Agenda item - Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel Update: Energy & Water Plans

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 and recognises the work undertaken to date.

2)            That the Board requests the final recommendations from the Water and Energy plans be presented in April 2020.

3)            That the Board notes the planned communications activity which will be focused on the Greater Brighton 10 pledges highlighting the delivery of five water and five energy projects.

22.1      The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Infrastructure Board that provided a progress update on the Greater Brighton Energy & Water Plans. The report was supplemented by a presentation from Ian McAuley, CEO Southern Water.

22.2      Andrew Swayne expressed his support for the statements made in the presentation and explained that the key elements of the next stage would be clarity on what projects could be undertaken immediately and what projects required funding to take forward and how that funding could be obtained.

22.3      Trevor Beattie stated that the UK Power Network were keen on developing partnerships with local authorities and regional bodies as too were Community Energy England. Trevor Beattie stated that locking their work with that of the Infrastructure Panel was essential.

22.4      Councillor Walsh asked what progress was being made in relation to capacity for electric vehicles.

22.5      Ian McAuley clarified that the Panel had undertaken a scoping exercise on hydrogen fuel stations. There would be a need to modernise the piping sector.

22.6      Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that it was imperative that action on carbon neutrality and sustainability be undertaken by 2030. Councillor Mac Cafferty explained that identification of funding would be key and asked what detail was available on the projects envisaged.

22.7      Andrew Swayne clarified that the projects were currently being designed in detail and would be submitted to the Board following stakeholder engagement.

22.8      Councillor Nicholson stated that a two part plan was required, the first to create an investment vehicle to attract resources and the second, a plan on what project could be taken on together as local authorities.

22.9      RESOLVED-

1)             That the Board notes the update provided by the Chair of the Greater Brighton Infrastructure Panel and recognises the work undertaken to date.

2)             That the Board requests the final recommendations from the Water and Energy plans be presented in April 2020.

3)             That the Board notes the planned communications activity which will be focused on the Greater Brighton 10 pledges highlighting the delivery of five water and five energy projects.