Green Party Press Release on Sustainable Economic Abstention

Mid Sussex Council’s Sustainability Plan Falls Short

Green Councillors pushed for greater ambition, more action and accountability in the proposed Sustainable Economy Strategy and Action Plan (SES), presented at the Mid Sussex District Council meeting on Wednesday 27 April.

Despite all members recognising the huge amount of effort that had gone into the proposal, the SES did not gain full support of the council last week. Five councillors abstained due to the lack of carbon reduction ambition, very little commitment to support those in fuel poverty and failure to recognise the full impact of the climate and ecological crisis now upon us all.

Cllr. Paul Brown (High Weald) challenged the reduction in carbon emissions proposed which committed to upgrading only 20 percent of dwellings, or about 290 homes in Mid Sussex with poorly rated energy performance certificates (EPC) of F & G by 2025. Cllr. Brown pointed out that many residents in private rental are most likely to already be in fuel poverty. Raising concerns that many home owners are now facing record high costs, wasting massive amounts of energy due to poor heating controls and little or no fabric insulation, Cllr. Brown added “the SES has a lot of warm words but in reality, action on climate change in Mid Sussex is being kicked down the road, yet again.”

Cllr. Anne Eves (Burgess Hill) who is part of the SES cross-party working group, acknowledged the hard work that had gone in to the SES, but regretted the fact that the vision does not include the words ‘achievement of net zero’ despite raising this in previous cross-party meetings on the SES.

Mid Sussex is one of the few councils which has never declared a climate emergency and shows no sign of recognising that we are in one. This council is way behind others on sustainability work. Cllr. Eves welcomed the long-awaited commitment to training both elected members and staff in carbon literacy, something Greens have been asking for, for years. Big opportunities are missed in the SES to encourage residents to reduce car use. Cllr. Eves highlighted the lack of commitment to promote modal shift to public transport or even electric bikes, except a passing reference to ‘rural bus networks’. Cllr. Eves said, “There are many pious wishes in the SES, much lip-service, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.”

Cllr. Matthew Cornish (Burgess Hill) then drew attention to the fact that there is no target for MSDC suppliers or contractors to be vetted on their own commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Cllr. Cornish said “The government's own carbon reduction plan (PPN_0621) sets out a template for procurement on contracts over £5m and asks big questions about suppliers’ credibility when it comes to their commitment to reducing carbon. Cllr. Cornish asked to see similar carbon reduction measures and scrutiny in the SES for all council stakeholders.

Cllr. Jenny Edwards (Ardingly & Balcombe) said, ”It’s just not clear how MSDC will be able to achieve carbon net zero from the SES. Taking the obvious step of declaring a climate emergency NOW would surely make our intentions clear and give residents an indication that the Council is taking the issue seriously.

The residents of Mid Sussex need their Council to lead by example so that we are all equipped to make the changes necessary to keep our district a healthy and beautiful environment for generations to come.

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Note to Editor: For more information please contact, Cllr. Matthew Cornish on 01444 232030 or email matthew.cornish@midsussex.gov.uk