Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and make the following resolutions as set out below:

1.     That Cabinet approves in principle the proposed Air Quality Management Area, as illustrated in Appendix 1, in line with the Council’s statutory Local Air Quality Management duties.

2.     That Cabinet authorises commencement of a public consultation exercise regarding the proposed Air Quality Management Area.

RESOLVED

1.     That Cabinet approves in principle the proposed Air Quality Management Area, as illustrated in Appendix 1, in line with the Council’s statutory Local Air Quality Management duties.

2.     That Cabinet authorises commencement of a public consultation exercise regarding the proposed Air Quality Management Area.

Mrs Plant introduced the item. She explained that district and borough councils have statutory air quality duties known as Air Quality Management. The Government sets a number of air quality objectives and where an authority has evidence that an area is likely to fail any of these objectives it must by order declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and produce an Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) to work towards compliance with the objectives. To date the council has declared three AQMA’s. Following air quality results recorded in the last four years for Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst the area has failed the annual mean level objective for nitrogen dioxide. The council is therefore obliged by statute to declare an AQMA but must first seek Cabinet approve to go out to consultation.

Mr Wilding requested clarification on what can be done to solve the problems. Mr Ballard confirmed that the statutory obligation is to declare an AQMA. The council would then work with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to write an AQMP. With reference to section 9.2 of the report Mr Ballard explained that although there is no guarantee of a resolution the council would discuss any possible resolutions with WSCC as the Highways authority.

Mrs Lintill then allowed Mrs Sharp to speak. Mrs Sharp asked the Cabinet to consider section 9.2 of the report and a lack of a guarantee of any significant intervention. She then asked the Cabinet to consider the potential of court action against the council due to the effects on residents of the area. Mr Ballard explained that the council has and continues to be very proactive in tackling air pollution issues. He noted Mrs Sharp’s concerns.

Mrs Lintill then allowed Dr O’Kelly to speak. Dr O’Kelly explained that the Midhurst Vision has identified significant issues with the traffic levels and environment impact of Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst. She requested that the council work closely with the Midhurst Vision in solving the problem.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions below.

RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet approves in principle the proposed Air Quality Management Area, as illustrated in Appendix 1, in line with the Council’s statutory Local Air Quality Management duties.

2.    That Cabinet authorises commencement of a public consultation exercise regarding the proposed Air Quality Management Area.