Issue - meetings

That an eight week public consultation on the proposed Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document be commenced, as set out within Appendix A of report CAB3279, the findings of which will then be reported back to a future Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Murphy introduced the report highlighting that the production of an AQ SPD was a core action of the Air Quality Action Plan and in addition to improving air quality, it could also attract investment in green technology and sustainable travel.  The Service Lead: Public Protection outlined the background and detail of the proposals.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Pearson addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Queried why the AQ SPD only applied to the Winchester town area and did not cover the wider district?  Believed that the document was a useful starting point to improving air quality but in view of proposals set out in the current Environment Bill, he questioned whether it went far enough to control particulate emissions. 

The Service Lead: Public Protection responded to questions raised, including confirming that the Council did monitor air quality across the district, but it was only in the Winchester town area that Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceeded national standards which is why there is a designated air quality management area. The Head of Regulatory confirmed that preparation for the new local plan could examine whether other policies to address air quality matters were required.

Cabinet agreed that the proposed public consultation period be extended to eight weeks to coincide with the consultation on the Strategic Issues and Priorities document and the report’s recommendation be amended accordingly.

Cabinet agreed the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

That an eight week public consultation   on the proposed Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document be commenced, as set out within Appendix A of report CAB3279, the findings of which will then be reported back to a future Cabinet meeting.