ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 16 March 2021

Agenda Item 79(b) Brighton & Hove City Council

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

The question will be answered without discussion. The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion. The person to whom a question, or supplementary question, has been put may decline to answer it. 

The following written questions have been received from Members:

(1) Councillor Nemeth- Climate Neutrality Progress Update

A ‘climate emergency’ was declared by Brighton & Hove City Council in December 2018 and a Carbon Neutral 2030 Working Group was set up not long afterwards. Would the Chair, in her capacity as head of sustainability for the city, state the percentage of net carbon dioxide emissions that have been cut since the inception of the project?         

(2) Councillor Nemeth- Tamarisks on Duke’s Mound

The Council’s ‘Carbon Neutral 2030’ logo appears on material promoting the removal of the popular tamarisks on Duke’s Mound on the Kemp Town seafront. An increase in biodiversity through the introduction of native species appears to be the principal driver behind this project. Given that there is likely to be less carbon stored at Duke’s Mound in 2030 than there is now, and much carbon dioxide has been introduced into the atmosphere simply through carrying out the physical work involved in the project, how can the use of the Carbon Neutral 2030 logo on this particular project be justified?

(3) Councillor Nemeth- Volk’s Railway Disabilities-friendly Carriage and Extension

A Notice of Motion calling for various upgrades to Volk’s Railway, submitted by the Conservative Group at TECC Committee on 18th November 2020, received cross-party backing. It included calls for signage, a new platform, a shelter, a disabilities-friendly carriage and an extension towards the Marina. A Budget Amendment calling for a £500,000 investment in the carriage, submitted by the Conservative Group at Budget Council on 25th February 2021, led to the approval of £100,000 towards the project. What discussions from a transport perspective have taken place to date?

(4) Councillor Nemeth- Community Tree Planting

Will the Council honour the previous fee for the planting of street trees by community groups of approximately £400 per tree in instances where projects were launched by residents prior to the adoption of the new fee of up to £5,000 per tree?