Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Wallis Room, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham

Contact: Email: committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk  Direct Line: 01403 215465

Items
No. Item

9.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 16 September 2019

Minutes:

The notes of the meeting held on 16 September were received.

10.

Bulky Waste Collections

 

To review the contract specification with the PDAG in preparation for the Bulky Waste Collection Service OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) tendering exercise.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member advised the Group that the Bulky Waste collection service sought to enable discarded bulky items to be re-used or recycled, thus limiting the amount sent to landfill. The service was well used by residents and fulfilled the Council’s statutory requirement to collect items over 25 kilogrammes. 

 

The Head of Environment, Waste & Recycling gave a presentation on how the service was being updated, and on the forthcoming tender specification. The Council sought a new 4-year contract for a collection and disposal service to work in partnership with the Council. The Group noted the improvements that were being made to the service, including on-line booking that would reflect real demand giving customers improved access to a statutory service.  

 

Issues raised and discussed by the Group included the need for sufficient storage space and outlets to offer items for reuse or resale. The Director of Community Services confirmed that this was being addressed.  

 

The Group discussed pricing levels and structure and noted that the Procurement Team would be consulted before the tender was finalised.  The Group noted that the cost of the service was regularly reviewed.

11.

Horsham District Council's Carbon Footprint

To receive a draft report on the council's carbon footprint.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member gave a summary of the report that would be presented at the Cabinet meeting on 28 November.  The initiative was in response to the Council’s formal acknowledgement of a climate emergency at the Council meeting in June 2019.

 

The Project Developer advised that the Carbon Trust had completed their audit of the Council’s carbon footprint and summarised their findings.  This would form the baseline for ongoing work to reduce carbon emissions, focussing on Council-owned buildings, fleet and contracted services, e.g. leisure centres. The next stage was to develop a costed action-plan based on set targets.

 

In addition to addressing the Council’s own emissions, the proposal included work with Parish Councils and community groups to enable them to take action at a local level.  The report included a recommendation for a transfer of funds to a green reserve to create a seed funding pot for community groups.  Through this fund the Council would facilitate local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

 

In response to concerns from the Group regarding the impact of housing development across the district, the Director of Community Services confirmed that the Council’s Local Plan Review included a sustainability assessment and would reflect the national policy requirement for a biodiversity net gain. 

 

The Cabinet Member emphasised that this issue involved joint working with other portfolios. The Group were in favour of Cabinet approving the recommendations in the report.   

12.

Wilder Horsham District

To receive a presentation on the Wilder Horsham District. 

Minutes:

The Project Developer gave an overview of the proposed partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT).  This was a five-year programme of measures to reverse decline and enhance wildlife. The creation of networks of protected land that allow habitats for species to expand was a key element of the proposal.   Funding for a tree replacement programme on Council land was also included in the report.

 

Implementation would be embedded in all Council services, in particular Planning, and include training for officers. Two SWT posts would be created to identify and deliver a nature recovery network and enhance existing landscapes, including those in Horsham town and other settlements.  Support for parish councils and community groups was included in the scheme. 

 

The Group noted that the scheme would be closely monitored and adjusted should the need arise.  It was noted that SWT worked closely with a number of landowners in the district and part of their role was to encourage and support them.

 

The Cabinet Member said he was impressed with the knowledge and expertise that SWT would bring to Wilder Horsham District.  He advised the Group that the Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture was closely involved and the Countryside Management Team were giving practical support.  

 

The Group were supportive of the Wilder Horsham District partnership proposals.

13.

Forward Plan Extract for the Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Portfolio pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To note the Forward Plan extract for the Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Portfolio

Minutes:

The extract from the Forward Plan was noted.