Minutes:
Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader noted that work continues to progress the food waste trial and participating residents will be written to in July and Members will have a briefing on the subject, with further comms being issued soon after. He confirmed that it will be a ‘3-2-1 trial’ with food collected weekly, recycling collected fortnightly, and the residual waste collected every 3 weeks. The food waste will be taken to Basingstoke to be bio digested. Further composition analysis and benchmarking will also take place and the Council is continuing to push important alternatives such as home composting and alternative plastic recycling. In terms of garden waste, the Council is nearing 23000 users which is the current capacity so ways to expand this are being investigated.
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Net Zero
The Cabinet Member provided feedback from his attendance at the West Sussex Joint Climate Change Board Meeting where key items being discussed included an update on how West Sussex Local Authorities are proceeding towards the decarbonisation of their estates, and how we can work together on carbon off-setting and sequestration. He reported that Mid Sussex will be looking to our prospective refreshed District Plan to feature new and enhanced policies in this area. During the meeting he also suggested that work was needed to look at what reasonable measures we all should be taking to make our areas more resilient to climate change. For example, flooding, water resilience, increased temperatures affecting homes and workplaces and energy consumption, and its impact upon our species. In response to a Member’s request to work with the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), he confirmed that SDNPA is part of the West Sussex Joint Climate Change Board.
Regarding the Burgess Hill Growth Area, he confirmed that the Green Circle is 99% done and the Green Links are 97% done, both due to complete this month and reflecting a huge investment into Burgess Hill and partnership working with West Sussex and Homes England resulting in a superb network of cycling and walking pathways around and into the town. West Sussex are now about to commence their large projects to enhance the linkages and sustainable transport experience around some of the town centre. He acknowledged a Member’s concern that there will be disruption in Burgess Hill when the roads are dug up for the place and connectivity programme and noted comments that West Sussex County Council needed to be better at the communication around this disruption. However, he noted the long-term gain to be had from the works.
In relation to the Economy, he confirmed that the Micro Business Grant scheme is open for bids and urged Members to promote them to local businesses. He also noted that the Council supported the Burgess Hill Business Park Association’s STEM week with local schools and will be supporting the forthcoming Haywards Heath STEM challenge.
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parking
The Cabinet Member noted that the three leisure centres are increasing their membership and the number of visits continues to rise. It is now around 70% of pre covid levels and in a good position to achieve the target of 400000 visitors and 11000 members in this fiscal year. She confirmed that there is a revised management income of £600,000 in this fiscal year and Officers are negotiating the management income for the next financial year. Places Leisure have also identified a number of decarbonisation projects which subject to funding being available they would like to progress.
Regarding parking service data, this is 21% up on last year's figures. Season tickets also saw an increase but remain at 43% compared to the pre covid period.
Regarding the first phase of the electric vehicle charging point project with West Sussex, phase one is nearly complete. 66 charging points have been installed in Council car parks and Connected Curb are preparing a list of potentially viable other locations, with plans to install some in disabled bays as well.
In response to a question on enforcement when petrol/diesel cars park in the charging spaces, the Cabinet Member noted that enforcement takes place in the same way as for other bad parking. She agreed to provide further information on when patrols could take place in the Hurstpierpoint Trinity Road car park. She also agreed to respond in writing to Members on the current position with the charging point in Cyprus Road which is not currently working.
The Chairman took Members to a vote on whether to extend the meeting past 10pm which was lost with 15 in favour, 26 against and 1 abstention.
Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member reminded Members of a programme of free play days across the District during the summer. He reminded Councillors of the new Integrated Care System (ICS) coming into place on 1 July to replace the Clinical Commissioning Groups in Mid Sussex. The ICS is beginning engagement exercises across Mid Sussex from Friday 1 July.
He also was pleased to note the Armed Forces commemorative events held recently across the district, as well as the many Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Cabinet Member for Planning
The Cabinet Member noted that training sessions have run for Planning Committee Members. The session on Planning Enforcement was open to all Members and slides from this session will be circulated to Members.