Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 22^nd November 2022

The notes of the previous meeting held on 22 November were noted.

To receive a presentation from the Environmental Coordination Manager and discuss the draft strategy and plan.

The Environment Programme Manager gave a presentation on the draft Climate Action Strategy for Horsham District Council (HDC).

The presentation started by mentioning the Carbon Reduction Action Plan 2022-2025 which seeks to reduce the emissions for the Council itself. This Plan set a carbon neutral target by 2030 (for direct emissions). Emissions have lowered by 57% from the baseline, mostly due to a change to low carbon fuel.

HDC partnered with two consultancies to create the draft Strategy, which proposed actions to lower carbon emissions across the district and help the area to adapt to the changing climate. Analysis of carbon data and relevant policies formed the foundation of this Strategy. The overarching principles were the target for carbon neutrality, the integration of climate resilience and UN sustainable development goals with a broad indication of potential carbon savings and costs.

Workshops, panels, and consultations had taken place to develop the draft Strategy. This included consultations with officers from across the Council and key stakeholders (including West Sussex County Council) to shape the draft Strategy,

As well as a more focused public facing document, a detailed draft Strategy has been produced for internal use. This includes advice on options to deliver the actions. The context upon which the Strategy is formed, including policy, the Local Plan, and the Carbon Reduction Action Plan. The public facing document focuses on the actions related to enablers (such as governance and education/behaviour change) and systems, including Buildings, Energy, Waste, Transport and Land Use. The implementation part of the strategy was divided into leaders, partnership, and community. These are the delivery routes for the actions. This identifies where the Council will take a leadership role, where it will need to work in partnership with others and finally where community groups, residents, businesses, and organisations will have an important role in delivering the Strategy. This reflects the fact that the Strategy cannot be implemented singularly by HDC. The Strategy included timescales (either immediate, short, medium, or long term).

In support of the Strategy, the presentation explored the One Planet Tool. This tool mapped the Strategy, other HDC plans, key partners, and their relevant plans (e.g., WSCC Transport Plan) and other stakeholders.

Members were supportive of the draft Strategy and interested in its development.

A detailed strategy and action plan has been created for internal use, in addition to a public facing document. These strategies have been mapped into the One Planet Tool.

The draft Strategy would be considered at Cabinet on 23 March.

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

The Forward Plan extract was noted.