Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ford.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2018 as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by any member in connection with an agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

To receive a presentation on and to consider the draft plan, to advise the Cabinet prior to the plan’s submission to the Secretary of State for approval.

Please note:  the report to the Cabinet, including the Air Quality Plan, will be published on 10 December and may be of assistance to you at this meeting.

The Panel received a presentation on the work that had been carried out, in conjunction with Southampton City Council, to address the identified air quality issues in Southampton.  A small part of this District, a 1 km stretch of the A35 leading up to the boundary with Southampton, was also included.  This was part of the UK plan to address air quality on roads that were predicted to exceed EU limits for nitrogen dioxide after 2020.  The identification of the affected roads had been based on national air quality modelling and took into account real time vehicle emissions.  It was a requirement that nitrogen dioxide concentrations must be improved at identified areas in the UK to meet EU Ambient Air Quality Directive (EU AAQD) in the shortest time possible.

An extensive amount of work had been carried out locally allowing local air quality modelling to be carried out using local data and conditions, including information from real-time air quality monitors at key locations.  The modelling covered Totton; A35, A36 and A326 and the national model road links.

A combination of factors, including traffic movements being fewer than assumed in the national modelling exercise; traffic being more free flowing along the A35 than predicted; and improvements in emission performance of both HGVs and cars/vans meant that the target area in this District would meet the required EU Air Quality Directive by 2019. As no additional measures had been identified that would bring compliance forward, the National Joint Air Quality Unit, who had been consulted and advised throughout the process, had therefore indicated that a “business as usual” approach locally was acceptable.

Although the required standards would be met without additional measures, it was intended that air quality should remain a high priority and a further programme of work was therefore planned for the future:

•      Monitoring of nitrogen dioxide would continue on the roadside of the A35 in the New Forest using a real-time monitor and diffusion tubes

•      There would be continued partnership working with:

–     Southampton City Council (producing their Final Plan in January 2019)

–     Hampshire County Council (transport and public health)

–     Local businesses / residents

–     Regional groups

•      Research into any funding streams available to this Council

•      An Air Quality Strategy for the New Forest would be produced as part of the overarching Environmental Strategy.

It was noted that the Council was taking a proactive approach to the issue, looking at the emission performance of its own fleet of vehicles, and also investigating the installation of additional electric vehicle charging points in Council car parks.  Homeworking and encouraging the use of cycling by staff would also contribute.

Members thanked the officers for their hard work in progressing this issue.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Portfolio Holder be advised that the Panel support the proposed air quality plan and commended it to them for consideration by the Cabinet; and

(b)       The proposed longer term programme of work to enhance air quality in the district  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.