Agenda for Sustainability Cabinet Committee on Friday, 25th March, 2011, 3.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 206 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Tanya Davies Acting Democratic Services Manager
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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 either that it is confidential or 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 categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 49(a) Declarations of Interests 49a.1 Councillor Fallon-Khan declared a personal, but non-prejudicial, interest in Item 60, a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning the City Food Strategy review and revision, as he was a member of the City Food Partnership. 49(b) Exclusion of Press and Public 49b.1 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Cabinet Member 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 business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and 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(I) of the Act). 49b.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 9 February 2011 (copy attached). Additional documents: Minutes: 50.1 RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2011 be approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:
(i) the replacement of the word ‘Baker’ with ‘Barker’ at paragraph 42.5.
50.2 The following comments were made in response to matters arising from the minutes highlighted by Councillor Steedman:
§ In relation to the forthcoming review of Feed In Tariffs (FIT), the Chairman reported that she had met with the Minister for Energy & Climate Change, Greg Barker MP, to discuss the Brighton & Hove programme and that he would soon visit the city to discuss the council’s proposals in more detail. § In relation to the Richmond Parade improvement scheme, the Chairman advised that officers had recently completed a further review to consider the levels of traffic. There was no issue with the scheme itself, but it was necessary to consider the effects on the surrounding areas and she would provide more information on the timetable for work as soon as it was available. She invited Councillor Steedman to attend the Cabinet meeting on 7 April 2011 where a presentation of the new transport model would be received. |
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Chairman's Communications Minutes: 51.1 The Chairman advised that Councillor Harmer-Strange was present to take part in the debate, but was not a voting member of the Cabinet Committee.
51.2 The Chairman paid tribute to Councillor Steedman, who would be standing down as a councillor at the local elections in May. She thanked him for his knowledgeable contributions to the Cabinet Committee and wished him good luck in his future challenges.
51.3 The Chairman advised that the council would again be participating in and promoting WWF Earth Hour, taking place on 26 March 2011. Lights would be turned off all over the world at 8.30pm and a significant number of council buildings were expected to participate in addition to incidental street lighting. The council’s healthwalks team had organised a Seafront Torch walk from the Bandstand to the Pier and back, and would be joined by The Blatchington Mill School Samba band and The Big Mouth Community Choir. |
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Items reserved for discussion (a) Items reserved by the Members of the Cabinet Committee
(b) Items reserved by the Opposition Spokespersons
(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: 52.1 RESOLVED – That all items be reserved for discussion. |
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Petitions No petitions have been received. Minutes: 53.1 There were none. |
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Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 18 March 2011)
No public questions received by date of publication. Minutes: 54.1 There were none. |
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Deputations (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 18 March 2011)
No deputations received by date of publication. Minutes: 55.1 There were none. |
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Letters from Councillors No letters have been received. Minutes: 56.1 There were none. |
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Written Questions from Councillors No written questions have been received. Minutes: 57.1 There were none. |
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Notices of Motions No Notices of Motion have been received. Minutes: 58.1 There were none. |
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Sustainability and the Shoreham Port Masterplan Presentation from Peter Davies, Shoreham Port Development Director. Minutes: 59.1 The Cabinet Committee received a presentation from Peter Davies, Shoreham Port Development Director concerning the Shoreham Port Masterplan (see Appendix 1).
59.2 Mr Davies advised the Cabinet Committee of the history of the port, its links to the local community and the current nature of its business. He explained that £40 million had been spent in the last five years and that future plans for the port would see it grow and diversify, enabling the creation of jobs and the protection of local amenities and the environment. The Masterplan was the first of its kind for the port; a wide range of stakeholders had been involved in its development and it would be the basis for driving business forward. Mr Davies explained the proposals for each of the different areas within the port, including new employment opportunities and the possibility of housing provision, and reported that feedback on the Masterplan had been largely positive. He explained intentions to involve the port further in energy generation through opportunities stemming from the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm development, through to power from burning oil and the extensive use of solar panels, plus medium sized wind turbines potential. Mr Davies stated that the port was willing and able to tackle large scale projects, and that the business strategy and Masterplan were in place to enable growth and development.
59.3 In response to questions from Councillor Steedman, Mr Davies made the following comments:
§ In relation to the sustainability sourcing criteria for materials to be burnt at the green power plant, it was expected that mainly ‘tall oil’ would be burnt; this was a by product of making paper from wood pulp, and for which there would be competition. Energy production would not be weather dependent and there would be no traffic associated with it. It would be possible to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 18,000 homes and it was hoped that the electricity produced would go into the local grid. The power plant would produce excess heat, resulting in steam that could be used or sold. § In relation to the number of jobs that could be created if the port was successful in winning a role in the maintenance of Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, it hoped that more than 80 jobs would be created as well as a good number of apprenticeships.
59.4 In response to a question from Councillor Fallon-Khan, Mr Davies advised that 500 jobs was a realistic estimate for new jobs created at the port over the next few years and because the jobs would be permanent, it was hoped that many would go to local people. Transferable skills were available in the area, but there was also a need for apprenticeships and training.
59.5 Councillor Fallon-Khan welcomed the port’s attitude to apprenticeships and the employment opportunities that would be available; the jobs created would encourage university graduates to stay in the area. He also welcomed the port’s strong interest in the energy agenda.
59.6 In response to questions from Councillor Harmer-Strange, Mr Davies explained that currently the port mainly handled bulk products such as aggregates, steel and timber and that most jobs centred on haulage, forklift and office work. He advised that other businesses on the port did not relate to port operations at all and that plans were in place to expand into new areas.
59.7 The Chairman thanked Mr Davies for his presentation and welcomed the port’s approach to development and creating opportunities for employment and housing.
59.6 RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted. |
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City Food Strategy review and revision Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached). Decision: (1) That the Cabinet Committee acknowledges the achievements of Spade to Spoon 2006 – 2010.
(2) That the Cabinet Committee supports the involvement of the departments listed in 3.7 in reviewing the strategy working with the Food Partnership to identify new targets and areas of partnership work.
(3) That the Cabinet Committee endorses the high level outcomes identified for the Food Strategy in 3.5 Minutes: 60.1 The Cabinet Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning the review and revision of Spade to Spoon: a Food Strategy and Action Plan for Brighton & Hove (originally published in 2006) that was being led by the City Food Partnership.
60.2 The Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (S&EP) reported that the city had gained a good reputation both locally and nationally for its work on food and that the first Food Strategy had been a significant success. He advised that the new strategy would focus on a number of themes, including healthier and more sustainable diets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing food waste and packaging, and a resilient sustainable local food economy. He added that the council had so far played a facilitative and supportive role in the formulation of the new strategy.
60.3 The Chairman welcomed the report and noted the links between the Food Strategy and the council’s impending Public Health duties. She invited Vic Borrill, Director of the City Food Partnership to talk about the development of the strategy.
60.4 Ms Borrill explained that the Food Partnership had been set up to drive the first Food Strategy forward and that the contributions of all partner organisations had been key to its success. She advised that some issues remained and she hoped the new strategy would include measurable targets. She reported that the Food Partnership would use its frontline services to engage with residents over the new strategy as it developed.
60.5 The Chairman paid tribute to Francesca Iliffe, Sustainability Officer, for her significant contribution to the development of the first strategy and its success.
60.6 Councillor Fallon-Khan echoed the Chairman’s remarks in relation to Ms Iliffe and welcomed the national recognition received by the city for its work on food.
60.7 Councillor Steedman asked whether it was possible to share any initial thoughts on priority actions for the new strategy and whether the council had considered initiatives such as ‘meat-free Mondays’ to raise awareness of the effect of too much meat on diet and also on climate change due to transportation.
60.8 Ms Borrill advised that the Food Partnership recognised the role food played in climate change and that actions could focus on procurement and labelling as part of promoting the importance of a sustainable diet. Actions associated with tackling obesity were also likely to be included.
60.9 The Chairman stated that the council’s role was to promote choice while encouraging people to think differently about food and the impact of their choices.
60.10 Councillor Fallon-Khan that education was key, but that ultimately individuals must be able to choose for themselves; he stated that he was committed to raising awareness to help people make the right choices.
60.11 Councillor Harmer-Strange queried the locations of the new community kitchens, as detailed in the report, and where the importance of fresh fish would be emphasised in the strategy.
60.12 Ms Borrill reported that the community kitchens were in Portslade Village Centre, the Bridge Centre and Whitehawk Primary School. She explained that fish came under the first outcome ‘People in Brighton & Hove eat a healthier and more sustainable diet’ and advised that the Food Partnership promoted sustainable sourcing of fish with a newsletter just finalised that was devoted to the subject. She also advised that the first Food Strategy included a ‘fish plan’ and it was hoped that more progress would be made on it as part of the new strategy.
60.13 The Chairman thanked Ms Borrill for attending the meeting and the work undertaken on the Food Strategy.
60.14 RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Committee accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That the achievements of Spade to Spoon 2006 – 2010 be acknowledged.
(2) That support for the involvement of the departments listed in 3.7 in reviewing the strategy working with the Food Partnership to identify new targets and areas of partnership work be given.
(3) That the high level outcomes identified for the Food Strategy in 3.5 be endorsed. |
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Living Within Environmental Limits section of the City Performance Plan Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached). Decision: (1) That the Cabinet Committee notes the current draft section and the timetable for the plan as a whole. Minutes: 61.1 The Cabinet Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning the role of the new City Performance Plan for the city and how the ‘Living within Environmental Limits’ section was being dealt with within the Plan.
61.2 The Head of S&EP reported that the council was leading in the development of the Plan on behalf of the Brighton & Hove Strategic Partnership (BHSP); to date each partnership had submitted their sections in draft form and the priorities were linked to draft actions. He advised that the Overview & Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet would both have the opportunity to review and endorse the Plan as a whole before it was considered for approval by the LSP.
61.3 RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Committee accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That the current draft section and the timetable for the plan as a whole be noted. |
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Sustainable Procurement Update Verbal update from the Procurement Strategy Manager. Minutes: 62.1 The Cabinet received an update on Sustainable Procurement from the Head of S&EP on behalf of the Procurement Strategy Manager.
62.2 The Head of S&EP reported that the Procurement Team were in the process of reviewing the Sustainable Procurement Code of Practice, which was last reviewed and approved by the Cabinet Committee in January 2009. He advised that the team recognised the need to keep abreast of the changing Sustainable Procurement landscape and were keen to pass on any changes in guidance and regulation to all officers, and particularly contract officers, across the council; a further Contract Officer Forum was planned for the summer and part of the session would be dedicated to Sustainable Procurement. The procurement team was working closely with the Sustainability Team to make the language and guidance more consistent. Information within it had been grouped into the key main areas – Social, Economic and Environmental impacts to make it more user-friendly and accessible to contract officers.
62.3 Councillor Steedman queried what steps the council would be taking to align its procurement targets with more ambitious citywide sustainability targets.
62.4 The Head of S&EP advised that the Sustainability Team now included a Sustainability Consultant with a strong environmental management background and resource efficiency focus, which would enable the team to work more effectively with Procurement Team on this.
62.5 The Chairman noted that the recent award of the sports facilities management contract to Freedom Leisure included a clear commitment to reducing energy use and was an example of how sustainability targets were being sought through the council’s contracts. She advised that the Procurement Team had recently undergone a restructure and were working hard to ensure that sustainability matters were properly considered in all contracts. She added that she met regularly with the Procurement Board and was impressed with recent progress.
62.6 RESOLVED – That the update be noted. |
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Report of the City Sustainability Partnership To note the draft minutes of the City Sustainability Partnership meeting held on 14 March 2011 (copy attached). Minutes: 63.1 The Cabinet Committee considered the draft minutes of the City Sustainability Partnership meeting of 14 March 2011.
63.2 RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.
63.3 Councillor Fallon-Khan paid further tribute to Councillor Steedman and stated that he was acclaimed across the city for his expertise and the way in which he used his knowledge. He wished Councillor Steedman good luck in his new endeavours and thanked him for his commitment and contribution.
63.4 Councillor Steedman thanked the Cabinet Committee for their comments and added that he would continue to be a presence in the city. |