Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Environment Services is invited to present his priorities and areas of focus over the coming months and to answer questions from the committee on progress towards achieving the priorities within his portfolio which appear in the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Chairman welcomed Mr John Connor, the Cabinet Member for Environment Services, to the meeting.

Ms A Stevens, Environment Manager, was present to support Mr Connor and to answer any questions.

Mr Connor gave a presentation on his priorities and areas of focus over the coming months and on progress achieved over the last six months on projects within his portfolio which appear in the council’s Corporate Plan.

The committee made the following comments and received answers to questions as follows:

·             Areas which are designated as air quality management areas are monitored constantly. A monthly assessment of pollution levels is taken by diffusion tube in other areas. There had been a slight decrease in nitrogen dioxide figures however it was anticipated that there would be no overall improvement in air quality. Actions are being taken which are consistent with what the government would expect local authorities to be taking to manage air quality such as modal shift initiatives. A move to car clubs, improvement in technology with introduction of electric vehicles and cleaner petrol and diesel engines will improve the figures in the long term.

·             Mr Galloway had been asked to be a member of the Air Quality Working Group. Mr S Morley is Midhurst’s representative on the group.

·             Issues of pollution, traffic jams and highway repairs at Midhurst and the possible solutions: Traffic and congestion such as is found at Rumbolds Hill, which results in pollution, is outside of local authority control. Monitoring has been undertaken on Rumbolds Hill and results showed that it could possibly be declared an ‘air quality area’. Further modelling is required to support the monitoring and as such this problem is on the Air Quality Working Group agenda.  If an air quality management area (AQMA) was put in place it would allow the council more influence in areas such as local transport planning with WSCC, encouraging initiatives such as hybrid buses (which could be fitted with devices to allow them to automatically go electric once they hit certain areas). Emissions from diesel engines were constantly improving. The next generation would see more car sharing, more use of electric bikes and cars and a subsequent reduction in emissions. Routing lorries elsewhere was a regional transport issue. It was not possible to declare an area as an air quality management area immediately. We would need to undertake modelling, would need to consider possible mitigating actions and it would be a Cabinet and Full Council decision. Ms Stevens undertook to take this away as a matter of priority.

·             The vulnerability of our coastline to a 1:100 year flooding event: Coastal defences are robustly maintained however the risk of storm surge at any time cannot be predicted. Within 20-30 years we would need to look at raising coast defences by about half a metre. The Medmerry Realignment Scheme was built to reduce that risk to the coastline around Selsey.

·             LPG gas leakages in commercial site tanks (issue raised after explosion in Scotland recently): The council is actively investigating this area. 

·             Increased use of lorries at Pendean Sandpit:  Environment officers provide advice and recommend planning conditions through the planning system from an air quality, pollution and noise viewpoint.  The problem of numbers of lorries would be investigated and reported back to OSC.

·             Public toilets: Falls within the responsibilities of the Cabinet Member for Contract Services.

·             Cycle paths: Officers have good relationships with WSCC officers and cycle lobby groups to ensure Chichester's interests are integrated into the local transport planning system which is WSCC remit. Officers are consulted on the WSCC road space audit and transport planning policies. Officers are also feeding into the Local Plan Review process to ensure that there are relevant policies within the council’s Local Plan. Chichester Vision has been shaped to ensure that we have an integrated alternative transport route. There has been an increase in cycles in the district with increased demand for cycle routes.

·             Caravan site licenses - the layout and spacing between caravans and boundaries applying equally to private and gypsy sites: It was thought this had more to do with the welfare of visitors to a caravan site and may not apply in domestic situations. Ms Stevens undertook to respond to members with more information.

·             Concern about activities taking place under permitted development rights and the increase in camping/tents at Tinwood Lane, Chichester and The White Horse, Chilgrove and music temporary event licences. Ms Stevens undertook to investigate this and respond to members.

·             Uber licencing: All drivers are treated as private hire. There had been an increase in out of area drivers coming into the Chichester area to get a licence. A knowledge test had been introduced to manage expectations in line with London authorities. Mrs Jones undertook to circulate information which had appeared in the Members’ Bulletin recently.

·             Increase in numbers of cafes and restaurants in the area: The team was fully resourced to ensure food hygiene checks were undertaken.

 A copy of Mr Connor’s presentation will be appended to the minutes of this meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Environment portfolio holder’s oral report be noted.