Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Via Remote Access

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 280 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 17 January.

Minutes:

The notes of the previous meeting held on 17 January were received.

2.

New Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan

To receive a briefing from the Environmental Coordination Manager on the New Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan.

Minutes:

The Environmental Coordination Manager briefed the group on the New Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan.

 

Members were reminded of Horsham District Council’s aspirations of reaching carbon neutrality for those emissions directly under the Council’s control by 2030. This would be through measures related to petrol, diesel, gas and electricity use.

 

For the Council’s indirect carbon emissions such as from the supply chain, leased buildings, water, waste, business mileage and commuting a target was set to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

A short-term action plan running since September 2020 had seen some positive outcomes. There had been increased communication to staff, Councillors and the public and training. Diesel had been replaced by HVO fuel and Blackbridge Community Centre had been repurposed and retrofitted using a Government grant and low energy lighting installed where appropriate. A number of buildings had been audited – including the Capitol, a Sustainable Procurement Charter approved and discussion had taken place with a consultant and other Council’s on carbon insetting.

These plans had potentially seen a carbon saving of 13% of overall emissions and 45% of direct emissions mostly related to the switch to HVO fuel and a reduction in business mileage.

 

It was noted that to reach the carbon neutral targets the Council were working on underlying principles of being financially prudent, investing at the right time, using proven technology, researching projects, partnership working, adapting where necessary and learning lessons from own projects and other Council’s.

 

An overview was given on a new three-year plan up to 2025, this would be reviewed every six months and updates given on how the plan was developing based on research, learning and new opportunities.

 

Issues and plans discussed included , addressing changes in behaviour and embed carbon reduction within Horsham District Council, indirect and direct transport emissions, indirect and direct property emissions, procurement and parks and countryside.

 

Concern was raised over the energy used at Parkside and gaining clarity on WSCC’s plans to address this. The Director of Community Services agreed to find out further information and report back to the group in the future.

 

Members were supportive of proposals and extremely positive about the work completed by the Environmental Coordination Manager. Further updates would be received at future PDAG meetings. 

 

The New Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan would be considered at Cabinet on 24 March.

 

 

3.

Update on the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Network

To receive an update from the Environmental Coordination Manager.

Minutes:

The Environmental Coordination Manager provided an update on progress regarding the Electric Vehicle Charge Point project.

 

Led by West Sussex County Council a new electric vehicle charge network for the county was being set up alongside the contractor Connected Kerb.

There was a current focus to:

·         Encourage residents to register an interest on the Connected Kerb website if they were thinking of getting an electric vehicle and did not have off street parking available to them.

·         Other Land Owners had been contacted such as Parish Council’s, Churches, Village Hall Trusts to register on the Connected Curb website if they were interested in having electric vehicle charge points installed.

 

This work was part of developing a network plan and consideration was being given to on street locations within the County and Horsham District Council were working alongside WSCC Highways.

Principal discussions were taking place to set criteria and specifications of where the charge points could or could not be located. The group were advised that the work undertaken was considering public land solutions and not business installations. Where possible government grant funding options were also being pursued.

 

The group were advised that by the end of March two rapid charge points were being replaced in Storrington Library Car Park and the Six Bells Car Park, Billingshurst and should be operational by mid April.

 

Additional fast charge points at Billingshurst and Storrington Library Car Parks and North Street, Horsham were planned to be installed end of April/May. It is hoped that more car park installations will take place as a next phase during the autumn.

 

Members were extremely positive about the work undertaken. It was requested that the website link for Connected Kerb was circulated to Members to encourage residents to register their interests.

 

Members also requested further information on current registration rates and areas where the responses were from which would be feedback as soon as possible to the PDAG.

 

Other issues discussed were a possible project launch in June, ensuring there was good communication to local residents and Members throughout the project. The Chairman encouraged HDC to produce their own policy for the electric vehicle charge point network possibly to be looked into by a Scrutiny Task and Finishing Group.

 

The Chairman advised the next PDAG would consider a plan for the district on de-carbonisation for organisations such as Parish Council’s and businesses to include support, advice and facilitating for the best decisions to be made.

An update will also be given on the Wilder Horsham District projects current achievements and moving forward.

4.

Forward Plan extract for the Environment & Rural Affairs Portfolio pdf icon PDF 132 KB

To note the Forward Plan extract for the Environment & Rural Affairs portfolio

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that the New Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan would be taken to Cabinet on 24 March.