Agenda for Sustainability Cabinet Committee on Friday, 8th May, 2009, 3.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 208 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Tanya Massey, Acting Senior Democratic Services Officer
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Procedural Business
(b) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the exempt categories is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 43A Declarations of Interest
43a.1 There were none.
43B Exclusion of Press and Public
43b.1 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (‘the Act’), the Sustainability Cabinet Committee considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press or public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100I(1) of the Act).
43b.2 RESOLVED - That the press and public be not excluded from the meeting. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2009 (copy attached). Minutes: 44.1 RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2009 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
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Chairman's Communications Minutes: 45.1 There were none. |
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Items reserved for discussion (a) Items reserved by the Members of the Cabinet Committee
(b) Items reserved by the Opposition Spokespeople
(c) Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Chairman.
NOTE: Public Questions, Written Questions from Councillors, Petitions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically. Minutes: 46.1 RESOLVED - That all the items be reserved for discussion. |
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Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 30 April 2009)
No public questions received by date of publication. Minutes: 47.1 There were none. |
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Written Questions from Councillors No written questions have been received. Minutes: 48.1 There were none. |
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Deputations (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 30 April 2009)
No deputations received by date of publication. Minutes: 49.1 There were none. |
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Petitions No petitions received by date of publication. Minutes: 50.1 There were none. |
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Letters from Councillors No letters have been received. Minutes: 51.1 There were none. |
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Notices of Motion No Notices of Motion have been received. Minutes: 52.1 There were none. |
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Review of City Food Strategy Report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 1. That Sustainability Cabinet Committee note the review is being undertaken and encourage participation amongst council officers where relevant. Minutes: 53.1 The Cabinet Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance concerning a review of the Brighton & Hove Food Strategy and Action Plan beingundertaken by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership (for copy see minute book).
53.2 The Sustainability Officer with responsibility for this area was pleased to announce that the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership had been successful in their application to the Big Lottery ‘Local Food’ fund for a Beacon grant of £500,000. The funding would help support ‘Harvest Brighton & Hove’, a partnership project co-ordinating a city-wide approach to producing and consuming food.
53.3 Councillor Steedman welcomed the review and hoped it would highlight where more work could be done. He felt that issues remained around sustainable procurement and that the staff and civic catering contract was an example of an opportunity where the council can take steps in the right direction.
53.4 In response to queries from Councillor Caulfield the Sustainability Officer explained that Harvest Brighton & Hove would include projects looking to work with Tenant Associations wishing to grow food on small areas of land. She also advised that while national legislation meant that profit cannot be made from selling surplus food grown on allotments, any money made can go back into a charity or not-for-profit organisation.
53.5 The Chairman requested a report to the Cabinet Committee on the specific issues around Tenant Associations growing food on housing land.
53.6 In response to questions from Councillor Fallon-Khan on obesity in young people the Sustainability Officer explained that the problem stretched wider than nutritional values of school meals, but working with children on cooking and growing food through the Food for Life Partnership would help to address these issues.
53.7 The Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy confirmed that the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership would be asked to address the issues raised during the review.
53.8 RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations be accepted:
(1) That Sustainability Cabinet Committee note the review is being undertaken and encourage participation amongst council officers where relevant. |
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Taking Forward the Sustainable Communities Act - proposals and community involvement Report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 1. That the Sustainability Cabinet Committee notes the work being carried out by the Council and its partners to generate and assess proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act. Minutes: 54.1 The Cabinet Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance concerning arrangements for taking forward the Sustainable Communities Act (for copy see minute book).
54.2 The Chairman welcomed Councillor Simson to the meeting to introduce the report.
54.3 Councillor Simson reported that twenty proposals had been received and were currently being assessed for eligibility before the Local Panel met the following week. The ultimate decision on any proposals rested with the Secretary of State. Councillor Simson added that the council expected the Secretary of State to call for more proposals on a regular basis.
54.4 Councillor Steedman acknowledged the cross-party support for this initiative and was assured by Councillor Simson that ineligible proposals will be passed to the relevant Cabinet Member of department and that any proposals approved by the Local Panel will have to be ratified by the Cabinet.
54.5 RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations be accepted:
(1) That the Sustainability Cabinet Committee notes the work being carried out by the Council and its partners to generate and assess proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act. |
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Sustainability in the Comprehensive Area Assessment Presentation from the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy. Minutes: 55.1 The Cabinet Committee received a presentation on Sustainability in the Comprehensive Area Assessment for the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy.
55.2 In response to queries from Councillor Steedman in relation to the Local Area Agreement indicator on per capita CO2 emissions the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy explained that as it was an issue concerning the city as a whole, the City Sustainability Partnership would look into it and draw up an action plan.
55.3 Councillor Fallon-Khan commented that the Administration had had some enormous challenges to face around the use of resources, but that sustainability had been at the heart of achieving the council’s highest ever score from the Audit Commission.
55.4 RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted. |
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Climate Connections Verbal update from the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy. Minutes: 56.1 The Cabinet Committee considered a presentation on the Climate Connections partnership project from the Sustainability Co-ordinator and representatives from the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre (BPEC).
56.2 The Sustainability Co-ordinator explained that Climate Connections was a joint project with Oxfam and the BPEC focussed on raising awareness of climate change across the world and encouraging residents to take advantage of existing initiatives within the city. The project would be funded by a successful application £183,000.
56.3 Ruth England, Education Co-ordinator for the BPEC explained that the funding would go towards a photographic exhibition, an interactive website, workshops and a new member of staff for the BPEC.
56.4 The Chairman requested that the Cabinet Committee received a regular report from the BPEC.
56.5 RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted. |
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Report of the City Sustainability Partnership To note the draft minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2009 (copy attached). Minutes: 57.1 The Cabinet Committee considered the draft minutes of the City Sustainability Partnership (CSP) held on 6 April 2009 (for copy see minute book.
57.2 Councillor Steedman queried why discussions regarding the CSP considering issues around peak oil had not been included in the draft minutes.
57.3 The Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy confirmed that he would ensure that the minutes contain all discussions before they are finalised.
57.4 RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted. |