Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman reminded Members that the new start time for the Committee had been agreed by Group Leaders on a trial basis.  Members were encouraged to feedback their views, after the next meeting, on the benefits or otherwise of the new timings.  He asked that they should not only consider their own needs but to consider the timings for new Members.

The Council’s Environmental Protection Manager provided a presentation on the UK Air Quality Plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide, during his presentation he made reference to the following:

·       principle duties: to monitor, measure and report on local air quality and to identify any areas where local air quality is poor.  Areas failing the National Objective require an action plan to improve air quality;

·       4 locations in Teignbridge where levels are above the National Objective and which have Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA’s):

o   Dawlish (Iddesleigh Terrace);

o   Teignmouth (Bitton Park Road);

o   Kingskerswell;

o   Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton.

·       Draft UK Air Quality Plan (AQP) 2017 – national screening had been carried out and identified 75 local authorities, 6 councils in the South West were identified in the draft AQP, these included Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Plymouth, Poole and South Gloucestershire and and South Gloucestershire and were required to take additional measures to develop specific local plans to ensure they meet legal limits within 3-4 years;

·       Final plan requires 29 local authorities to take additional measures to develop specific local plans to ensure they meet legal limits within 3-4 years.  Teignbridge is not one of these authorities;

·       Teignbridge has considered the Plan as good practice and has considered what it can do to bring forward compliance with the objectives;

·       Additional measures considered from the UK AQ Plan included: non-charging clean air zones; accelerating fleet turnover, investment in retrofitting.  The Council is investigating this with other local authorities.

During discussion, particular reference was made to:

(a)        opportunities for the Council to improve air quality, a suggestion the Council could work with taxi companies to highlight good practice such as fleet turnover;

(b)        AQMA – it was noted that Kingskerswell still had a AQMA, it was noted that DEFRA required 3 years of data before it could be revoked;

(c)        joint working.  The Environmental Protection Manager advised that officers across Devon authorities were working to reduce any impact the imposition of a Clean Air Zone in Bristol may have on the rest of Devon; 

(d)        Teignmouth Triangle and idling buses increasing pollution.  It was agreed the officer would investigate the Members’ concern outside of the meeting;

(e)        Balland Lane, Ashburton – it was agreed the officer would provide monitoring information to the Member.

The Chairman and Members thanked the officer for his presentation.

Members are invited to discuss their input in to the review of the Economic Development Plan (to consider setting up a review group) and to discuss making representations to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) White Paper, a briefing paper will be prepared and circulated prior to the meeting. 

The Council’s Economy Manager asked for expressions of interest from Members to sit on a review group to respond to the Local Enterprise Partnership productivity strategy which had been released for consultation. He advised that officers would draft a response for consideration by the Group, the final document would be reviewed by Members at the next meeting.

Officers were also undertaking a review of the Economic Delivery Plan, Members were asked to assist with consultation with local businesses which would be used to inform the Plan and improve the strategy.

In response to a question, Members noted that officers were interacting with local businesses via social media, Chambers of Commerce and other business networks.  Their support in contacting local businesses to complete the short questionnaire was encouraged, he also suggested that local Members would be aware of businesses and could be the link between them and the Council, they could be champions for the consultation process.

A Member raised her concern that the Council was not currently meeting its target for delivering employment land and was advised that currently there were no sites within the plan ready to come forward for development.

It was agreed that the Group Leaders would seek nominations.

The Executive Forward Plan was noted.

to identify any areas of work for future meetings of the Committee.

The Committee noted its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.  The following item was highlighted for inclusion:

·       Role of Local Members – the Monitoring Officer suggested a review group be formed to look at opportunities available to deliver community leadership and T10 Stronger Communities.  It was agreed he would be asked to provide a detailed scoping document for the Group Leaders.