Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were noted.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

In relation to Item 6 on the agenda (Government Waste Strategy Consultation Responses):

Councillor Rupert Kyrle declared personal interests as the Eastleigh Borough Council representative on the Project Integra Strategic Board and as the Eastleigh Borough Council Cabinet Member for Environment.

Councillor Graham Burgess declared a personal interest as the Gosport Borough Council representative on the Project Integra Strategic Board.

Councillor Gary Hughes declared a personal interest as the Havant Borough Council representative on the Project Integra Strategic Board and as the Havant Borough Council Cabinet Member for Contracts and Commercial Services.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman reminded Members about the continued progress regarding cycling issues, routes, and how local authorities can be supported with cycling infrastructure.  Further engagement with cycling groups and experts will determine if a working group or future committee agenda item is more suitable to proceed as noted on the September work programme.

For the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the Government Waste Strategy consultation responses report, which is due to be considered at the Decision Day of the Executive Member for Environment and Transport at 14:00 on 23 April 2019.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment setting out proposed responses to Government Waste Strategy consultations.

Members heard that:

•           The New Waste Strategy has been updated for the first time since 2007 and has systemic implications especially regarding packaging waste.

•           The paper summarizes the context for the council and partners, recycling targets, and EU legislation.

•           The Government will publish further papers based on initial assessment, results, and further consultations. 

•           The final decision and legislation will take place in 2021 and be implemented in 2023 for consistency across all councils in the collection of recycled materials, garden trash, food waste, hazardous waste, etc.

•           There will be a review of cost effectiveness, fiduciary and producer responsibility will be part of further consultations, and full net cost recovery is expected but full clarity not available.

•           The County Council was broadly supportive of scheme but cautious about exactly what new systems will be put into place.

•           Quality, materials, and contamination of recyclables were key, which is determined by the collection, possible comingling, and sorting method.

•           The percentage of recycled content in new products and the prevention of littering in rural areas were key.

•           Different needs of rural vs urban areas in terms of collection of food waste, areas for bins, etc.

•           Waste must be viewed as a resource to effectively and successfully manage disposal, recycling, reuse, etc.

•           Partnerships with local building authority will allow for managing further waste, such as the significant waste the building of each new home.

Members queried as to the advantages, disadvantages, and associated costs of various systems of collection, waste mileage, carbon footprint of collections, preventing contamination of recyclables, infrastructure changes that may be required, public education and buy-in, penalties, new bin storage challenges and possible recycling of redundant ones.

Members discussed the benefits of a simplified, standardized process and efforts to engage and educate the public in limiting waste and maximizing recycling efforts. Future consultations must be robust and lead ultimately to a successful scheme with full funding to undertake appropriate infrastructure and implement changes.

Chairman encouraged further engagement from Members as the consultancy remained open for responses.

RESOLVED:

i)          That the Economy, Transport & Environment Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Environment and Transport these being:

1. That the Executive Member for Environment and Transport notes the content and potential impacts of the Government’s four waste consultations as set out in this report and endorses the key principles in relation to each consultation to form a basis for the County Council’s detailed response.

2. That the Executive Member for Environment and Transport approves the next steps for submission, set out in this report, to include a written letter from the Leader of the County Council to the Government setting out the key principles.

3. That authority is delegated to the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment to make all necessary arrangements to approve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To receive an update from James Moore; Senior Transport Planner, regarding air quality and pollution following it being discussed at Select Committee in April 2018.

The Committee received the update of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment setting out progress made to date with the department's work to improve air quality. 

Members heard that:

•           Air quality and pollution continues to be a high-profile public health issue and local authorities are mandated to take action, if levels are higher than EU and UK legislation deems safe.

•           There are 4 solutions currently being implemented:  incentives for taxis to reduce emissions, upgrading roundabouts, improvements in public transits, and updating cycling infrastructure.

•           As a last resort measure for immediate effect on limits, speed limits have been reduced on A roads to lower Nitrogen Dioxide emissions from diesel engines, which are higher at higher speeds.

•           Air quality and mobility are both critical.

Members queried as to effectiveness of measure in specific areas, building of new homes that lead to more congestion and emissions, camera and police enforcement as well as penalties for speeding drivers, and take significant planned preventative measures to lower emissions well below limits, to be in a position to absorb any future issues.  Limiting trucks and heavy vehicles, as well as business and personal incentives and affordability of cleaner vehicles would help.  Public education, encouraging walking to school, taxes on new dwellings, and collaboration between authorities are key. 

Members discussed the benefits of collaborating with local planning authorities for new and effective resolutions that will better support air quality, as well as lobbying local MPs for additional support.  The Transforming Cities Fund will also contribute to positive changes with greater choice and in sustainable public transportation, as well as new and improved walking and cycling routes. 

RESOLVED:

That the Economy, Transport & Environment Select Committee notes the information provided and requests an update in 9-10 months’ time.

To receive an update from Adrian Gray; Head of Highways and Lindsay Ellarby; Principle Road Safety Officer, following recommendations agreed at the April 2018 meeting regarding the task and finish group .

The Committee received the update of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment setting out progress made to date with the department's work on road safety.

Members heard that:

•           An updated list of schools and academies not participating from free road safety education would be provided so Members are able to follow up with them.

•           60+ drivers and younger drivers (a high-risk group) are provided courses and road safety posters.

•           Speed watch volunteers work with safer neighborhood teams, sending 3 warnings to violators which is followed by a police visit.

•           Five-year analysis of accidents and areas of historic accidents are considered prior to changes and improvements. 

•           School assemblies, enhancing young and elderly drivers’ skills, education and enforcement, and highly skilled drivers and pedestrians are key to safely.

Members queried the recent outcomes and trends to better address if current actions were adequate or more is needed.  Between 2017 and 2018 there was a 3% reduction in overall injuries, but 2% increase in killed and serious injuries.  Strategic mapping and star rating of roads point to areas of concern and funds are being allocated to address these issues. 

Members discussed the importance of education for young drivers in schools and colleges, as well as the need of police support to address systemic speeding.  The 60+ training was also deemed to be very helpful with an upcoming session on the evening of 22 May 2019. Potential changes may arise with autonomous vehicles able to restrict speed, emergency braking systems, etc. but these will have a significant transition period to be widely used and implemented.

Cllr Bill Withers shared apologies for leaving early.

RESOLVED:

That the Economy, Transport & Environment Select Committee notes the information provided and requests that the outcomes and statistics report for road safety be circulated with a further general update provided next year. 

To consider the work programme of topics to be considered by this Select Committee in future.

The Committee considered the work programme outlining upcoming and ongoing items of business.

Members agreed that an overview presentation on strategic transport would be helpful for the upcoming June meeting.

Councillor Thierry suggested that a presentation from Highways England may be useful also incorporating a smart motorways update. Members agreed that this could be requested for a future Select Committee meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed with the following inclusions:

•           Strategic Transport – overview presentation – 4 June 2019

•           Highways England update – at a future meeting