The Net Zero pledge by Reform UK candidates to "re-direct 60m from unnecessary Net Zero projects to roads and infrastructure” is nothing more than fantasy, say Conservatives running West Sussex.
To state facts, the county's ennvironment budget stands at a net figure of £71m.
· Over 63m of the net revenue portfolio budget is dedicated to supporting waste disposal and recycling infrastructure which we cannot live without.
· Work continues on reducing waste going to landfill (West Sussex saw a 3.1% reduction in 2025 bucking the national trend.)
· Alternative disposal methods used i.e. through Refuse Derived Fuel contract and Food Waste collections
· Food Waste must be collected separately as part of Section 45a of the government’s Simpler Recycling policy.
· £15m is being invested into the Mechanical Biological Treatment plant to facilitate the acceptance of food waste and improve facilities at waste transfer stations
· The benefits of being able to process food waste at the improved facilities will save the council £4.5m in cost avoidance for transportation.
· £7.7m grant funding has been set with respect to the council meeting its obligations around packaging materials as part of the simpler recycling regulations
· Previous investment in renewable technology has enabled the County Council to be protected from volatile energy markets over recent years and has benefited from income generation from Solar installations.
· West Sussex is investing £23.6m in a standalone battery energy storage system and once operational will deliver a return on investment of circa £1.38m (6%) per annum additional income for council services.
