Borough Services Policy and Review Panel - Monday, 8th February, 2016 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

            To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th November, 2016 (copy attached).

            The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th November, 2015 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

            To receive a presentation from Mrs Helen Lolley, Environmental Health Manager on environmental control and pollution issues, in particular around:

·         Pollution - the situation locally

·         CCTV - working arrangements and effectiveness of the service

·         Community Patrol Team – working arrangements and impacts

            The Panel welcomed Miss Helen Lolley, Environmental Health Manager who attended the meeting to update the Panel on a number of aspects relating to the service, including, air quality, mobile home sites, the Hart and Rushmoor Joint CCTV Service and the work of the Community Patrol Team.

·         Air Quality – The Panel noted that there was a strategy in place to manage local air quality with a requirement to regularly review and assess air quality to ensure objectives were achieved. There were seven key pollutants, of which nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) was the foremost concern for Rushmoor, the main source of which was emissions from traffic. It was advised that air quality was monitored at 22 sites in Rushmoor and the results were used to inform annual reports, which were submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to demonstrate compliance in meeting air quality objectives. In addition to the monitoring work, the service reviewed planned developments and monitored Part B processes including, petrol stations, vehicle sprayers, small waste oil burners and dry cleaners to ensure there were no negative impacts on air quality.

It was advised that in 2000 and 2004 two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) had been declared relating to the M3. Since this time air quality had shown a steady improvement and was deemed good across the Borough.

The Panel discussed the arrangements for monitoring air quality and it was advised that TAG monitored air quality in relation to Farnborough Airport. New developments within the Borough, that met a certain criteria, with regard to activity and impact on the number of vehicle movements were required to carry out air quality assessments. A discussion was held, in particular, around the location of monitoring equipment and if some of these should be re-located to perceived “hotspots”. A suggestion was made to engage schools in the monitoring process.

A further discussion was held which focussed on electric cars and heir use by services within the Council. It was suggested that an electric pool car could be acquired for use by Officers and that consideration should be given to replacing obsolete vehicles with electric versions in the future.

It was AGREED that a more detailed map of the monitoring sites would be provided with details of emission levels in those areas. The issues raised would then be discussed further at the next mid cycle meeting.

·         Mobile Home Sites – The Panel noted that there were four mobile home sites within the Borough: Brookside Park, Chiltern Farm Park, Hill Corner Park and Martin’s Park. All the parks were relatively small and were inspected annually to ensure compliance with licenced conditions. All had the benefit of a permanent licence under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960. In 2013, the Mobile Home Act had been enacted. The aim of the Act was to give greater rights to the residents of the sites. It was advised that each site had registered its site rules,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

            To note the Panel’s work programme (copy attached).

            The Panel noted the current work programme.