Members of the public are being asked for their views on a strategy which could see the district council become a carbon neutral organisation 20 years ahead of the national target.

Rother District Council declared a climate emergency in September last year and has now produced a draft Environment Strategy and action plan to help it reach its target by 2030.

Residents and businesses are being asked to give their views on the strategy online at www.rother.gov.uk/EnvironmentStrategy. Feedback will be considered by councillors when they make their final decision on the document.

Cllr Kathryn Field, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and transport and chair of the climate change steering group, said: “The issue of climate change is an extremely important one that affects each and every one of us, and it is vital that we all play a part in addressing it.

“The drive to go carbon neutral has already started in Rother with changes to buildings, such as the addition of solar panels and new, energy efficient windows and roofs, more opportunity for staff to work from their homes to cut down on travel, and schemes to encourage greener travel.

“But we appreciate that greater change is needed if we are to meet our ambitious targets, and we want our residents to tell us what they think. I would encourage as many people as possible to give us feedback that will help ensure we are taking the right approach.”

Ahead of the consultation Cllr Lynn Langlands, a member of the climate change steering group, visited Year 6 pupils at Little Common School in Bexhill to discuss what action they felt was needed to address the issue.

Cllr Langlands was joined by older residents who spoke to the pupils about their memories of things they did in their daily lives that helped the environment, ahead of pupils producing artwork to illustrate what they felt the main problems were.

The consultation on the strategy will take place between Tuesday, February 25 and Monday, May 18, and three events will take place across the district to help residents understand the strategy and its potential impact.

Three following events will be held between 2pm and 7pm to ensure people of all ages and those working are able to attend;

• Bexhill Museum, Egerton Road, Bexhill – Thursday, April 23
• Battle Memorial Hall, High Street, Battle – Thursday, April 30
• St Mary’s Centre, Church Square, Rye – Wednesday, May 13

As part of the strategy, the district council launched an initiative to increase the number of trees within the district and are asking residents, businesses and community groups to record new trees planted on an interactive map.

More information about the strategy and the action place, details of the events and details of how to take part in the consultation can be found at www.rother.gov.uk/EnvironmentStrategy

Published: 25th February 2020