The Chichester District Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet on 7 October 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including financial matters, environmental strategies, and community services. Several items on the agenda, including the Fleet Procurement, Chichester Harbour Investment and Adaptation Plan, Food Waste Collection, and Council Tax Reduction Scheme, require recommendations to be made to the Council.

Key Decisions

CCS Fleet Procurement

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the procurement of vehicles for Chichester Contract Services (CCS). The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to recommend to the council the approval of the purchase of vehicles included within the Fleet Asset Replacement Programme (ARP), with an estimated cost of £2,823,642. The report pack also says that the cabinet will be asked to resolve to delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Communities, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and CCS, Councillor Mark Chilton, to enter into contracts with suppliers for vehicles covered within the report. The report pack notes that a detailed cost of ownership review conducted in 2020 identified that the CCS HGV fleet should be replaced every eight years, and the current ARP reflects this. The report pack states that the replacement of vehicles will:

• Minimise fleet repair costs and replacement vehicle hire costs by not extending their service beyond that which is considering uneconomical.
• Reduce the cost of servicing the light good vehicle fleet by bringing the work in house.
• Ensure the availability of the CCS fleet and thus maintain the resilience of the CDC waste services activities including waste collection, street cleaning, parks and grounds maintenance.

The report pack notes that all vehicles will be HVO fuel compliant. The report pack says that contract hire and leasing options were reviewed and rejected based on the full-life vehicle cost. It also says that while commercial vehicle manufacturers continue to test alternative powered vehicles such as electric, the ongoing trial of CDC electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV's) is not currently showing positive results.

Chichester Harbour Investment and Adaptation Plan

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Chichester Harbour Investment and Adaptation Plan (CHIAP). The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to recommend to the council the approval of a contribution of £350,000 funded from General Fund Reserves over three years (£50,000 in 2025/26, £150,000 in 2026/27 and £150,000 in 2027/28) to support delivery of CHIAP. The report pack describes CHIAP as:

an essential piece of work needed to strengthen resilience by enabling communities to prepare for, protect against, and recover from coastal change over the next 100 years using an adaptive pathway approach, directly developed by the community, landowners, stakeholders and regulators. An adaptative pathways approach is a flexible long-term approach to planning for uncertainty, particularly in the context of climate change. The report pack notes that Chichester Harbour's environment is currently in 'unfavourable, declining' condition due to pressures such as coastal squeeze¹. The report pack says that CHIAP will identify habitat creation opportunities to improve environmental conditions and review and update Shoreline Management Plan policy where they are no longer deliverable, affordable or environmentally appropriate. The report pack notes that CHIAP is a collaborative project, led by Coastal Partners on behalf of Havant Borough Council (HBC) and Chichester District Council (CDC). The report pack lists the anticipated benefits of CHIAP:

• • Immediate/short-term benefits research and engagement completed, policies reflect adaptive coastal management approaches. Agencies, communities and businesses begin implementing resilience strategies. Habitat restoration opportunities identified / underway. Minimal direct savings yet, but regulatory certainty / confidence prevents costly planning refusals.
• • Mid-term impact flood resilience prevents flood damage costs beginning to show, potentially saving millions in emergency response and property repair. Refines the Hold the Line, No Public Funding policy to avoid coastal squeeze (intertidal habitat loss) and up to an estimated £84.6M in habitat compensation costs over 100 years. Coastal habitat projects completed, strengthening biodiversity and aiming for the environment to switch from 'unfavourable declining' condition to 'unfavourable recovering' condition. Regulatory stability through enhanced policies.
• • Long-term impact major flood adaptation strategies identified by CHIAP in place, reducing displacement and damage costs. Harbours biodiversity significantly restored aiming for the environment to be in 'favourable' condition, securing long-term environmental stability, tourism industry thrives increasing business revenue and local investment.

The report pack says that without intervention, damages from flooding, habitat loss and regulatory constraints could cost exponentially more. It also says that benefits calculations in the Shoreline Management Plan and existing coastal strategies in Chichester Harbour, suggest that over the next 100 years across Chichester Harbour, over £1,168m of economic benefits could be unlocked by CHIAP.

Implementation of Weekly Food Waste Collection for Households

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the implementation of weekly food waste collections for households. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to recommend to the council the approval of £1,225,700 growth to the base budget from 2026/27 onwards to fund the food waste collection service for households. The report pack notes that under the Environment Act 2021, all Waste Collection Authorities (WCA) in England must provide weekly food waste collections by March 2026. The report pack says that bin distribution and collections are currently on target to launch in Spring 2026. The report pack lists key milestones completed to date:

• Project Governance: Dedicated Project Board established to oversee delivery and ensure strategic alignment.
• Vehicle Procurement: All food waste collection vehicles have been ordered, with phased delivery expected by December 2025. One vehicle has already been received and is being tested so feedback can be incorporated into the build programme.
• Service Design: Collection rounds have been designed and optimised to maximise operational efficiency. A phased recruitment strategy for new collection staff has commenced.
• Bin Provision: 23-litre external bins and 5-litre kitchen caddies have been ordered with distribution scheduled for Spring 2026.
• Depot Site Constraints: The existing depot cannot accommodate the new service. A short-to-medium term solution has been identified, with necessary off site works due for completion by December 2025. This is being managed as separate project.
• Communications and Engagement: A phased campaign has been developed in partnership with the West Sussex Waste Partnership to ensure consistent messaging and resident engagement.
• Waste Disposal: West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has confirmed the use of anaerobic digestion for food waste treatment. Facility upgrades are on track for completion before service launch. This facility will support all the District and Borough Councils in West Sussex.

The report pack notes that the annual cost of providing the service has been modelled at £1,225,700.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026-2027

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026-2027. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to recommend that the proposed Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2026-27 as detailed in Appendix 1 be approved by full Council. The report pack notes that the scheme for 2026-27 will maintain the support available in 2025-26. The report pack says that the Welfare Reform Act and Local Government Finance Acts of 2012 abolished the national council tax benefit (CTB) scheme and put in place from 1 April 2013 a framework for local authorities to create their own local council tax reduction (CTR) schemes. The report pack notes that the cost of the scheme is shared between all precepting authorities. Chichester District Council's share is approximately 9% of the total scheme cost, with the rest being funded by Sussex Police, West Sussex County Council and the Parish Councils. The report pack says that the proposed CTR scheme for 2026-27 is largely unchanged from last year's scheme, with the main changes being:

▪ Any changes that occur in the Housing Benefit (HB) scheme will be transferred across to the 2026-27 scheme, including uprated premiums, living allowances and non-dependant deductions (for non-UC claimant's). These are supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions and are published before the end of the financial year.

• For the UC banded scheme this also includes any appropriate changes in UC rates.
• Clarification on rules around temporary absence in line with existing Housing Benefit regulations as set out in the Housing Benefit and State Pension Credit (Temporary Absence) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I.2016 No.624)
• For those on the Universal Credit scheme a claim will stay open for 26 weeks following the end of entitlement. This is to allow for fluctuations in earnings and reduce the administration of new claims.

Other Decisions

Council Tax Review of Locally Defined Discounts and Premiums 2026-2027

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Council Tax Review of Locally Defined Discounts and Premiums 2026-2027. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to resolve that the Council Tax Discounts and Premiums proposed in the Appendix 1 - Council Tax Review of Local Discounts and Premiums 2026-27 to the report be applied for the 2026-2027 financial year. The report pack notes that the Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1992, as amended by the LGFA 2003 and LGFA 2012, requires the authority to set a taxbase between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026, and that the level of locally defined discounts and empty homes premium, impacts on the calculation of the taxbase. The report pack says that following a change in the legislation, properties that fall into Prescribed Class B, which comprises second and holiday homes, can be subject to a premium of up to 100%, and that it is proposed to continue to charge this maximum level of premium at 100% for the financial year 2026- 2027. The report pack also notes that following a change in the legislation in 2024, local authorities can now apply an empty home premium after one year, and that it is proposed to continue to set these maximum levels of premium for the financial year 2026-2027:

Review of Financial Reserves

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Review of Financial Reserves. The report pack states that the cabinet is requested to consider the findings of the review of usable financial reserves and approve the changes to earmarked reserves contained within the Appendix that returns £4,357,997 to the General Fund Reserve. The report pack notes that holding reserves is a normal part of prudent financial management for a local authority and this is set within a legal framework with guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The report pack says that the General Fund Reserve is a statutory fund, representing a portion of the Council's revenue resources set aside to cover unexpected events or emergencies, or to manage the impact of uneven cash flows, and that it also acts as a contingency fund and a working balance, accounting for in year deficits and surpluses. The report pack notes that at 31 March 2025, the balance of earmarked reserves was £45.635m, and that these reserves have been set aside to provide the funding for specific activities and projects.

Biodiversity Strategy 2026 - 2036

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Biodiversity Strategy 2026 - 2036. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to approve the Biodiversity Strategy contained in Appendix 2 for publication, and that authority is delegated to the Director for Planning and the Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy, Councillor Jonathan Brown, to make any minor factual and/or editorial changes to the Action Plan. The report pack notes that the Environment Act 2021 enhanced the statutory biodiversity duty requiring public authorities to consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity, and that it also requires the Council to publish a report which includes a summary of actions taken to comply with the biodiversity duty. The report pack says that the strategic priorities within the Council's Biodiversity Strategy for 2026 – 2036, are as follows:

• 1. Increase the resilience of the district's waterbodies and coastal waters, particularly our harbours and chalk streams, by supporting joint projects and initiatives.
• 2. Establish new, enhanced and better-connected habitats through supporting landscape-scale and local scale nature-recovery projects.
• 3. Creation and enhancement of habitats through developing Habitat Banks under Biodiversity Net Gain.
• 4. Increase tree planting and woodland creation for climate change mitigation and adaptation alongside nature recovery.
• 5. Review and instigate opportunities for nature recovery within the Council's own estate.
• 6. Support nature recovery through signposting to existing funding streams.
• 7. Support the delivery of the measures within the West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy for habitats and species.

Community Warden Funding

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding Community Warden Funding. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to resolve to continue to fund 50% of the total cost of the Community Warden Service, subject to match funding being secured by partners. The report pack notes that the Chichester Community Warden Service has been in operation since 2005, and that the service currently consists of seven community wardens who are based and operate in the wards of Chichester City; Chichester East, West and South; Selsey North and South; Tangmere and Oving plus Bracklesham and the Witterings. The report pack says that the Community Warden Service contributes to the corporate priority Healthy Vibrant Communities and more specifically Safe and Supported Communities , and that they provide a visible presence in their areas and support to communities and individuals who might be considered vulnerable.

Contaminated Land Strategy

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Contaminated Land Strategy. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to approve the revised Contaminated Land Strategy for Chichester District for public consultation, and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy, Councillor Jonathan Brown, to consider the representations arising from the consultation exercise and, provided the representations do not require significant amendments to the Strategy, to approve adoption (with minor amendments if considered appropriate) of the Strategy. The report pack notes that the contaminated land regime is set out in Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and gives specific legal powers and duties to local authorities, and that it is a statutory requirement of the legislation that every local authority adopts a contaminated land strategy. The report pack says that the outcomes sought through this strategy are to:

• Continue to identify and remove unacceptable risks to human health and the environment through future development of land,
• Seek to ensure that contaminated land is made suitable for its current use and
• Ensure that the burdens faced by individuals, companies and the community are proportionate, manageable and compatible with the principles of sustainable development.

Revocation of Rumbolds Hill Air Quality Management Area

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Revocation of Rumbolds Hill Air Quality Management Area. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to resolve that the Rumbold's Hill, Midhurst Air Quality Management Area be formally revoked by Order. The report pack notes that the Council has statutory duties with regard to air quality under the regime known as Local Air Quality Management (LAQM), and that under LAQM, authorities must declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) where they have robust data demonstrating that air quality fails one of the National Air Quality Standards and Objectives. The report pack says that the council's ongoing air quality monitoring in three locations at Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst shows that air quality there is now compliant with the national air quality standard (measured as an annual average) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂).

Sussex North Water Certification Scheme (SNWCS) Consortium Agreement

The cabinet will be asked to consider a report regarding the Sussex North Water Certification Scheme (SNWCS) Consortium Agreement. The report pack states that the cabinet will be asked to approve that the Council enters into the Sussex North Water Certification Scheme (SWCWS) proposed consortium agreement in respect of water neutrality, and authorises the Director of Planning and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor Bill Brisbane, to negotiate and agree the final wording of the consortium agreement and then complete the agreement. The report pack notes that in September 2021, Natural England issued a Position Statement to Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, the South Downs National Park Authority, and West Sussex County Council (the affected authorities), outlining that it cannot be concluded that water abstraction is not having an adverse impact on protected habitats in the Arun Valley, and recommending that to avoid further adverse impacts, any future development should demonstrate that it is water neutral². The report pack says that the affected local authorities have worked closely together since 2021, in partnership with Southern Water, Natural England and the Environment Agency to develop a strategic level solution to enable an accessible, affordable water neutrality solution to unlock development, and that in addition to a joint policy approach, now reflected in Policy NE18 of the adopted Chichester Local Plan 2021-2039, the authorities have developed an offsetting scheme known as the Sussex North Water Certification Scheme (SNWCS).

Other items

The agenda for the meeting also includes:

• Chair's Announcements
• Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting on Tuesday 2 September 2025
• Declarations of Interests
• Public Question Time
• Resource Monitor Report 2025 - 26
• Late Items
• Exclusion of the Press and Public to discuss Land at Barnfield Chichester, Lease of multiple units at St James, and an Urgent Decision Notice Business Waste Disposal Contract.