Agenda item

To receive the attached questions from Members under Rules 4a.8(b) – 4a.13:

(a)  Question from Councillor Philip Circus: The question is in relation to the provision of MOT services at the Depot

(b)  Question from Councillor Claudia Fisher: The question is in relation to the Local Plan and the Climate Action Strategy

(a)  Councillor Philip Circus asked Councillor Jay Mercer, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling & Waste the following question:

“When I was the portfolio holder for waste issues at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, we introduced a scheme whereby councillors, staff and the public could book in vehicles for MOT tests when there was spare capacity at the depot.   Will the Cabinet member give consideration to a similar scheme at Horsham as it would not only be a benefit to those making use of the scheme but a potential additional source of revenue?”

            The Cabinet Member replied:

“Horsham District Council has, in the past, considered the possibility of providing an MOT service and had discounted in on the basis that it would be cost prohibitive.  We would need to invest around £50,000 in new equipment, employ a qualified MOT inspector and also additional administrative resource to co-ordinate the service.  It has never been considered that this would deliver a satisfactory financial return.  Space is also quite tight in the Depot, and as such a service would probably take out one of our bays for a significant period each year, it would impact on our ability to maintain the existing Council fleet.

That said, we are always keen to look at opportunities to maximise the use of our assets and generate income we are currently working on a plan to require all Horsham District Council licensed taxis to have their six monthly vehicle safety checks undertaken by our mechanics at the Depot.  This will deliver a financial return, and if we consider that there could be opportunities to further expand this service, we will certainly investigate the costs and potential income.”

            Councillor Circus asked the following supplementary question:

“Would the Cabinet Member be willing, as part of this issue, to talk to other local authorities, including Reigate and Banstead if they are still operating this scheme to see what their experience is? Will he confirm that long run is not another way of saying the issues are being kicked into the long grass?”

The Cabinet Member replied:

“Of course, always happy to look at experience elsewhere and good practice elsewhere and learn from it. Reigate and Banstead are relatively near and I’m happy to go and talk that through with them. I am not seeking to kick it into the log grass, I’m simply seeking to say that it depends on the circumstances and the financial benefits and therefore I can not say now yes we will or no we will not.”

Councillor Circus thanked the Cabinet Member for their responses.

(b)  Councillor Claudia Fisher asked Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure the following question:

“Will the current administration reassure us that the quality of the build in the new Local Plan will be consistent with the Climate Action Strategy for HDC?”

The Cabinet Member replied:

“I can confirm that the preparation of the Local Plan is indeed taking into account the Council’s Climate Action Strategy.

In preparing the Local Plan, officers in strategic planning have worked very closely the Environmental Coordination Manager. This has included joint work on the Council’s climate change evidence base, and close collaboration during policy development to ensure that local plan policies reflect our wider corporate objectives on climate change. The Local Plan policies remain a work in progress, although of course will come before you all very soon. However, I can say in advance, it is envisaged they will include net zero related requirements in terms of both energy use and design and construction methods. They will also seek to ensure that any development that comes forward is able to adapt to and cope with the climate changes we are already observing. In addition, other policies such as those regarding biodiversity will help deliver opportunities for carbon sequestration as well as addressing the ecological emergency that we are all facing.

It is important to say that the Local Plan policies represent a significant step forward in ensuring that new development is built to the highest possible environmental standards, but at the same time we are having to work in the context of continually moving targets and deadlines from the Government. It is very difficult to know when important legislation will be enacted, or if it will be enacted, such as the Future Home Standard for eco-building, which in theory, should apply from 2025. This continues to cause redrafting, even at this late stage.  Beyond the Local Plan and looking to the future, there will be more work that the strategic planning and other Council officers will need to undertake to ensure that climate change measures are integrated into new developments. In particular, it is our intention to follow the approach set by Cornwall County Council in requiring developments to go above and beyond the Government’s Future Home Standard, and if we succeed in this, it will be one of the best, and most exemplary schemes in the country. As this requires us to prepare a significant evidence base, via a process that could take 12-18 months, we will look to bring it in after this Local Plan is approved in the form of a future planning policy document, together with a supplementary planning document. This assumes of course that that Government does not change the rules of Supplementary Planning Documents, as it threatens to do so, or indeed other vital policy matters.”

Councillor Fisher thanked that Cabinet Member for his reply, and asked the following supplementary question:

“I was pleased to see there are some aspects of build quality mentioned in the Council Plan and had a commitment to setting high environmental standards including net zero buildings, green gaps and addressing water neutrality. I would like to put a request in to the administration, that is open to listening, growing and learning, that net zero living could be added to that list and that in advance of the Local Plan building specifications being set as you described, if all Members could have a briefing on the building specification plan. I’m sure many of us would like to know the details, for example when solar PV panels, heat pumps and sufficient insulation will be standard requirements.”

The Cabinet Member replied:

“I am not sure that net zero living would be entirely a Local Plan matter, but we can talk about separately. I want to try and get a draft of this part of the Local Plan to Members in advance of the meeting on 11 December. It is not ready yet, but I do hope to circulate it as soon as it practicably possible so that you have a chance to input but there should be a certain amount we could tell you straight away.”

Councillor Fisher thanked the Cabinet Member for their response, and stated that it was reassuring that the administration was resolute in its commitment to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, with these actions.