Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendices and make the following recommendations:

1.    That Cabinet note the responses to the proposed Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst, Air Quality Management Area public consultation exercise.

2.    That Cabinet note the authority delegated to the Director of Planning and the Environment in consultation with the Director of Housing and Communities to make and seal an Air Quality Management Area Order at Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst as shown at Appendix 1 of this report and to commence preparation of an Air Quality Action Plan.

RESOLVED

1.    That the responses to the proposed Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst, Air Quality Management Area public consultation exercise be noted.

2.    That the authority delegated to the Director of Planning and the Environment in consultation with the Director of Housing and Communities to make and seal an Air Quality Management Area Order at Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst as shown at Appendix 1 of this report and to commence preparation of an Air Quality Action Plan be noted.

Mrs Plant introduced the report. She explained that the council has a statutory air quality duty and where an area has failed or is likely to fail air quality an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) must be produced. She confirmed that Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst had failed its nitrogen dioxide levels since 2015 and the council therefore has a statutory obligation to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). She then drew attention to the report detailing the background to the item and referenced the five consultation responses received. She confirmed that officers had been working with Midhurst Vision Steering Group, Midhurst Town Council, South Downs National Park Authority and West Sussex County Council to produce actions for inclusion in the AQAP. The draft AQAP will be brought to Cabinet in mid-2020 prior to going out to consultation.

Mrs Taylor with reference to page 39 of the agenda pack sought clarification on the air pollutants included in the AQMA. Mr Ballard confirmed that the statutory obligation is to measure nitrogen dioxide only. He explained that any actions taken as part of the AQAP are likely to have wider benefits.

Mr Briscoe sought clarification on how nitrogen dioxide is generated. Mrs Plant explained that it is caused as a direct result of a chemical reaction between nitrogen and oxygen. When the two gases meet a heat source such as in a car engine they react and produce nitrogen dioxide.

Mrs Lintill sought clarification on who holds the responsibility for the AQAP. Mr Ballard confirmed that the council is responsible for assessing and then writing the AQAP. The statutory guidance requires both authorities to work together towards a solution.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions below.

RESOLVED

1.    That the responses to the proposed Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst, Air Quality Management Area public consultation exercise be noted.

2.    That the authority delegated to the Director of Planning and the Environment in consultation with the Director of Housing and Communities to make and seal an Air Quality Management Area Order at Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst as shown at Appendix 1 of this report and to commence preparation of an Air Quality Action Plan be noted.