Issue - items at meetings - Chair's Communications

17.1               Councillor West provided the following Communication:

‘I’m glad to report that Southern Water is now starting to roll out its free domestic water meter programme in Portslade and this will extend to the rest of the city over the coming year.  This is part of a five year programme in the south-east, a region regarded as at serious ‘water stress’. The city is especially vulnerable, as all our water comes from downland acquifers, and as members will know, before the summer rains, we were in a worrying deep drought. I understand that 55% of the cities households are unmetered, yet meters generally result in a10% water saving by users. Also the meters to be installed will be intelligent and help with leak detection. So altogether, we stand to see a considerable improvement in water efficiency, a good contribution to our plan to become a One Planet City’.

‘Utilize, a two day workshop event to help local small and medium sized businesses achieve savings and improve their green credentials through improving their efficient management of energy, water and waste, will be taking place at Brighton Marina from today until 24 October.  With the guidance of resource efficiency experts and businesses swapping their own tips, the aim is to develop action plans of practical improvements.  This is a joint event by the Sustainable Business Partnership with the City Council, Visit Brighton and the Marina.  Earlier this year I was delighted to be able to attend a Utilize workshop in the Jubilee Library, and saw for myself the great deal of value local businesses were gaining from the day’.

‘An initial draft of a 3-year One Planet Living Sustainability Action Plan, which aims to create a more sustainable city and council is going to the council’s One Planet Board, chaired by the interim chief executive next week. It is designed to meet the challenging targets required to secure endorsement for Brighton & Hove as the first One Planet City from independent sustainable development charity, Bioregional. Bioregional are impressed with the first draft and think it sets us up not only for endorsement but for actual and practical low-impact living and working in the city. I’m sure you will agree this is a heartening start and share my thanks to all concerned. I look forward to the draft going to Policy & Resource in November for approval to consult’.

‘Our fledging community composting schemes are growing fast within the City, with 6 projects now on the go.  This is all thanks to keen community volunteers backed by our officers at City Clean and the Food Partnership.  The first compost from the North Laine scheme has been harvested, and is being used at Middle Street School and in Preston Park demonstration growing plot.  There are now 240 households, and rising, composting their food waste this way, which can mean up to 20 tonnes of waste being diverted per year’.

‘Eco Open Houses is back for its 5th year, running from 25 to 28 October. 20 homes will be open with eight new houses showcasing how to save money, be more energy efficient and stay warm this winter’.

‘To celebrate the recent improvements to many of our playgrounds, City Parks, Play Development, Active for Life, and Sports Development are running a programme of fun events across the cities parks during Halloween half-term week’.  

‘Finally, further to our discussions at last committee about potential visits, I have arranged with Veolia a tour of the new incinerator at Newhaven.  I have already visited the facility, which whatever one thinks of this method of waste handling is an impressive installation. I hope members will be keen to attend’.