Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs

Cabinet considered the report of the Mid-Kent Environmental Health Manager and the above Cabinet Member which sought to adopt the Swale Borough Council (SBC) (Interim) Air Quality Action Plan 2017 and to establish a Strategic Air Quality Steering Group (SASAG) to develop the final Strategic Air Quality Action Plan 2018 – 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs explained that the Air Quality Action Plan was previously five action plans merging together to form one strategic plan for the whole Borough, and was interim because the Plan would be going out to consultation.  He drew attention to Table 6.1 on page 31 of the report and highlighted that measures 1 to 14 were new proposals to be evaluated. The Mid-Kent Environmental Health Manager added that SASAG would provide solid, measureable, objectives.

A Member stated that Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) had always been an important subject and asked what work had been carried out so far, and had there been any improvement?  In response, the Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs agreed that AQMA’s had always been important and advised that a range of actions had been considered.  He drew attention to page 11 of the document which included the Eco Stars Scheme 2015-16 of which SBC piloted the first scheme in the country.  The Mid-Kent Environmental Health Manager added that SBC had delivered many Air Quality measures and outcomes including Travel Plans and Freight Travel Plans and had provided an Air Quality technical guidance document, working closely with Planning Services on new development. 

In response to a question from a Member on whether the low emission taxi licensing scheme on table 6.1, section 8 of page 32 included Private Hire, the Mid-Kent Environmental Health Manager advised that it would be discussed with Licensing.

A Member questioned the timing of the consultation going forward and asked that the Faversham Society and 20’s Plenty be added to the list of groups on page 26 of the plan.  There was a discussion around the 20’s Plenty scheme and the Leader stated that whilst he was in support of 20’s Plenty, it may be imprudent to include it as reducing speed may make Air Quality worse.  The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs agreed that 20’s Plenty supported road safety but not Air Quality.  He added that there was no one single action that would cure or improve Air Quality and all impacts and consequences needed to be considered.

The Mid-Kent Environmental Health Manager confirmed that particulates were still being monitored at Ospringe and were shortly to be included in the St. Paul’s Street, Sittingbourne continuous monitoring station.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Swale Borough Council (Interim) Air Quality Action Plan 2017 be adopted.

(2) That the establishment of a Strategic Air Quality Steering Group (SASG) to develop the final Strategic Air Quality Action Plan 2018-2022 be approved.