Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 7 September 2020

The notes of the meeting held on 7 September were received by the Group.

To receive an update on Wilder Horsham District from Sussex Wildlife Trust

The Cabinet Member welcomed Sussex Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) Director of Conservation Policy and Evidence, and the Landowner Adviser and Community Support Officer, who had recently been recruited to work on the Wilder Horsham District project. 

The SWT Director of Conservation gave an update on the Wilder Horsham District project. There were three main strands to the work that sought to build: a resilient organisation (HDC); resilient landscapes; and resilient communities.  

Much of the work would focus on creating key Nature Recovery Networks across the District. This would involve landowners, including farmers, and the HDC Parks & Countryside team with regards to Council owned land.  The Landowner Adviser summarised what had been achieved so far and how liaison with landowners, local communities and Parish Councils from across the district would continue during the 5-year project.  

The Environmental Coordination Manager presented an update on the progress of the project so far. There was an aim of embedding the core principles of Wilder Horsham throughout the council. The first round of applications for the HDC Community Climate Fund had just closed and a Nature Recovery Award would be launched later in November. The latter focused on supporting the creation of the Nature Recovery Networks. There would be talks and seminars for staff and Members, with the talks for staff beginning in the New Year.

To receive the draft report on the contract award for the Provision of Wheeled Bins tender, which will be considered by Cabinet on 26 November

The Recycling & Waste Strategy Manager updated the group on the Council’s Wheeled Bin contract. A procurement exercise had been carried out and the tender had identified a new supplier. The report would be considered by Cabinet on 26 November.

The Recycling & Waste Strategy Manager proposed plans for a new re-use initiative, which would include a drop off facility at Hop Oast for hard and soft furniture. The funding for this project was secured through the West Sussex Waste Partnership and a 9-month trial period would begin in the New Year.

There would be a Pop-Up shop every 3 months to re-sell the furniture, with a delivery service also available. The long-term ambition would be for a permanent site to be secured.

To receive a verbal update on alternative fuels

The Head of Waste, Street Scene & Fleet gave an update on Hop Oast’s trialling of new Electric Waste Vehicles. The vehicle being trialled was remanufactured and fitted with new electric technology. This was a significantly cheaper option but still had the same vehicle life expectancy. The Infrastructure needed to charge these vehicles would need to be considered. The service had been looking at a number of alternative fuel types, include a HVO alternative to diesel fuel which would provide a large reduction in carbon emissions.

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

The Forward Plan extract was noted.