Horsham District councillors have approved a budget of £1 million to help protect and enhance the district’s local environment in line with the council’s corporate objectives to tackle the effects of climate change, become carbon neutral by 2030 and reverse the decline in wildlife.
Capital expenditure of £880k will deliver a range of initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions, including replacing 10 council-owned vehicles that have reached the end of their lives with full electric vehicles, as well as installing electric vehicle charge points.
Several council-owned buildings will have energy efficiency measures installed, such as new windows, insulation, and low carbon heating systems. The roll out of LED lighting in council-owned car parks will continue, with replacement lighting in car parks in Storrington and Steyning.
To help deliver the council’s climate change and biodiversity ambitions some new temporary posts will also be created, including increased support for the ambitious Wilder Horsham District project, which is supporting community groups, parish councils, farmers, and landowners.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs Cllr James Wright said: “I very much welcome this extra investment to support a host of new measures to protect the local environment.
“The council has a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is fully embracing this target. This investment also benefits residents through improved services like safer LED lighting in our rural car parks, and financial savings in electricity and heating costs.”
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