Agenda item

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Lord, notice of which was given on 27 September 2022.

‘Following the Government’s announcement that they will lift the moratorium on shale gas production and potential changes to planning for hydrocarbons, this Council:

(1)         Requests that any changes to national policy are kept under review to ensure that West Sussex County Council maintains the tightest possible controls on oil and gas exploration and production within West Sussex;

(2)         Asks the Leader to write to our MPs and relevant ministers to remind them of this Council’s position, agreed in 2018, that all planning applications for oil and gas exploration and production should remain with local authorities; and

(3)         Affirms that, while all planning applications will continue to be treated on their individual merits, it believes the future for West Sussex is in renewable energy production not oil and gas.’

133.1  The following motion was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr Cherry.

          ‘Following the Government’s announcement that they will lift the moratorium on shale gas production and potential changes to planning for hydrocarbons, this Council:

(1)         Requests that any changes to national policy are kept under review to ensure that West Sussex County Council maintains the tightest possible controls on oil and gas exploration and production within West Sussex;

(2)         Asks the Leader to write to our MPs and relevant ministers to remind them of this Council’s position, agreed in 2018, that all planning applications for oil and gas exploration and production should remain with local authorities; and

(3)         Affirms that, while all planning applications will continue to be treated on their individual merits, it believes the future for West Sussex is in renewable energy production not oil and gas.’

133.2  An amendment was moved by Cllr Urquhart and seconded by Cllr Kenyonas set out below and accepted by Cllr Lord and her seconder:

          ‘Following the Government’s announcement that they will lift the moratorium on shale gas production, supporting it where there is local community support for it, and potential changes to planning for hydrocarbons, this Council:

(1)        Notes that The British Geological Survey has confirmed that the geology of the Weald Basin, which includes West Sussex, means that there is no significant shale gas potential;

(21)   Requests that any changes to national policy will continue to be are kept under review to ensure that West Sussex County Council maintains the tightest possible planning controls on development oil and gas exploration and production within West Sussex;

(32)   Asks the Leader to write to our MPs and relevant ministers to remind them of this Council’s position, agreed in 2018, that all planning applications for oil and gas exploration and production should remain with local authorities; and

(43)   Affirms that, while all planning applications will continue to be treated on their individual merits, it believes the future for West Sussex is in renewable energy production not oil and gas as evidenced by the Rampion wind farm, numerous solar farms and the exciting hydrogen projects underway.’

133.3  The motion, as amended, was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.35.

(a)        For motion – 57

Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baxter, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Condie, Cllr Cornell, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr Johnson, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Linehan, Cllr Lord, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Patel, Cllr Payne, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Richardson, Cllr Russell, Cllr Sharp, Cllr Smith, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Turley, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall, Cllr Wickremaratchi and Cllr Wild.

(b)        Against the motion – 0

(c)         Abstentions – 0

133.4  The amended motion as set out below was carried.

‘Following the Government’s announcement that they will lift the moratorium on shale gas production, supporting it where there is local community support for it, and potential changes to planning for hydrocarbons, this Council:

(1)         Notes that The British Geological Survey has confirmed that the geology of the Weald Basin, which includes West Sussex, means that there is no significant shale gas potential;

(2)         Requests that any changes to national policy will continue to be kept under review to ensure that West Sussex County Council maintains the tightest possible planningcontrols on development within West Sussex;

(3)         Asks the Leader to write to our MPs and relevant ministers to remind them of this Council’s position, agreed in 2018, that all planning applications for oil and gas exploration and production should remain with local authorities; and

(4)         Affirms that, while all planning applications will continue to be treated on their individual merits, it believes the future for West Sussex is in renewable energy production not oil and gas as evidenced by the Rampion wind farm, numerous solar farms and the exciting hydrogen projects underway.’