Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Service Manager - Environmental Protection.

The committee received and considered a report of the Service Manager – Environmental Protection, which set out the findings from the draft Air Quality Action Plan consultation and the measures contained within the proposed Air Quality Action Plan.  The committee was invited to make comments and advise on any further work for officers to undertake before the action plan was submitted to the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for comment and approval.  Once approval had been received from DEFRA, the action plan would be submitted to Cabinet for adoption.

The committee considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, points were raised in the following areas:

·            The situation in Chideock was discussed and options considered for improving the air quality in the area

·            The Portfolio Holder for Highways noted that issues raised could be discussed with National Highways

·            The content of the action plan and arrangements for monitoring progress were highlighted

·            Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide levels were undertaken and results submitted to DEFRA on an annual basis, with feedback provided to the Council

·            The impact of the increased use of electric vehicles was raised and reference made to national modelling of Nitrogen Dioxide levels, which showed a reduction in levels over the next few years.  Further modelling could be undertaken within the Council.

Requests for further work were made as follows:

·            Monitoring of progress with the action plan on an annual basis could be a role for the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee

·            Preliminary investigation on the potential for a footbridge at Chideock

·            Further information to be included in the action plan on the possibility of an off-road pedestrian/cycle link between Chideock and Bridport

·            The Executive Director of Place and Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and the Environment to action a meeting with National Highways and provide feedback on the outcome of the discussions.

Decision

That the Place and Resources Overview Committee:

2.1   Have considered the findings from the Draft Air Quality Action Plan consultation and the measures contained within the proposed Air Quality Action Plan 

2.2    Have advised on further work to be undertaken by officers in respect of the proposed Air Quality Action Plan as set out in the notes above

2.3    Support the proposed Air Quality Action Plan for submission to the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for comment and approval.