Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE held on 16 March 2005 at The Castle, Winchester.
PRESENT:
Councillors: P.R.C. Hutcheson (In the Chair); F.J. Bright; Mrs E.M. Byrom;
L.T. Dunsdon; M.S. Geddes; K. House; R.J. Kimber; P. Luffman; R.H. Price;
M.J. Roberts; Sir James J. Scott; J.D. Shaw; and J.K. West.
Also in attendance: Councillor K.B. Estlin and Councillor J.K. Glen.
Councillor T.G. Knight observing.
294. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
295. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held in 10 February 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to `M.S. Geddes' replacing `M.S. Gurden' in the list of those Councillors present at the meeting.
296. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed Councillor T. G. Knight in his new capacity as Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration.
It was reported that on the 1 March 2005 the Secretary of State had confirmed the New Forest as a designated National Park. He also confirmed that the South Hampshire Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty should be revoked. The New Forest National Park Authority would have 22 members - 12 appointed by those county, district and borough councils with land within the National Park boundaries; 6 appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs; and 4 selected by Parish Councils.
The Committee were informed of a confidential item regarding the Alton Materials Recovery Facility which would be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment on 22 March and to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee on 11 April, with a final decision being made by the Leader at his Decision Day on 14 April. The Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee had requested to consider this item. The report recommends approval of the proposal that additional, above contract, recycling capacity is purchased from Hampshire Waste Services on the terms set out in the report.
297. MEMBERS QUESTIONS
No questions to the Executive Member for Environment or the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy had been received.
298. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
299. PROJECT INTEGRA ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN 2005-2010 AND PROJECT INTEGRA BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE STRATEGY
Councillor M. J. Roberts declared an interest as a member of Friends of the Earth and Councillor J. K.Glen an interest as Hart District Council's member on the Project Integra board.
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the draft 2005-2010 Project Integra Annual Business Plan. Officers reported that in accordance with the Committee's comments regarding the previous year's Business Plan, the Project Integra Board had recommended a number of changes, in particular they felt that in order to meet future waste management challenges the Board would need to revise its remit, scope and constitution.
Members were in agreement that progress on recycling was being made, but that a much greater effort would be needed in order to meet the Government's targets. Those district and unitary authorities which had made significant progress were highlighted, as were those where further improvement was expected soon. It was suggested that all authorities needed to make further efforts, particularly in promoting the composting of biodegradable materials and in reducing overall waste volumes.
Following Members' detailed questions, officers gave a full explanation of how they expected to be able to reduce the collection and processing of contaminated materials and increase home composting. Several very successful recycling schemes were highlighted, including the provision of colour coded bins for different forms of household waste and fortnightly collections.
There was a general consensus that the Government was sending the wrong message by recently lowering targets and that they should be encouraged to reinstate more stringent waste objectives for local authorities.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the Committee's comments regarding Project Integra's Annual Business Plan 2005-10 and Behavioural Change Strategy.
(ii) That both the Director for Environment and the Project Integra Board be requested to send representations to Government recommending it to reinstate more challenging waste recycling targets.
300. THE "FUTURE OF AIR TRANSPORT" WHITE PAPER
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) summarising the Government's White Paper on "The Future of Air Transport", which was published on 16 December 2003, and commenting on the implications of the White Paper's recommendations for Hampshire. It was acknowledged that the White Paper left a number of questions unanswered and therefore it would need to be kept under review in light of South East Plan, Regional Transport Plan and Local Transport Plan developments.
There was a general consensus that there was a growing air transport demand, particularly in the south east, which needed to be met. It was however agreed that any such expansion would need to be carefully managed in order to avoid future environmental and infrastructure problems. The creation of an additional runway at Heathrow would have significant consequences for Hampshire. Members also noted the potential impact of further development at Farnborough or Hurn airports. All these matters needed to be fully considered before future policy decisions were made.
Discussion focused on potential implications for Southampton Airport, and in particular on the capacity of surrounding surface access infrastructure. It was noted that demand for the airport was growing, particularly in terms of business travel, and that this could have significant economic benefits. However growth needed to be underpinned by investment and a comprehensive transport strategy for the whole airport area. Specific reference was made to increased parking provision, a further footbridge (including lifts) at Southampton Airport Parkway and the desirability of implementing the Chickenhall Lane link road scheme, which would improve access to the airport and the surrounding area.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted
(ii) That the County Council continues to review issues raised in the White Paper during the development of regional and sub regional spatial planning and transport policy in the context of the South East Plan and Local Transport Plan.
301. REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY
Councillor K. House declared an interest as a member of the Regional Housing Board.
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning a consultation document from the South East Regional Housing Board on a draft Regional Housing Strategy (2006-09), to be considered by the Cabinet as a key decision at its meeting on 21 March 2005. It was explained that although Hampshire County Council was not a housing authority, the strategy was nevertheless very relevant as it was key to the development of sustainable communities.
It was noted that the Regional Housing Board was led by the Government Office for the South East. Members welcomed the Strategy's focus on the region's requirements rather than on Government policy. It was felt that this approach should be supported.
There was general agreement with the broad principle of the proposed response to the consultation. It was, however, agreed, that there was a considerable need for social rented housing in Hampshire and that this should be further prioritised over other forms of intermediate schemes, such as key worker housing, which was considered to be too narrowly focused, excluding non-essential workers from the definition of `key worker'.
RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet be advised of the Committee's comments on the consultation document, including its recommendation that the Regional Housing Board be advised to increase the proposed proportion of expenditure earmarked for socially rented housing.
302. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLAN
The Committee considered a briefing note of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) on recently published documents and statements of Government policy and intention relating to work on the Sustainable Communities Plan.
Members were informed that a Sustainable Communities video, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was available should they wish to view it.
303. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2004/05
The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) providing a further update on the budget monitoring position for the Environment services for the 2004/05 financial year, covering the budgets for highways and transportation, planning and waste management.
In the ensuing discussion Members were informed of further under spends in the forecast outturn. Particular reference was made to the anticipated under spend in the abandoned vehicles budget which was understood to be the result of District Council initiatives and the increase in scrap metal prices.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
304. 2004/05 AND 2005/06 TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROGRESS AND REVISIONS
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning revisions to the 2004/05 and 2005/06 Transport Capital Programmes. With regard the 2004/05 programme, it was noted that data in the report was a forecast of commitments for the rest of the year rather than conclusive end of year figures. It was emphasised that minor amendments to the 2005/06 programme had occurred largely due to changes in external funding.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
305. ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FORWARD PLAN
To consider a report of the Chief Executive and Director of Environment (item 12 in the Minute Book) setting out issues which the Committee may wish to discuss at future meetings.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.