The Climate Change Steering Group (CCSG) was asked to propose projects that they would like to see progressed.  Several projects and other suggestions were proposed.  During the discussion the following was noted:

·         Air Quality: To install air quality monitors throughout the district and promote “Climate Cluster” Apps for cyclists to measure the air quality and forward data to the Council for collation.

·         Biodiversity: It was suggested that the Parish and Town Councils be encouraged to complete a Biodiversity Audit of their areas.

·         Communication: Introduce ‘green top tip of the week’ on ‘My-Alerts.

·         Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): Funding to be used to deliver carbon friendly projects; this would be subject to CIL Strategic requirements / criteria.

·         Dark Skies: To minimise light pollution, particularly in the rural areas across the district.

·         Education: To be influential and promote / advertise best practice techniques on energy efficient measures.

·         Electric Vehicle: Explore ways to encourage and incentivise usage of electric vehicles and bicycles.  It was acknowledged that electric vehicles contained engineered plastics which were not necessarily environmentally friendly.  Provide electric charging points for bicycles.  Encourage Village Halls to install electric charging points.

·         Food: To promote healthy food options e.g. plant-based products / choices etc.

·         Green Spaces: Reduce verge cutting, encourage wildflowers and reinstate rewilding meadows on Council owned land, where appropriate.  It was considered important that tree management was monitored on Council own land, particularly with regard to the condition of mature trees.

·         Health: Incentivise usage of alternative transport methods e.g. cycling and walking etc.  Encourage the public to use the free gym equipment in the green spaces / parks across the district, with the potential to general power.

·         Officer Working Group: Develop an Officer Working Group to instigate a ‘culture shift’ within the organisation e.g. encourage staff to cycle to work, work from home etc.  Complete a staff survey.

·         Pedestrianisation: Explore options to make urban areas car free or restricted access e.g. Bexhill Town Centre.

·         Pesticides: Consider ways to reduce the usage of pesticides on Council owned land.

·         Planning Strategy: Adapt planning strategy and criteria to encourage development of renewable energy methods e.g. installation of air source heat pumps, solar panels etc.

·         Pollution: Consider ways to reduce pollution across the district and, in particular, the sea.

·         Public Transport: Improve services and offer free bus services, where appropriate.

·         Repair Swap Shop: Establish a “repair swap shop” in Bexhill Town Centre.

·         Town Hall: It was anticipated that the Town Hall Renaissance Project would be a low-carbon development.  Renovate Town Hall Bike Shelter to encourage staff to cycle to work.  Install a real time display on the Town Hall to show how much is being generated by solar panels.

·         Waste: Promote effective ways to reduce waste within the authority and across the district.  To promote composting food waste, to supply composters and encourage subscription to the Garden Waste Service.

·         Website: Introduce a climate change target page on the website.

It was noted that several of the suggestions proposed were outside the remit of Rother District Council.

The Chair advised that, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, a Green Sustainable Business Scheme for the district was being developed.

Members were encouraged to forward project ideas to the Director – Place and Climate Change.  It was clarified that all projects would be collated, considered and prioritised by the CCSG and instigated, where possible, subject to budgetary and resource availability.

The Director – Place and Climate Change advised that the Council’s Environmental / Green Asset Management Plan would be considered at the next scheduled meeting.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    projects be collated, considered and prioritised by the Climate Change Steering Group and instigated, where possible, subject to budgetary and resource availability;

2)    Members forward project ideas to the Director – Place and Climate Change; and

3)    Environmental / Green Asset Management Plan be considered at the next scheduled meeting.