Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services.  The full Plan can be viewed on the Council’s website http://www.exeter.gov.uk or on request to Member Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 3 June 2008 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted updating Members on the Council’s duties relating to local air quality management and the outcome of the consultation exercise for the proposed Air Quality Action Plan. The report also sought approval to the Plan for 2008-11.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 3 June 2008.  Executive shared the concerns of the Committee regarding the impact on air quality of traffic management measures on main City routes and sought reassurance that ward Councillors would be consulted on future proposals.

Executive recommendedthat:-

(1)     a meeting be sought between the Chair of Executive, the Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Community and Devon County Council to seek how the County Council plans to reduce the pollution that is caused along the five routes coming in and out of the City;

(2)     Devon County Council be requested to review the current traffic management arrangements for Sidwell Street, with all local Councillors being involved; and

(3)     Exeter’s Air Quality Action Plan for 2008 –11 be approved.

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted updating Members on the Council’s duties relating to local air quality management and the outcome of the consultation exercise for the proposed Air Quality Action Plan. The report also sought approval to the Plan for 2008-11.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 3 June 2008.  Executive shared the concerns of the Committee regarding the impact on air quality of traffic management measures on main City routes and sought reassurance that ward Councillors would be consulted on future proposals.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(1)     a meeting be sought between the Chair of Executive, the Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Community and Devon County Council to seek how the County Council plans to reduce the pollution that is caused along the five routes coming in and out of the City;

(2)     Devon County Council be requested to review the current traffic management arrangements for Sidwell Street, with all local Councillors being involved; and

(3)     Exeter’s Air Quality Action Plan for 2008 –11 be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services – report circulated.

The Head of Environmental Health Services presented the report updating Members on the Council’s duties relating to local air quality management and the outcome of the consultation exercise for the proposed Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

In response to a Member, he confirmed that not all consultees had responded to the draft Plan although the key consultees had. The same Member had referred to the diversion of Paris Street traffic right into Sidwell Street during the Princesshay works and the subsequent decision of the County Council to retain this traffic flow after the completion of the scheme. This traffic flow had impacted on air quality in the Sidwell Street area and, referring also to air quality along Heavitree Road, he was anxious to know if the County Council were proposing further reviews of traffic management in these areas and that, if so, they should be asked to ensure that Ward Members would be consulted.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to:-

(1)        seek a meeting between its Chair and the Chair of this Committee with the County Council to seek how they plan to reduce the pollution that is caused along the five routes coming in and out of the City;

(2)        agree to requesting the County Council to review the current traffic management arrangements for Sidwell Street, with all local Councillors to be involved; and

(3)        approve the Exeter Air Quality Action Plan 2008-2011.

(Report circulated)