Agenda item

The Chairman reminded the Members of the importance of net zero targets.

Sally Blomfield, Assistant Director for Planning and Sustainable Economy introduced the report; and reminded Members that the Council agreed a Sustainable Economy Strategy and Action Plan in April 2022.  She noted that there are 7 in the strategy to achieve a reduction in carbon emission. One action is to create a net zero carbon programme and the commissioned work from Ricardo will inform the Council’s actions and officers have considered issues that would impact the deliverability of the targets.  She highlighted that the Council only has control of 2.6% of their own emissions and very little over the district wide emissions. The Council is reliant on national legislation and activities to achieve its net zero ambitions.  She noted the error in numbering the recommendations.

Cllr Stephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Net Zero noted his approval of the report before the committee and thanked the officers and consultants for their hard work.  He cautioned that the Council must be pragmatic as the emissions form Mid Sussex are just a small part of a global issue, but the United Kingdom should be leaders in achieving net zero.  The Council is reliant on the Government’s guidance to tackle emissions from energy production and transport, and emerging technology will play a major part. 

In response to a Member’s question, the Deputy Chief Executive noted that the Committee had been asked to agree to recommend to Council the 3 targets, as each target deals with a different aspect.

A Member thanked the officers for the comprehensive report and asked for clarification of the areas identified on the map on page 262.

The Assistant Director identified the waste treatment plant at Goddard’s Green; noting increased investment to convert waste products to energy, other areas denoted energy from solar.

Members discussed sustainable transport, the location of parking enforcement officers, the food waste trial and queried how the pilot would be judged. Concern was expressed on tree coverage, and the national statistics on population growth and housing targets set by Government.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the food waste pilot has a clear success criterion for evaluating the trail.  Updates on the trail will go to the scrutiny committee at various stages of the pilot. It was noted that it was too early in the trial to provide a useful update. She noted the Council’s good track record on recycling. For sustainable growth in the economy, population growth is important, and the number of houses do not directly correlate to the number of people in the District.  The Assistant Director noted that the use of electric vehicles by parking enforcement officers could be considered at the next stage of the project, a programme will be established on how the objectives will be met and she highlighted that there are 50 actions sitting within the Action Plan of the Sustainable Economy Strategy.  

In response to a query on licences for gas exploration, the Deputy Chief Executive advised it was too early to say what impact the lifting on any moratorium would have on achieving net zero targets.  Phil Whiting, Interim Sustainability Officer commented that the Scrutiny Report sets out the programme for the periodic re-baselining of emissions as it will be necessary to keep them under review.

Cllr Marsh thanked a Member for their question, as Chairman of the Planning Committee he advised that the Planning Inspector has to decide whether they uphold the decision of WSCC to refuse the licence for fracking. He noted that most licenses for fracking in Mid Sussex are in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Head of Planning Policy and Housing Enabling noted that under paragraph 176 of the NPPF National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Broads have the highest protection.

A Member wanted to put on record their thanks to the officers and Ricardo for the work to establish a good evidence base for the net zero targets for Mid Sussex; they highlighted that the Council’s policy must be flexible and adaptable.  The Chairman also thanked the officers for their hard work. 

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Committee to the recommendations which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That the Scrutiny Committee:

(i) Considers and comments on the following recommended net zero targets:

a. A District-wide net zero target aligned to the national target.

b. A Council-only net zero target of 2040 for emissions the Council can directly    control.

c. A Council-only net zero target aligned to the national target for emissions the Council can only indirectly influence.

(ii) Recommends to Council that the recommended net zero targets be approved.