Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 7

The Committee had a report before it attached as item 6, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to a signed copy of these minutes. The report before members explained that a West sussex Air Quality Plan had been developed and the report outlined the plan and its role in assisting Adur and Worthing to improve air quality across the area

Representatives from West Sussex County Council were present to answer questions.

A member asked the following question: In light of the recent British Lung Foundation report that highlighted PM2.5 levels above the WHO limit, suggesting Worthing is experiencing unsafe levels, could there be a recommendation for the air quality plan to assess air quality in sites where people may be particularly vulnerable to its impacts (The hospital, local Schools) and develop further action depending on findings? Members were told that areas within 10km of readings were likely to have similar readings. Worthing did have an AQMA and systems had a cost and officer time to manage. Cheaper technology would be available in the future. Discussions could be had with the NHS about future detection.

A member asked the following question: The AQMA for Shoreham High Street was designated in 2005 and Nox levels have escalated in this time as well as feed in roads. Are you working to an objective avoiding DEFRAs breach of over 40uqm annually or another objective, if so what is it? Member were told that levels had decreased over the last few years (from 40ugm in 2016 to 33 in 2018). The Council had a statutory duty to work to legal limits.

A member asked the following question: Due to the equivocal evidence that anti-idling signs are effective, have fixed penalty idling charges been considered in light of our behaviour change strategy? Members were told that evidence needed to introduce fixed penalty notices was not robust enough. There were plans to focus on education and there were plans to focus on an anti idling behaviour change campaign.

A member asked the following question: Page 13 - The doubling of 3 to 6% of students cycling to school. How are you working to increase this further? West Sussex County Council were working with schools to increase rates and pointed to successes of the living streets project, the walk and cycling strategy for the county. There was also a widespread bikeability scheme offered to all year six pupils.

A member asked the following question: What work have you done to promote car share schemes? Members were told that an answer would be provided as the information was not to hand

A member asked the following question: I have been told that a WSCC road space audit will tackle traffic easing, is this your understanding and how does it fit with your work? Members were told about the process of the road space audit and how a number of factors could promote the easing of traffic

A member asked about the receipt of section 106 monies and how this money was spent on environmental issues and whether figures could be given for over the previous five to six years. A representative from West Sussex told the Committee that he would look into getting the information supplied to the Committee

A member asked why there was a small number of schools participating in the school air quality projects and was told that the scheme was voluntary and that schools had a number of competing priorities. Initially there had been limited funding for a number of schools to join the scheme and it had been voluntary from there after.

A member asked how early in the planning process developers contacted public transport companies in the early phases of large developments and was told that the matter would be referred to the West Sussex director for Highways and transport. Members were informed about the work being undertaken with colleagues from Brighton and Hove bus company to try to encourage the use of low emission vehicles on Shoreham high street.

A question was asked about the costs of bikeability and the committee was told that a charge was introduced but that more information on this would be clarified later.

A member noted that there existed a quality bus partnership that he was a member of and it was agreed that a recommendation go forward to West sussex that the Quality Bus Partnership is rejuvenated and that it emcompasses both Adur and Worthing

Resolved: that West Sussex be recommended to rejuvenate the quality bus partnership and that both Adur and Worthing representatives be invited to attend