Agenda item - Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel Update

Report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board

1)           That the Board notes the update provided by the Chair of the Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel.

2)           That the Board approves the next step, which is for Greater Brighton to further explore potentially becoming a 100RC member location, as outlined in point 1.8.

3)           That the Board requests a further update on recommendations for the Board from the Water and Energy plans once completed with the likely date being January 2020.

22.1      The Board considered a report that provided an update on the work of the Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel established in 2018 and sought approval for the Board to explore potentially becoming a 100RC member location.

22.2      Councillor Janio noted that the area was highly stretched for water reserves and demand and asked when this was likely to end.

22.3      Ian McAulay replied that the development of infrastructure was key and through collective action, a resolution could be found in five years’ time.

22.4      Natalie Brahma-Pearl stated that there would be implications upon water resource as a result of growth and fundamental change was required to the industry in addition to investment or development of treatment facilities.

22.5      Councillor Lamb agreed adding that Crawley was now above its planned population capacity and required investment in infrastructure.

22.6      Ian McAuley requested that Crawley Borough Council make their case to government adding that he found it perplexing that water efficiency was not currently a requirement of planning development. Ian McAuley supplemented that there was a specific need for optimal investment and future proofing.

22.7      Trevor Beattie welcomed the presentation adding that the technology was available to make a change and the future of farming would be fundamental to water supply and reserves.

22.8      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Board notes the update provided by the Chair of the Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel.

2)           That the Board approves the next step, which is for Greater Brighton to further explore potentially becoming a 100RC member location, as outlined in point 1.8.

3)           That the Board requests a further update on recommendations for the Board from the Water and Energy plans once completed with the likely date being January 2020.