Venue: Committee Room 1 - Civic Centre. View directions
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Apologies and Changes in Panel Membership (If Any) To note any changes in membership of the Panel made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3. Minutes: It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillors McEwing and Thorpe from the Panel, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Mintoff and Lloyd to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.
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Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Subject to the Annual Council Meeting not appointing the Committee’s Chair and Vice Chair to elect the Chair and Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2013/14. Minutes: RESOLVED:- (i) that Councillor Hammond be elected as Chair for the Municipal Year 2014/2015; and (ii) that it be noted that the Vice-Chair would be elected at the next meeting. |
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Review Terms of Reference PDF 29 KB Report of the Assistant Chief Executive setting out the terms of reference and the project plan for the Inquiry, attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive setting out the terms of reference and the project plan for the Inquiry.
RESOLVED:- (i) that the terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted: and (ii) that the outline inquiry project plan as set out in the terms of reference be approved. |
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Introduction to the Review PDF 35 KB Report of the Assistant Chief Executive setting out the introduction to the review on Air Quality, attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel considered the report of the Assistance Chief Executive setting out the introduction to the review on Air Quality.
RESOLVED that the following comments, from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport; the Team Leader from Southampton City Council’s Scientific Services; and Member of the Public be noted and used as evidence in the review.
Councillor Rayment – Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport
Explained that Cllr Shields would be taking the lead on the issue with regards to Public Health. Cabinet position – welcome the review as air quality was not as good as it could or should be. Vibrant City with a very busy port, which bring many benefits, but also creates problems. Air quality has been a matter of considerations since at least 2007. Cabinet were looking at an action plan, but agreed to wait until the scrutiny review had been completed. Concerns about the removal of air monitoring stations – one was not owned by City Council and there were issues with equipment that was not producing accurate readings.
Steve Guppy – Team Leader, Scientific Services
PowerPoint presentation giving a broad overview and covering the following:- Central Government was responsible for air quality, however Local Authorities carry out the function. Measurements were link to “harm”. Assessment process was a three year cycle and currently in fifth round and at the detailed assessment stage. If figures show any issues then an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared. During the assessment process Southampton has declared a total of 10 AQMAs. Most were significantly due to road transport and were in the areas with arterial road links. Explained the network of 50+ diffusion tubes and the 8 locations for continuous monitoring stations. Public Health Implications – possibility that some issues were not just the result of air quality, respiratory health issues could be linked to historic City occupations. Air Quality Action Plan – included an air alert for those residents that have signed up, giving them information when air quality had reach moderate levels or above. This addresses the impact however there was a need to address the levels. Focus was on transport as most of the issues were caused by this. Improvements had been made but had not been delivered as expected. The increase in diesel sales, which contain much higher polluting levels had off-set a lot of the other positive measure that have been introduced. DEFRA had funded a feasibility into introducing a Low Emission Zone along the Western Approach. It was clarified that consultants had been looking the option of a low emission zone for the City. They were indicating that it was possibly not feasible and that a strategy would probably be a better solution. Both options would be presented. EURO6 vehicles would have to achieve test data. Need to consider the cost of improving air quality compared to the cost to public health Need to look at reducing emissions produced rather than the number of vehicles. Many schemes being progressed as part ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |