Agenda and minutes

Nominations are sought for a Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Babarinde, nominated by Councillor Huran Miah and seconded by Councillor Morris, as Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved that Councillor Babarinde be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

None were received.

There were none.

On matters not already included on the agenda and for which prior written notice has been given (total time allowed 15 minutes).

There were none.

The Chairman to notify the Committee of any items of urgent business to be added to the agenda.

There were none.

The Chairman to report any requests received to address the Committee from a member of the public or from a Councillor in respect of an item listed below and to invite the Committee to consider taking such items at the commencement of the meeting.

There were no requests.

The Chair, Councillor Shore, introduced the report and outlined the background to the request from Full Council, for the Scrutiny Committee to meet representatives from Gatwick Airport and discuss the Airport's Carbon Neutral accreditation and the effect of the development of the Northern Runway on Eastbourne Borough Council's Carbon Neutral pledge for 2030. Councillor Shore also outlined the procedure for the meeting.

Representatives from Gatwick Airport; Tim Norwood (Chief Planning Officer and Director of Corporate Affairs, Planning and Sustainability),

Jonathan Deegan (Northern Runway Programme DCO Lead), Mark Edwards (Head of Sustainability) and Alison Addy (Head of External Policy and Engagement), addressed the committee and provided a presentation (appended to the minutes and available on the Council’s website).

The Committee was updated on the background to Gatwick achieving level 3+ Airport Carbon Accreditation and its work towards plans for development of its Northern runway, including: Jobs, growth and community benefits; environmental mitigation and reaching net zero; and the Airport’s progress towards obtaining a Development Consent Order from government for the Northern Runway.

Following the presentation, Members discussed the points raised and the representatives responded to a number of questions:

·       The reduction of emissions from the 1990 baseline had been achieved through purchasing renewable electricity through certified providers (Including removal of gas and gas boilers), introducing electric charging points in the Airport carparks for staff and customer vehicles and an overall focus on reducing electricity usage. The information on the emissions levels was available on the Gatwick Airport Ltd website.

·       An economic analysis was being undertaken at the regional and ‘five authorities’ level, and would include an assessment of the labour market. Gatwick Airport Ltd had not experienced difficulties in recruiting staff. It would be difficult to predict the employment growth in Eastbourne borough as a result of the Northern Runway development. A prediction at East Sussex level could be provided.

·       Gatwick’s Airport Service Access strategy would be key in identifying how Gatwick worked with other airports and businesses, to ensure that sustainable travel plans were in place. The Airport’s aim was to reach 60 % of people accessing the Airport by sustainable transport. Travel discounts, electric car charging points and car-sharing were available for staff at the Airport. A forecourt surcharge had been introduced for pick-ups and drop-offs, with the aim of encouraging customers to use public transport. A proportion of the income from the charge was reinvested in sustainable projects at the Airport, such as an improved and larger railway station and an electric vehicle charging station.

·       The answers to the questions requested by Members prior to the meeting had been included in the presentation and would be provided as a written response also.

·       Current legislation did not allow for the Airport to refuse the use of aircraft that were not clean in terms of the type of fuel used. However, a differential charging rate was used to encourage and incentivise airlines to use renewable fuel in their aircraft. The Airport was working with a number of airlines on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To note that the next scheduled meeting of the Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to be held on the 6 February 2023 in the Court Room, Town Hall, Eastbourne commencing at 6:00pm.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Scrutiny Committee was  6 February 2023 at 6:00pm.