Agenda item

To receive any questions from members of the public addressed to Members of the Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11. There is up to 5 minutes for each question, one supplementary question may be asked arising from the original question.

Questions must relate to any matter the Council has power or which affects the District except no questions may be asked on

a)    A specific planning or licensing application

b)    A specific staffing appointment or appeal or Standards determination

Public question time will last up to 30 minute; questions will be taken in order of receipt. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 29 October at 12 noon.

Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

A member of the public asked the following question: The Joint Strategic Committee on 9 th July agreed that an outline strategy on how the Council will work towards a carbon neutral target should be produced by January 2020 at the latest. This was followed by Adur Council accepting a petition of over 1000 residents and workers on the Climate Emergency at the council meeting on 18 th July and a commitment at the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September to set up a working group. Tomorrow is the start of November so my question is to request the Council to supply a progress update and details of what has been achieved so far regarding production of the strategy. The Leader of the Council responded that specialist consultants were currently undertaking detailed work to produce the Councils’ carbon reduction plan following the July declaration. This would show the practical actions required by the Councils to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Given the need for urgent action on climate change, The Joint Strategic Committee would be bringing forward the carbon reduction plan early, to the Joint Strategic Committee in December 2019.  The report would also include significant revisions to the Councils’ sustainable AW framework, which would help drive activity across a wide range of areas addressing climate change and environmental protection.

A member of the public asked the following question: The Sustainability AW states its aim to develop and implement a Carbon Reduction Action Plan towards the 2050 clean energy target. Can the council confirm that either it already uses or will investigate switching to one of the 3 electricity supply companies ( Ecotricity, Green Energy UK and Good Energy) for its council run buildings and services as a matter of urgency?  These suppliers have been given OFGEN enduring derogation from the price cap in recognition of their investment over and above in new renewable energy sources. The Executive Member for Resources replied that the Council’s electricity contracts were renewed in September this year and would be in place for the next two years. In light of the Councils declaring a climate emergency tenders were requested  for a renewable electricity supply.  This not only contributed to the Council’s commitment to reduce the Council’s carbon emission by 2030, but also sent a signal to the market and other local authorities of the Councils intent. As a result of this process the renewable electricity supply was split between NPower and SSE. The Councils used the LASER Energy Buying Consortium for the procurement of its energy. LASER is a consortium of local authorities and part of the Commercial Services Division, a company wholly owned by Kent County Council.

A member of the public asked the following question: My questions relate to the One Public Estate West Sussex Programme. Adur, as you are aware, is a partner in this programme together with NHS Property Services. Under this scheme WSCC are planning to redevelop the Pond Rd area and have applied to demolish Burrescroft. The plans include enhanced health facilities and a new library. It also adds that any surplus land be used for housing. This would be an ideal opportunity to include Social Care Homes and affordable retirement apartments. The apartments would be beneficial to the Council, allowing those who still wish to retain independent living to move into more suitable accommodation therefore releasing housing stock. The site is the last opportunity to build within the town for the elderly, offering on site medical care if required, nearby shopping and excellent transport links. This site would also comply with the Local Plan Policy 4.29 where the OAN report identifies a need for specialist retirement accommodation such as sheltered housing and extra care provision designed to meet the needs of older people. There may also be a requirement in the longer term to provide additional Registered Care (such as nursing and residential care homes). The provision of such housing in both affordable and market tenures, will be supported on appropriate sites close to local facilities. Would the Council agree? Can the Council advise on what discussions and plans have been held with WSCC in relation to this site? The Executive Member for Regeneration replied that In planning terms the site would be suitable for accommodation for the elderly but ultimately this would be a decision for the West Sussex County Council as they own the majority of the site. The Local Plan (Policy 11) allocates the site for ‘community uses, including a health centre and library, residential uses and a civic presence.’ The Council previously adopted a Development Brief for the wider Pond Road site incorporating the Community Centre and this suggested that residential development would help to deliver the community uses on the site and deliver public realm enhancements. It is likely that the landowner would still look for some form of enabling development to help deliver new community facilities and this may impact on the scope to deliver affordable retirement accommodation on the site. The Council has not seen any plans for the site from the County Council as it understands that various options are still being considered.  Whilst, it is encouraging that the County Council appears to be proceeding to demolish the building, it is disappointing that progress on a key town centre site is still very slow and Adur Council is doing all it can to encourage the County Council to bring this site forward for redevelopment as soon as possible.               

A Member of the public asked the following question: One of the findings in the Greater Brighton Business Survey 2019 commissioned by the Brighton Economic Board of which Adur is a member  that local transport is a significant concern particularly  congestion and parking. 58% of the 122 businesses consulted in Adur said these were important concerns affecting business performance and a constraint on growth and recruitment. Residents in the roads in Historic Shoreham and around the station are also concerned about congestion and parking.The recommendation in the report is that parking should be addressed as a priority. West Sussex County Council have a proposed transport strategy in place as per a briefing note to  Councillor Boram's motion at the last County Council meeting. What action will this Council take to address: Parking in roads particularly by non residents and encourage the use of car parks which are not full. Ensuring good traffic management particularly when temporary traffic lights are set up. Particularly to the forthcoming works on the Norfolk bridge Formulating incentives to encourage the use of public transport. Above all preserving the Historic nature of the town. The Executive member stated that the Council was conscious that the future development of Shoreham needs to balance its historical setting, enable people and to move with ease around the town and providing for much needed housing. While the question touches on areas within the District Council’s responsibility, there are also a number of areas which are under the remit of the County Council as the Highways and Transport Authority - for example the traffic management and temporary lights - which the Executive Member for Regeneration was unable to answer. West Sussex Council Council had a key role to play in this area as the Highways Authority with responsibility for on-street parking.  The County are currently undertaking a Road Space Audit in Shoreham. Based on the experience in other areas our expectation is that a series of workshops involving various local stakeholders will look at the space audits findings and other research to identify the future parking and traffic management and measures to encourage more sustainable transport across the town. It was hoped the process would begin by the end of the year. The Joint Strategic Committee was due to be presented with draft plans regarding the District future vision for Cycling and Walking. The Local Cycling and Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) will go through a public consultation but when finally adopted (early 2020) this document will be used to influence external investment into the network, supporting a modal shift towards active travel to reduce congestion and parking in our towns and villages. The Council worked closely with WSCC to ensure that all new developments encourage sustainable ways to travel.  In line with national planning policy the emphasis is on improving facilities for cycling and walking and encouraging less use of the private motor car.  All major developments are required to provide Transport Assessments and Travel Plans to demonstrate how the development would encourage sustainable transport and mitigate the impact of additional traffic on the road network.  Large scale developments provide development contributions to improve bus services and local facilities (including new bus stops and real time passenger information). The Council has a number of Conservation Areas in the town and Management Plans seek to identify opportunities to preserve and enhance the character of these historic areas.  Opportunities are identified to reduce street clutter and look at providing high quality public realm to enhance the appearance of these Conservation Areas. These Management Plans will be reviewed to ensure that they are kept up to date and ensure that further enhancement opportunities are identified and implemented.