Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 11

The Committee had a report before it, attached as item 11, which had been circulated to all Members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes.

This report set out background information on the Portfolio of the Adur Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure to enable the Committee to consider and question the Cabinet Member on issues within their portfolio and any other issues which the Cabinet Member was involved in or connected with the work of the Council and the Adur communities.

A Member asked, “Since the percentage of the population in Adur who are active has still not returned to pre covid levels and given the context of the complex relationship this council has with our public leisure centres and the provision of concessions, alongside the impending funding reductions from central govt, how will the cabinet member for leisure ensure that this figure of active people in Adur continues to rise and that our residents have continued opportunities for exercise and leisure?”

Members were informed that whilst the Council continued to work in partnership with South Downs Leisure Trust to provide sport experiences across Leisure Centres, the Council was also keen to improve ‘every day activities’ that would help with the defined activity levels. 

For example, the Council was exploring ways of improving walking and cycling across the District, and the introduction of a bike hire scheme had contributed towards increasing activity levels. Other aspects included how to manage and work in partnership with communities to improve access to and from open spaces - with access to the sea and the south downs. These, combined with open spaces, were seen as vitally important contributors towards a healthier lifestyle. 

Adur was also blessed with a range and depth of activities led by community groups, whether traditional in the shape of sports clubs (e.g. football, basketball, tennis, fitness etc) or more ‘informal’ such as running clubs, open air swimming etc. The Council continued to provide other leisure assets to the community to support these, including tennis courts, sport pavilions, bowling greens and grassed pitches. 

Finally, the Council continued to deliver Wellbeing Hubs in Adur; a face to face service as well as online and telephone one to ones to support people with: Smoking cessation, Alcohol reduction, Falls prevention activities, Physical activity options, Healthy weight tips and Cardiovascular and Pre-diabetes information. 

All these elements showed the Council’s commitment to improving the activity levels across the District, notwithstanding the motivation and dedication of individuals, groups, organisations, partners, businesses who are also helping to support this important topic.

A Member asked “Given that the Beach Green toilet block is still standing and that the consultation exercise planned for last year has yet to go ahead, what are the plans to ensure that the public loos are fit for purpose in 2024, pending any possible redevelopment, please?”

Members were informed the Council was still keen to explore the provision  of new toilet facilities at Beach Green as part of any development at that site. In the meantime they would manage the existing facilities as best they could.

They were also working with officers on reviewing the provision of public toilets across the district which would enable them to prioritise sites for investment.  

A Member asked “Are beach patrols planned for the 2024 summer season and, if so, what will the service look like, please?”

Members were informed the Council trialled the delivery of a coastal service in Adur over the summer holidays the previous year. They were currently assessing the outcomes and impacts from last season and had started assessing, with appropriate Officers - notably the Coastal Team, what a service could look like for 2024 and at what cost. At this stage nothing had been confirmed but they were certainly considering the options for 2024. 

A Member asked, “Almost every year at this time Southern Water instals emergency over pumping equipment along the middle of Grinstead Lane. This year it was installed on November 3rd, much earlier than previous years. It's clear the problems are getting worse over time.

At Manor Close they have similar issues but rather than overpumping, lorries come back and forth taking away the wastewater to the treatment works.

The inline diesel pumps are loud and polluting and this is creating intolerable living conditions for residents living in the vicinity. On Grinstead Lane due to the blocked right turns, standing traffic is backing up. Residents on Mash Barn estate and the New Monks Farm estate are all forced to use Mash Barn Lane exit. 

There doesn't appear to be any long term plan in place by either Southern Water or the County Council who are the lead flood authority. So my questions are:

Since the District Council is responsible for monitoring air pollution, is it doing any?

Could the District Council facilitate a stakeholder forum to discuss long term solutions?”

Members were informed there was already Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) monitoring in the vicinity of Grinstead Lane.

The raw data for 2023 showed levels remained similar to those in 2022, but were below the current national guideline values where they would be required to take action. The 2024 Annual Status Report would contain the final data which would have been bias adjusted as per national guidance. This report wouldn't be available until July.

The addition of a couple of generators was unlikely to have a widespread impact so adding NO2 diffusion tube monitoring further south would not show levels significantly different to those already being collected at the existing locations. Regular meetings with Southern Water were held and would raise this issue with them at the next scheduled meeting to see what was happening, why and if a longer term, more sustainable solution was being sought.