Norwich City Council Environmental & Sustainability Strategy 2010-2015
To develop proposals for increasing communication and awareness about climate change and environmental issues within Greater Norwich.

How will the NICCC work?

The NICCC will consist of two main groups;

A small core group of commissioners (the NICCC Board) which will oversee the research work, will gather views/ opinions from key stakeholders, and will develop a final report with findings and recommendations
A wider group of representatives from relevant organisations (e.g. business, academic research, community groups, non-government organisations, health, education, the churches, and local authorities) who will contribute to the research/ information gathering process

Proposals for the operation of both groups are attached as Annex A to this note.

Membership of the NICCC Board

The NICCC Board will consist of 6 commissioners. These are proposed to be;

Cllr Brian Morrey, Norwich City Council (chair) CONFIRMED
Tim O'Riordan, Sheriff of Norwich, and Emeritus Professor UEA CONFIRMED
Richard Willson, Environmental Manager, Norwich City CONFIRMED
Ian Findlater, Group Business Development Director, May Gurney) CONFIRMED
Tim Williams, Editor, Norwich Evening News CONFIRMED
Graham Smith, Dean, Norwich Cathedral CONFIRMED
Sue Falch-Lovesey, Head Environmental and Outdoor Learning Team, Norfolk County Council CONFIRMED

Each member shall appoint a designated deputy who should attend meetings when required.

Contributing representatives/experts

The objective is to gather a broad range of views and opinions. Therefore, contributions will be sought from a balance of people from different geographical areas and different stakeholder groups across the city.

The initial proposed contributors are considered to be;

A rep from business
A rep from academic institution
A rep from third sector
A rep from environmental organisations
A rep from media
And other relevant organisations

The commissioners will agree the full list of people to interview and be able to invite additional representations as appropriate.

Timetable and reporting

The following outline timetable is proposed;

Nov/ Dec 2009

Agreement of terms of reference etc
Recruitment of commissioners
Agreement of key contributors
Agreement of focus of research and consultation

January 2010

Research work/ interviews carried out

February 2010

Compile findings and recommendations into a draft report

March 2010

Report published/ submitted to Norwich City Council executive
Possible launch event

The NICCC final report and recommendations will be reported to the city councils executive in March 2010. Following this, any agreed recommendations will be incorporated in the Norwich City Council revised Environmental & Sustainability Strategy 2010 - 2015.

Annex A

NICCC Board working arrangements/ conduct of business

NICCC is committed to

Listening to and taking relevant issues forward that are important to stakeholders
Supporting stakeholders in making their views fully known
Reaching out to as many groups and organisations as possible that are likely to be affected by the issues raised within the Norwich area and to disseminate the independent commission findings as appropriate
Publishing the findings of the commission to the wider public and presenting them to the executive members for consideration and possible implementation.

Conduct of NICCC business

At the beginning of each meeting, members will be asked to declare any potential conflict of interests with the objectives
The NICCC Board will reach quorum of at least three members
The NICCC Board will work to an agenda, which the chair will co-ordinate and distribute and make available at least five working days prior to the meeting
Members must notify the chair/ vice chair of any agenda items (including any papers for circulation) at least ten working days before the meeting
Items for future meetings will be a standing agenda item
NICCC Board meetings will last no longer than three hours and outstanding agenda items will be carried forward to the next meeting
The NICCC Board will be democratic, non-sectarian, not affiliated to or connected directly with any political party or political organisation and non-profit making
Norwich City Council will support the working group by servicing meetings unless other arrangements are adopted.