Issue - meetings

In considering the Report of the Task Group on Air Quality and Congestion (Minute 72), the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 12 June 2018 had RESOLVED

‘that the Task Group and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet with a view to undertaking further work on this issue as appropriate’.

Recommendations

(a) that the Scrutiny Task Group be thanked for their report on Air Quality and Congestion;

(b) that  Cabinet welcomes the report and is pleased to see that the five recommendations outlined in the report follow a long-term behaviour change approach to tackling the identified challenges;

(c) recommendations 1,2 3, and 5 of the report be supported and the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be asked to progress work to deliver on these.  The recommendations align with current Council strategy for tackling air quality and offer good value for money;

(d) on recommendation 4, the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be asked to undertake a high-level evidence-based appraisal of the viability of a bus pass for young people.  However, it be noted that the Task Group report does not provide sufficient evidence to warrant such a scheme at the present.  Such a pass would be costly (in the region of £6m a year) and would target a group that already show some of the most sustainable travel behaviours across the whole population.

(Councillors Atkinson, Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Task Group on Air Quality and Congestion (Minute *72), and noted that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee had, at its meeting on 12 June 2018, RESOLVED

‘that the Task Group and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet with a view to undertaking further work on this issue as appropriate’.

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Scrutiny Task Group be thanked for their Report on Air Quality and Congestion;

(b) that  Cabinet welcomes the Report and is pleased to see that the five recommendations outlined in the report follow a long-term behaviour change approach to tackling the identified challenges;

(c) recommendations 1,2 3, and 5 of the Report be supported and the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be asked to progress work to deliver on these.  The recommendations align with current Council strategy for tackling air quality and offer good value for money;

(d) on recommendation 4, the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be asked to undertake a high-level evidence-based appraisal of the viability of a bus pass for young people.  However, it be noted that the Task Group Report does not provide sufficient evidence to warrant such a scheme at the present.  Such a pass would be costly (in the region of £6m a year) and would target a group that already show some of the most sustainable travel behaviours across the whole population.

Report of the Task Group (CSO/18/20), attached.

(Councillor Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Committee received the Report of the Air Quality and Congestion Task Group (CSO/18/20) and noted the recommendations contained therein.  The Chair of the Task Group thanked everyone involved with the preparation of the Report and stated that note had been taken of what had been said earlier in the meeting during the Public Participation item.

Councillor Hodgson welcomed the recommendations made in the Report and acknowledged that it was a national issue affecting health, safety, obesity and quality of life, where a change in behaviour was challenging.  There was a need to look long term at reducing air pollution and congestion by concentrating on the next generation.

It was MOVED by Councillor Brook, SECONDED by Councillor Bloxham and

RESOLVED that the Task Group and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet with a view to undertaking further work on this issue as appropriate.