Agenda item

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Linington

(Key decision):

(1) To agree match-funding of up to £5,000 for the provision of drinking water at Newhaven skate park.

(2) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, to conduct a desk-based feasibility study for the potential of free drinking water provision within council-owned parks and in other public places within Lewes district, working with partners and stakeholders.

(3) To agree to support the national ‘Refill’ campaign through social media and as appropriate.

(4) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, to develop guidance for developers on the provision of underground bins, as part of the wider sustainability planning policy review.

(5) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Impact, to bid for funding, supported by an appropriate business case, to invest in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology and infrastructure, working with partners and other local authorities.

(6) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Impact, to prepare a Sustainability Policy, to provide a framework for council activities for agenda item 15 consideration and approval at Cabinet later in the year.

(7) To note the launch and progress to date of the ‘Single-Use Plastics’ project.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning, seeking approval for a series of environmental initiatives as outlined in recent discussions with Councillors.

Councillor Smith thanked visiting member, Councillor Rowell for initiating discussions regarding these proposals. This report would be the start of multiple reports that would be considered by Cabinet and cover a range of environmental initiatives.

Visiting member, Councillor Rowell enquired about the fountains for Lewes Skate Park. It was confirmed that discussions were continuing with the Environment Agency.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To agree match-funding of up to £5,000 for the provision of drinking water at Newhaven skate park.

(2) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, to conduct a desk-based feasibility study for the potential of free drinking water provision within council-owned parks and in other public places within Lewes district, working with partners and stakeholders.

(3) To agree to support the national ‘Refill’ campaign through social media and as appropriate.

(4) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, to develop guidance for developers on the provision of underground bins, as part of the wider sustainability planning policy review.

(5) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Impact, to bid for funding, supported by an appropriate business case, to invest in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology and infrastructure, working with partners and other local authorities.

(6) To authorise the Strategy & Partnership Lead, Quality Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Impact, to prepare a Sustainability Policy, to provide a framework for council activities for agenda item 15 consideration and approval at Cabinet later in the year.

(7) To note the launch and progress to date of the ‘Single-Use Plastics’ project.

Reasons for decisions:

(1) The need for drinking water provision at skate parks has been identified by users of the skate parks, but there are insufficient funds within the project budget to allow for the installation costs of the water supply at this site.

(2) Additional drinking water provision could be made available to the general public in areas of high foot traffic, for example shopping precincts and parks. This will support various initiatives currently prominent in the political and public arena including the reduction of single use plastics and promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

(3) The ‘Refill’ campaign, described in paragraph 1.2, has arrived in Lewes district through community activism.

(4) Underground bins installed as a method of communal waste collection within a significant residential development could be considered for viability, if the guidance were in place.

(5) A charging point feasibility study will provide for an evaluation of the opportunities available to Lewes District Council (LDC) with regards to EV charging on its own estate in light of the national move towards the provision of this infrastructure and Cabinet-approved changes to LDC planning guidance in support of EV charging facilities.

(6) The adoption of a set of guiding principles in the form of an overarching Sustainability Policy would bring Lewes DC into line with many other councils nationally. The policy would support planning policy and guidance, guide procurement decisions, potentially reduce costs with regards to energy and waste (through staff education and project initiatives) and generally work to ensure the council has ‘its own house in order’ before guiding others.

(7) The Single-Use Plastic (SUP) project started in May as a result of the Council’s aim to become SUP free where it is reasonable to do so by 31 December 2018.