Question submitted by Councillor Hook:-
There appears to be an epidemic of over flowing litter and dog waste bins. I read of a new policy relating to the issue, but no one seems to be aware of it. Could the PH make the new policy available to all members and explain how and when it will begin to impact positively on the problem many of us are aware of?”
Question submitted by Councillor John Nutley:-
Would the Leader state if Teignbridge District Council has any investments in companies carrying out fracking. If so, from what source does the money come? Does he think supporting the production and use of fossil fuels is compatible with this councils declared aims of fighting climate change?
Question submitted by Councillor David Cox:-
Bitton Park Road Air Quality:
Teignmouth is still waiting for the Council to publish its (statutory) review of the 2009 Air Quality Action Plan.
The review was
completed more than 18 months ago but has not yet been 'signed
off'. The 2016 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR),
published in June 2017, states under Conclusions and
Priorities -"The main priority for the Council is to ensure that
the Action Plan is approved. This would then allow us to pursue
what will be a more targeted set of actions within this
Plan."
Given that available data for Bitton
Park Road continue to indicate annual levels of NO2 significantly
in excess of targeted values this remains an area of concern for
Teignmouth. Please can a date be set fort publication of the Review
and a plan for a targeted set of actions?
Minutes:
Question submitted by Councillor Hook:-
There appears to be an epidemic of over flowing litter and dog waste bins. I read of a new policy relating to the issue, but no one seems to be aware of it. Could the PH make the new policy available to all members and explain how and when it will begin to impact positively on the problem many of us are aware of?”
Answer by the Portfolio Holder for Environment Services
I believe the policy which Cllr Hook refers to is the recently adopted ‘Litter and Dog Bin Policy’. This was circulated to all members for consultation in June 2018 as part of the adoption process and is available on request. The Council did not previously have a written policy in place to explain the provision of litter and dog waste bins so this provided clarification on the following
On rare occasions the scheduled empties of litter bins cannot be completed on time due to unforeseen operational issues. Often litter bins are misused and filled with black bag waste or the victim of seagulls. These issues are always identified and rectified swiftly by our hardworking and conscientious street cleansing team.
Full litter bins can be reported online at https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/community-and-people/clean-teignbridge/litter/report-a-full-litter-bin/
Supplementary question
Councillor G Hook asked a supplementary question that the Portfolio Holder think the litter and graffiti hit squad that the Liberal Democrats had proposed in the last budget would help solve the problems? The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services stated that he did not, he continued that the cleaning team worked hard in what can be operational difficult situations.
Question submitted by Councillor John Nutley:-
Would the Leader state if Teignbridge District Council has any investments in companies carrying out fracking. If so, from what source does the money come? Does he think supporting the production and use of fossil fuels is compatible with this councils declared aims of fighting climate change?
Answer by the Leader:-
We do not invest in companies that are directly involved in fracking.
I am not aware of any investments we have that would be linked to companies involved in fracking.
We lend funds on a temporary basis but only to banks, building societies and financial institutions in order to gain an interest return.
I would not know whether they themselves may have invested in companies that carry out such practice and it would be very difficult to find that out.
We also pay monies to Peninsular pensions in relation to our pension scheme. They (Peninsular) decide where this money is invested in order to make a return to pay pension liabilities. Again they would invest in companies on the stock market but I wouldn’t know whether those companies are involved in fracking.
Supplementary question
In response to a supplementary question the Leader commented that it was very unlikely that fracking would take place in Teignbridge as the area had very little shale.
Question submitted by Councillor David Cox:-
Bitton Park Road Air Quality:
Teignmouth is still waiting for the Council to publish its (statutory) review of the 2009 Air Quality Action Plan.
The review was completed more than 18 months ago but
has not yet been 'signed off'. The 2016 Air Quality Annual
Status Report (ASR), published in June 2017, states under
Conclusions and Priorities -"The main priority for the Council is
to ensure that the Action Plan is approved. This would then allow
us to pursue what will be a more targeted set of actions within
this Plan."
Given that available data for Bitton
Park Road continue to indicate annual levels of NO2 significantly
in excess of targeted values this remains an area of concern for
Teignmouth. Please can a date be set fort publication of the Review
and a plan for a targeted set of actions?
Answer by the Portfolio Holder for Health & Well-Being
Thank you for the question and I am pleased to explain what actions have been taken.
The original Air Quality Action Plan was published in March 2010 and contained 98 measures. As part of the revision process a number of actions had been completed (21 actions) and the draft plan has a new more realistic list of 25 measures. Whilst these are only in draft format officers are using these as a working draft.
Delays in submission to Defra have been caused by a number of new policy and strategy documents being produced by central government. Officers have been required to consider these to ensure the action plan is relevant.
Whilst a revised Air Quality Action Plan has been produced this has not meant officers have been unable to progress actions. Work continues mitigating the impact of new development, working with Devon County Council on electric vehicle charging points and developing a Council policy on electric and low emission vehicle use.
Officers have spoken to Devon County Council and unfortunately the current view of the Planning, Transportation and Environment team is that technically any major improvement of Bitton Park Road that might improve air quality is unlikely to be deliverable. The factors being:-
· Side road accesses
· Businesses
· Mature infrastructure
· Limited space
· Pedestrian crossings
· Frontage development
This places more importance on the measures within the control of Teignbridge to ensure that new development does not increase exposure to poor air quality or contribute to an increase in nitrogen dioxide levels.
I can confirm that the draft Air Quality Action Plan has now been submitted to Defra for technical consideration. When this is returned I have asked officers to bring a report to Overview and Scrutiny Committee so members can consider the actions. Updates will continue to be provided to members via the Clean Scene programme of actions under the Council Strategy. Whilst the response of Defra is not within my control I would be disappointed if they did not respond before the end of this year.
Supplementary question
In response to a supplementary question the Portfolio Holder for Health & Well-Being advised that the Council was aware of the need to enhance the footpath at Britton Park. Members would be circulated with the 25 measures included in the draft Air Quality Action Plan submitted to Defra.