Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services (copy enclosed).

The committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community providing Members with an update of the latest results of the Air Quality monitoring in the district, advising on the necessity to declare an Air Quality Management Area along Market Hill, Maldon, and requesting funding is made available for the subsequent specialist work required.

Members were advised that the Maldon District Council 2018 Air Quality Management Area Preliminary Report was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and a Proposal to Produce an Air Quality Action Plan for Maldon District Council was attached at Appendix 2 to the report. 

A discussion ensued and the following concerns were raised:

-      that given the fact we already have diffusion monitoring stations collecting data why wsa the AQAP so expensive;

-      that a full breakdown of the costs involved in producing the AQAP be provided as this was taxpayer’s money and a huge expense;

-      that if we cannot mitigate the problem we may be unable to deliver the LDP;

-      that the Policy Manager’s views be sought as this could impact on Planning Policy;

-      that this report should be confidential given the potential negative impact on the

market value of properties in the area;

-      that this was potentially a public health issue and we have a duty of care to alert

residents to the dangers;

-      that the crux of the matter relates to unloading and loading on the High Street,

causing the build-up of traffic on Market Hill;

-      that potentially the issues are across a wider area e.g. the Causeway;

-      that despite being proactive and raising this issue previously with the Highways Panel, to stop parking during the day on the High Street, this authority now has to bear the cost. There should be some recompense by Essex County Council (ECC) toward the cost of the Air Quality Action Plan;

The Director of Customers and Community, in response, advised the Committee that it was a legislative requirement to undertake this specialist work. He said that the Council needed to undertake the research in order to evidence the issues and get relevant partners i.e. Essex County Council engaged as appropriate. Any mitigation may impact upon a number of authorities, quotes have been sought and officers will be working to keeping costs down in connection to the study.

Councillor Miss M R Lewis proposed that a third recommendation be included to afford the Council the opportunity to seek recompense from Essex County Council, if appropriate. This was unanimously agreed.

       Councillor A S Fluker proposed a fourth recommendation be included to submit a summary of the Committee’s concern on this issue to the Finance & Corporate Services Committee. This was agreed unanimously.  

RESOLVED

(i)        that Members approve the production of an Air Quality Action Plan

for the Market Hill Area as detailed within this report subject to   

approval of a supplementary estimate of £20k;

(ii)       that subject to (i) above, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee be recommended to approve a Supplementary Estimate of £20k to enable the production of an Air Quality Action Plan to comply with legislation;

(iii)      that depending on the outcome of the Air Quality Action Plan the Community Services Committee approach Essex County Council for recompense, and,

(iv)      that a summary of the concerns of this Committee be submitted to the Finance    & Corporate Services Committee