Issue - meetings

To consider the Local Energy East Strategy report.

RESOLVED to endorse the Local Energy East Strategy.

Councillor Barker presented the Local Energy East Strategy report. She said the ambitions and objectives of the strategy were aligned with principles of sustainable economic growth, and the ambitions mirrored the Council’s own Climate Local Strategy. If endorsed, Members were informed that the Council could capitalise on local energy growth initiatives and utilise additional resources for the development of the proposed Garden Communities.

In response to a Member question, the Director – Public Services said these initiatives had been considered in the Local Plan, and energy efficiency was a key aspect of design.

                        RESOLVED to endorse the Local Energy East Strategy.

Public Speaking

Councillor Lemon spoke in support of listing the Black Horse Inn, White Roding as an Asset of Community Value. He said White Roding needed the Black Horse Inn to ensure the community remained sustainable, and to continue to grow in the future. The Inn was a social hub of the community and was used by various local groups; if the Inn was to disappear, there would be nowhere in the village for these groups to meet. 

Councillor David Bardell spoke on behalf of White Roding Parish Council and in support of listing the Black Horse Inn as an Asset of Community Value. He said the Parish Council objected to the proposal to turn the Inn into a private dwelling as it was the last pub in the village. He said if the pub was run effectively it could thrive, create a focal point for the village and serve the needs of local residents. Local development was occurring and the pub presented the best chance for developing community cohesion.

Will Blostone spoke on behalf of the Save the Black Horse Inn group and in support of the listing. He said if the pub was not listed there was a good chance it would disappear forever, severely damaging community life in the village. The pub hosted local groups and clubs and furthered the social wellbeing of the community. He said it was for business reasons that the pub had failed, not due to a lack of demand from locals.