The Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee of West Sussex Council met on Friday 14 June 2024. The meeting covered a range of topics including the Household Support Fund, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, the Lane Rental Scheme, and the Performance and Resources Report for Quarter 4. Key decisions and discussions are summarised below.

Household Support Fund

The committee reviewed the Household Support Fund (HSF), noting that the fund had been managed to ensure sufficient availability for Quarter 4, including the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAFF) for the Easter holidays. A decision from the Government on the continuation of the HSF was expected in early March. The committee discussed the impact of the fund and the potential for future government benefits to reduce the need for HSF.

Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

The committee examined the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) 2024-2027, which aims to formalise the council's climate change strategy. Discussions focused on scope 3 emissions and the council's estate. The committee acknowledged the challenges in measuring emissions from third-party services and the need for a consistent approach. The plan's emphasis on nature recovery and the use of innovative green finance measures was also highlighted.

Lane Rental Scheme

The Lane Rental Scheme was discussed, with the committee noting its success in reducing the duration of major roadworks and encouraging behavioural change among utility companies. The scheme has saved approximately 1,300 days on the network and generated a surplus of £5.1 million. The committee considered recommendations for the future of the scheme, including the potential expansion to cover 10% of the network and the use of surplus funds for innovative projects.

Performance and Resources Report - Quarter 4

The committee reviewed the Quarter 4 Performance and Resources Report, discussing various key performance indicators (KPIs) and budgetary issues. Key points included:

• Communities: The national issue of excessive death rates, specialist training for library staff, and the management of the Household Support Fund.
• Environment: The impact of removing academy schools from emissions data, the static recycling rates, and the challenges of disposing of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• Highways and Transport: The definition of good condition for roads, the quality of highway defect repairs, and the impact of reduced uptake in National Concessionary Fares.

Major Incidents Affecting the Highways

The committee discussed the response to major incidents, primarily weather-related, and the need for a formal steering group to involve local members and improve communication with residents. The importance of having a dedicated allocation of funding for major incidents was also highlighted.

Additional Highway Revenue Expenditure 2024/25

The committee reviewed the additional £4 million revenue funding for highways and transport, focusing on quality control for highway defects, the impact of reactive drainage work, and the need for a proactive plan to monitor the additional funding.

Active Travel School Streets Trial

The committee discussed the Active Travel School Streets Trial, noting the success of the trials and the potential for future enforcement using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment. The committee welcomed the idea of an all-member briefing session to explain the project.

Work Programme Planning

The committee reviewed the work programme and forward plan of key decisions, requesting that the Business Planning Group (BPG) consider the suitability of the Halewick Lane battery storage site for scrutiny and the monitoring of highway defect repairs.

Requests for Call-in

There had been no requests for call-in to the Scrutiny Committee within its constitutional remit since the date of the last meeting.

The next meeting of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 16 September 2024.