Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Wallis Room, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham

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

Items
No. Item

23.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 8th January 2020.

Minutes:

The notes of the meeting held on 8 January were received by the Group.

24.

Electric Vehicle Charge Point Strategy

The Environmental Coordination Manager will give a presentation to the group

Minutes:

The Project Developer briefed the Group on the proposed EV Charge Point Strategy (2020-2030), which would be presented to Cabinet on 26 March with a recommendation to approve the strategy and agree in principle to the Council joining a collaboration with West Sussex County Council to install a county-wide network of charging points.  

 

The objective of the strategy was to secure a comprehensive and cohesive network by 2030.  Members were advised that the strategy complemented the sustainable transport strategy set out in the Local Plan and reflected the ambitious timetable set by national government regarding transition to electric vehicles.  The use of renewable energy to power the EV charging points was part of the strategy.

 

The strategy was based on modelling done by WSCC and the Group noted the type of publicly accessible sites being proposed.  The focus of the strategy is to provide charge points for residents that do not have off-street parking which restricts them from charging their EVs at home. The strategy proposed that HDC would install charge points in its car parks.

 

WSCC adopted its own Strategy in December 2019. It would like to work with District and Borough Councils, as well as Parish Councils, to install charge points on public land. This would create a network of charge points across the County.

 

In response to concerns regarding the different types of charge points available, the Cabinet Member stated that the government had brought in legislation to ensure standardisation but it was not known how long this is likely to take before this occurs across different networks. Several local authorities were developing strategies to install EV charge points.

 

The Group were supportive of the draft strategy and the recommendations to Cabinet.  The Cabinet Member thanked them for their input.

25.

BT Car Park Commuter Parking Option

Proposal for the commuter parking tariff in BT car park

Minutes:

The Head of Parking Services outlined proposals to introduce commuter parking to the BT Exchange car park.  The current pay and display short-term parking would continue to operate alongside a new commuter tariff, and staff parking would be dispersed to other carparks to free up the spaces. 

 

The proposal would maximise the use of this carpark, provide spaces in a sustainable location close to the railway station.  It would also reduce the amount of all-day parking in the town centre.

 

The Head of Parking Strategy would supply the Group with statistics on current numbers of all-day parking in the town centre.  It was noted that timings of on-street parking restrictions were the responsibility of WSCC.

 

The Group were in support of the proposal.  If agreed by Cabinet on 26 March, the new arrangements would come into force on 1 May 2020.  

26.

Economic Development Update

The Head of Economic Development will provide an update

Minutes:

The Head of Economic Development updated the Group on a number of key projects:

 

Horsham Town Centre BID (Business Improvement District) – a Business Plan was being prepared ahead of the ballot of business in October 2020.  If successful, the BID would be formed in April 2021. 

 

Business Support – a number of events had taken place, including a drop-in event on 18 February, and the Apprenticeship Fair, which had over 500 visitors.  Applications for LEAP grants for small businesses were available, with next year’s round of applications open from May 2020. The Kinder Living Road Show, which had recently been hosted at Parkside, would be visiting Henfield in September. 

 

Journey to Work – this successful programme continued to help find employment, with 62 out of 154 jobseekers finding work.  Funding to enable the programme to continue beyond the next financial year was being sought.

27.

Forward Plan Extract for the Local Economy and Parking Portfolio pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To note the Forward Plan extract (if any) for the Local Economy and Parking Portfolio

Minutes:

The Forward Plan extract was noted.