Agenda item

This report updates Cabinet on the Greater Brighton Economic Board draft Covid-19 Sustainable Recovery Plan and the Council’s support for the 10 Pledges to the Environment.

The Chairman introduced this item reminding Councillors that as the Council’s nominate Outside Body representative on the Greater Brighton Economic Board, he and the Chief Executive regularly attended Board meetings.  The last had been on 19 October 2020 where the very topical issue of sustainability in a COVID recovery phase had been discussed and he referred Councillors to the report that had been provided as an Appendix. All the Members of the Board had been invited to confirm their support for the 10 pledges of the Board, which had been outlined in Paragraph 1.9. 

Councillor Dr Walsh had confirmed the Council’s support to these pledges as they aligned with many of the Council’s principles for future sustainability.  It is anticipated that the Council would shortly have an Officer in place to take the Council forward on these matters. He then asked the Committee Services Manager to play a short video provided by the Board as he felt that this would be of interest to Members.  The link to this video had also been set out within the report. 

Various comments were made on the presentation received:

·         In terms of mitigation measures Members were delighted to see carbon capturing kelp forests off the Worthing coast and felt that this was a step in the right direction in addressing climate change issues

·         On rewilding, an increase in natural landscapes was supported

·          All ten points were classed as a good starting point in addressing the climate emergency

·         Zero omission fleets were vital 

·         Supportive of measures – refers to enhancing and supp of tourism crucial to local econ – diversifying what we are doing locally –

·         Good actions around talent management real focused actions vital thing to focus on in view of current pandemic

·         Grey water recycling was felt to be an area that this Council needed to start exploring now.  It was hoped that with new strategic sites this could be examined further as water resources were becoming scares and it was acknowledged that this would become a real problem with climate change

·         Energy efficiency in all housing to be built to encourage energy generation was a priority

·         It was felt that the presentation had not addressed the real issue of energy generation and the generation of electricity. The use of the River Arun was sited as an opportunity that should be used to energy generation along with wind farms and other hydro mechanisms

·         There was no mention from Government sources to use the power of the sea.  As an island this was a gift to be used as waves and tidal action was a prime source of free energy all around Britain and needed to be exploited with lobbying being undertaken for the necessary research into this to be escalated. 

In summing up the points made, the Chairman suggested that a comment be added to the recommendation which was that the Council would like to see greater reference in the future to electricity generation by sustainable means using tidal and hydro in the Greater Brighton area.

            The Cabinet, then

                        RESOLVED

That the Greater Brighton Economic Board Sustainable Recovery Plan and Arun District Council’s commitment to this be noted with the Council wishing to see greater reference in the future to electricity generation by sustainable means using tidal and hydro in the Greater Brighton area.

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/039/14122020, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.