Issue - meetings

The Panel has invited representatives from Manor Royal Business District (MRBD) and CBC to help inform their investigation.

Steve Sawyer (Executive Director, MRBD), Nigel Sheehan (Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services, CBC) and Graham Rowe (Partnership Services Manager, CBC) have been invited to offer views on commercial services/facilities achieving a low-carbon footprint within the town, together with understanding the challenges faced – now and in the future.

Councillor Peter Smith as the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, together with Councillor Chris Mullins as the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing have also been invited.

Whilst the individuals named above identifies those witnesses anticipated to speak at the meeting, this may change subject to availability and, at the discretion of the Chair. Further witnesses may be called in addition or instead of those listed above should they be unavailable.

Due to the nature of the discussions within the above item, should Councillors wish to scrutinise financial issues or aspects of any contractual arrangements in specific detail, the meeting may need to move to Part B (Exempt item) as this may be viewed as financially/commercially sensitive.

The Chair provided some background information on the Panel and then witnesses were asked for their views on commercial services and facilities achieving a low-carbon footprint within the town, together with understanding the challenges faced – now and in the future.

Steve Sawyer (Executive Director, MRBD), Nigel Sheehan (Head of Major Project and Commercial Services) and Graham Rowe (Partnership Services) from Crawley Borough Council updated the Panel that:

MRBD

·       It was acknowledged that during lockdown people had attached increasing value to their environment: People had been shopping local and enjoying green and open spaces. Arguably climate change had become more important.

·       How people use a space was important; safe, welcoming, well maintained. Quality green and open spaces were maintained within the Business District to assist in people’s health and enhancing the maintenance within Manor Royal so people enjoyed spending time in the space, rather than just passing through.

·       It was important to consider what kind of transport was necessary – there was a need to have a place shaping role to look at how an area functions and how to add value to key partners to achieve its potential. 

·       Re-Energise Manor Royal Project was a vision to create a more sustainable business park. The aim was to increase all forms of renewable energy on Manor Royal.  The energy supply would be more sustainable, secure and locally generated, reducing the carbon footprint and lower the cost for businesses.

·       A more sustainable Business Park relied on co-operation in order for it to be a success.

·       There was an acknowledgement that an innovative approach was needed in the future.

Panel Members raised a number of queries. The issues raised and the key responses included:

·       Resulting from the pandemic it was acknowledged that companies were encouraging employees to return to the office, however some were on a phased return.  The future for office accommodation use remained, but the demand criteria had altered.

·       The Re-energise Manor Royal was an exciting project.  It would be able to share locally generated, locally distributed and traded energy between the companies that generate it and those that need it. It would allow energy and heat to be traded between companies or sites. The business case and governance model was currently being documented. It was acknowledged that it came with risk but also reward.

·       In terms of future plans, encouraging more people to take up active travel behaviours would be paramount in the future, along with actively promoting and facilitating investment by developers to result in the best, most efficient and most sustainable buildings into Manor Royal.

·       It would be beneficial in the future to see electric vehicle infrastructure along the highways.

In addition, it was noted by Councillor P Smith that:

·       80% of people travel by car into Manor Royal, as the town had its challenges: parking, congestion, pollution, Air Quality Management Area.

·       There was a need to find ways to encourage and incentivise schemes such as solar panels on sustainable new builds.  Whilst the council’s policies such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

The Panel has invited representatives from Manor Royal Business District (MRBD) and CBC to help inform their investigation.

Steve Sawyer (Executive Director, MRBD), Nigel Sheehan (Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services, CBC) and Graham Rowe (Partnership Services Manager, CBC) have been invited to offer views on commercial and business services operating environmentally sustainable facilities/services and the potential for the MRBD and the Council’s facilities within the town achieving a low-carbon future, together with understanding the challenges faced – now and in the future.

Whilst the individuals named above identifies those witnesses anticipated to speak at the meeting, this may change subject to availability and, at the discretion of the Chair. Further witnesses may be called in addition or instead of those listed above should they be unavailable.

Due to the nature of the discussions within the above item, should Councillors wish to scrutinise financial issues or aspects of any contractual arrangements in specific detail, the meeting may need to move to Part B (Exempt item) as this may be viewed as financially/commercially sensitive.