Decision - Replacement of Brighton & Hove Sustainability Checklist

(1)         That the Cabinet Member endorses the replacement of the currently outsourced Sustainability Checklist with a new in-house version hosted by the council’s ICT services.

(2)         That the Cabinet Member agrees the timetable of production, testing, and implementation of the new in-house Sustainability Checklist by 1 April 2011.

(3)         That approval be given for the in-house version of the Brighton & Hove Sustainability Checklist to be adopted, subject to any minor non-material alterations agreed by the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

To ensure there is detailed, up to date, clear advice to all those with an interest in the development process on relevant sustainable design policies.

To deliver more effective implementation of sustainable building policies and improved monitoring.

To enable the local planning authority to prepare for implementation of the new checklist and local planning applicants/agents, members and officers to familiarise themselves with its contents and functionality.

The alternative to developing an in-house checklist is the ‘do nothing’ option. That is, to secure £3,400 per year to keep the current checklist in place. This option was considered less cost-effective than developing an in-house version.