Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the work that is required for Hampshire County Council to assist the Government and District Councils in reaching compliance with a ministerial direction related to air quality exceedances of nitrogen dioxide at various locations in Hampshire, as set out in the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the work that is required for Hampshire County Council to assist the Government and District Councils in reaching compliance with a ministerial direction related to air quality exceedances of nitrogen dioxide at various locations in Hampshire, as set out in the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The report is due for consideration by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport in the afternoon on 24 April.

The Select Committee received a report on behalf of the Director of Economy Transport & Environment, regarding Air Quality in Hampshire (see Item 7 in the Minute Book). The report was due to be considered by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport at his decision day later that day.

Members heard that the County Council was required to take action in response to a Ministerial Direction regarding tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations at particular locations in Hampshire that exceed EU legal limits. The timescales for submitting a business case setting out costed options to reduce the impact in those areas were challenging (by 31 December 2018).

It was discussed that various measures were being considered, and the likely approach would be a combination of factors. It was noted that air quality was a broad topic with public health implications, and a report on the wider issues would be taken to Cabinet in due course.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Environment and Transport in section 1 of the report.