Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 15^th July 2019

The notes of the meeting held on 15 July 2019 were received. 

To receive a presentation from the Head of Waste, Recycling, Street Scene & Fleet Services.

The Director of Community Services gave a presentation to update the Group on a number of issues. 

Carbon audit and action plan

The Carbon Trust was carrying out an audit to assess the Council’s carbon footprint, focussing on the use of the Council’s buildings and fuel consumption. The Group will receive an update at the next PDAG on 18 November, after the audit is completed.

An officer working-group had been established to look at best practice being adopted by other councils.  This group would also engage with local groups and organisations to facilitate a reduction in carbon emissions across the district.

District Wide Plan

Local authorities in Sussex were working together to create a Sussex-wide approach to carbon emissions.  This would look at the carbon footprint of the population, taking into account roads, businesses and individuals.   

The Cabinet Member suggested that a district-wide Road Show could be used to communicate with residents.  A previous Road Show focussing on waste and recycling had been very successful in engaging with the public.   

Sussex Wildlife Trust

The Council was working with the Sussex Wildlife Trust with a view to producing an action plan with three main aims: helping wildlife thrive; creating habitat networks; and inspiring and engaging communities.  The Director of Community Services stressed the need for the action plan to include specific, costed items and actions.  A presentation on this work will be given to the Council meeting on 16 October.

Local Plan Review

The Council was undertaking a review of the Horsham District Planning Framework.  The review sought to emphasise and strengthen local and national policies that facilitate a net gain for biodiversity.   

EV Charging points

WSCC was currently consulting on a county-wide strategy for charging points. HDC officers had asked for further information before committing to joining their procurement exercise.   HDC had already identified some sites across the district including at Hop Oast and The Bridge.  

Recycling

The Group were updated on changes to recycling bins in the town centre, including the introduction of cigarette-end recycling.   Horsham Park, Upper Beeding and Storrington had also benefitted from new recycling bins. 

The Director of Community Services advised that WSCC would stop paying recycling credits to HDC and other district councils.  This was a non-statutory payment that reflected the value of the recycling collected from each area.  The County Council would continue to provide educational input for the whole area.

WSCC would fund a forthcoming food-waste collection trial, which was scheduled to take place by 2023, as mandated by central government.