Lewes District Council welcomes ‘excellent’ report highlighting progress on climate action, biodiversity, housing and community wellbeing

LDC said this report highlights its progress across climate action, biodiversity, housing, community wellbeing and core services. The council explained that it has ‘accelerated’ its climate and sustainability work and has taken ‘major steps’ to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. Councillor Chris Collier, Cabinet Member for Innovation, Delivery and People, said: “Over the past year we have focused on delivering meaningful improvements that strengthen our communities, protect our environment and support residents who need us most. This excellent update shows a council that is ambitious, responsible and committed to improving the lives of every resident.” LDC said its social housing decarbonisation programme is still upgrading council homes with government grant support, adding that this reduces running costs for tenants and improves living standards. LDC said it has delivered ‘a complete transformation of the waste and cleansing fleet’, saying that six fully-electric street cleansing vehicles, including the UK’s first zero‑emissions EV street sweeper, have reduced fleet emissions by more than 98 per cent. The council added that this has also ended diesel use ‘entirely’. LDC said biodiversity work has progressed ‘at pace’ too with pollinator‑friendly planting replacing most annual bedding. The council said it has created year‑round habitats and extended wildlife corridors across the district. It added that its partnerships with organisations like the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and local Friends groups are still supporting nature recovery and climate resilience. The council also said feasibility work at Landport Brooks is moving forward, with modelling now informing the next phase of the environmental project. Councillor Collier said: “I am grateful to our staff, community groups and partner organisations for the energy and dedication they bring throughout the year, making a report like this possible. Above all, it’s all good news for our residents.” LDC’s announcement continued: “The council’s housing service was recently awarded a C2 rating by the Regulator of Social Housing, putting the team amongst a small number nationally achieving this standard. New homes have been secured on larger development sites, grant‑funded acquisitions have increased, and garage infill schemes are moving towards delivery following planning approval. Feasibility on council‑owned land has identified the potential for more than 70 additional homes, forming part of a wider pipeline of 38 sites capable of delivering over 200 properties. The Homes First team was recognised nationally with Homeless Link’s Excellence Award for its holistic approach to preventing homelessness. “Core services have seen notable improvements. Contact centre response times have reduced by an average of 1 minute and 45 seconds compared with last year. The 100% Council Tax Support Scheme continues to protect financially vulnerable residents. Local economic growth has been supported through the LDC start‑up programme, which assisted 27 new and emerging businesses. Community wealth building has also advanced, with council spend with local suppliers rising to 23% and the authority itself now has Living Wage accreditation. “Investment in community wellbeing has delivered upgraded playgrounds, improved pathways, new leisure facilities, expanded car club provision and support for active travel schemes. A total of £483,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy funding has been awarded to local organisations and facilities. The council’s partnership with Charleston continues to provide targeted creative skills training, delivering over 1,000 student placements and 15,000 hours of work experience.”