Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 7 September

The notes of the meeting held on 7 September 2023 were received.

To receive an overview of the consultation and engagement with the Draft Climate Action Strategy, to include:

·         Summary of responses to the residents’ survey

·         Summary of responses to the business survey

·         Summary of responses during the in-person engagement

·         Next steps

Officers presented the findings of the consultation that had taken place in relation to the draft Climate Action Strategy. The consultation involved a survey of residents and businesses, as well as one to one engagement. There was a focus on the gaps within the strategy, actions that were already being taken in the community and the barriers to action, including how these barriers could be overcome. The overall aim of the strategy was for the District to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Members discussed the demographic data, and Officers confirmed that the one-to-one engagement which was discussed later in the meeting focused on some of these groups. 

There was a good response to the resident survey. Part of this asked respondents to rank the current priorities in the Strategy. Transport ranked the highest, with the need for better public transport. Land use was ranked second, with support for projects that make improvements for wildlife and join habitats being highly supported. 

The responses to the business survey indicated that 75% businesses would like to increase their climate action. There was a proposal to create a virtual climate change network, and a lack of investment was identified as a key barrier.

The one-to-one engagement focused on hard-to-reach groups, and demographics that were less well represented from the survey response. A range of challenges to taking action were identified, including public transport, protecting green spaces and reducing energy consumption.

The Environmental Coordination Manager outlined the gaps that were identified in the strategy, and highlighted that the results of the engagement demonstrated that the community care about the environment and climate action, and that more leadership was required from Horsham District Council (HDC), as well as the Parish and Neighbourhood Councils. The next steps were to amend the strategy and prepare for major initiatives. The Strategy would be considered by this Policy Development Advisory Group in January, ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

Members raised that there should be a focus on reduction of waste, rather than recycling. A number of ideas were proposed, including heat pumps, advice to communities in relation to setting up EV Car Clubs, advice on rainwater harvesting, and green jobs. It was agreed that a detailed list would be emailed to the Environmental Coordination Manager and the Cabinet Member. The Environmental Coordination Manager suggested that Henfield Parish Council could be invited to give a presentation at the Parish Action Network in relation to the EV Car Clubs,

It was highlighted that there was training available for young people on green skills, however there were limited opportunities for jobs where their knowledge could be implemented. Work was to be undertaken to map out opportunities that could be available.

The Group discussed recycling points where thin plastics could be recycled. It was suggested that these locations could be advertised in the district magazine, on social media as well as parish magazines. In one specific location it was  suggested that an existing Terracycle collection point could be used to collect soft plastics and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To note that there are currently no items on the Forward Plan for the Climate Action & Nature Recovery portfolio

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery advised Members that that Climate Action Strategy would be considered at the January meeting of the Cabinet. There would be two versions of the strategy produced. The public version of the strategy would outline the overall strategy, whilst a internal version would be produced that included the detail required for delivery of the strategy.

Members thanked Officers for their work thus far.