The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2022 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

An apology for absence was reported from Councillor Swansborough.

Councillors Tutt declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 7 (Waste and recycling services - fleet)as a Director of South East Environmental Services Ltd (SEESL). He left the room for the duration of this item. Councillor Holt chaired the meeting for the duration of this item.

The Director of Service Delivery clarified that he would be presenting the report and responding to questions for agenda item 7 (Waste and recycling services - fleet), separate from his role as a SEESL Director.

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

(This report contains an exempt appendix. Any discussion of this must take place at item 9 following exclusion of the public.)

(Key decision):

(1) To upgrade the refuse and recycling collection vehicle (RCV) fleet from April 2023 with re-purposed vehicles, subject to approval by Full Council.

(2) To use renewable diesel as an alternative to regular diesel from April 2023, subject to due diligence.

(3) To procure an electric vehicle fleet for food waste collections from 2025 and subject to government New Burdens Funding support and depot upgrade, subject to a further report to Cabinet and Full Council supported by a business case.

(4) To install charging infrastructure at Courtlands Road depot to support the EV fleet (as part of an associated workstream subject to separate approvals).

(5) To secure ultra-low emission vehicles for the RCV fleet and street cleansing by 2030, to align with the council’s carbon neutral target, subject to a further report to Cabinet and Full Council supported by a business case.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery, introducing and seeking Cabinet’s approval for a replacement strategy for the waste and recycling fleet to circa 2035. This was against a backdrop of new and emerging technologies; alternative fuels and energy vectors; ageing vehicles and Eastbourne Carbon Neutral 2030. Further details were contained in the report.

Thanks were conveyed to the waste team for their work in producing the report.

Councillors Tutt declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a Director of South East Environmental Services Ltd (SEESL) that discussed the proposals and made recommendations to Cabinet. He left the room for the duration of this item. Councillor Holt chaired the meeting for the duration of this item.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To upgrade the refuse and recycling collection vehicle (RCV) fleet from April 2023 with re-purposed vehicles, subject to approval by Full Council.

(2) To use renewable diesel as an alternative to regular diesel from April 2023, subject to due diligence.

(3) To procure an electric vehicle fleet for food waste collections from 2025 and subject to government New Burdens Funding support and depot upgrade, subject to a further report to Cabinet and Full Council supported by a business case.

(4) To install charging infrastructure at Courtlands Road depot to support the EV fleet (as part of an associated workstream subject to separate approvals).

(5) To secure ultra-low emission vehicles for the RCV fleet and street cleansing by 2030, to align with the council’s carbon neutral target, subject to a further report to Cabinet and Full Council supported by a business case.

Reason for decisions:

Recommendations to Cabinet for waste recycling and street cleansing vehicle procurement required from 2023, with associated adaptations at the depot to support ambitions to decarbonise the fleet by 2030.