AT A MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 20 April 2006.

PRESENT:

Also in attendance: Councillors J. K. Glen, T. G. Knight and J. K. West.

98. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Carew and

Sam Payne.

99. 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 the debate declare their interest, and having regard 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.

100. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2006 were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

101. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

102. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

No questions to the Executive Member for Environment : North Hampshire

and Spatial Strategy and the Executive Member for Environment :

South Hampshire and Resource Management had been received.

103. RELEASE OF STRUCTURE PLAN RESERVE PROVISION

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in

the Minute Book) considered by the Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel

(JAP) which detailed the conclusions arising from the Hampshire County

Structure Plan Policy H4 Monitoring Paper 2006 and the outcome of

consultation on the document. It also set out the latest position on the

Hampshire Housing Supply Action Plan, to be considered by the Executive

Member for Environment : North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy at his

meeting on 25 April 2006.

The Director of Environment indicated that supporting reservations had been

received from a further 3 District Councils since the JAP report has initially

been published and that the Joint Advisory Panel had agreed the

recommendations in the attached report with no amendments when it

considered the matter on 16 March.

The Director of Environment highlighted the main issues raised by the

consultation document. Members noted the key facts in relation to Regional

Planning Guidance 9 (RPG9) and that there was sufficient land for housing to

justify not releasing any reserve sites. It was also noted that progress of the

west of Waterlooville Major Development Area was being assisted by the

Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS) an advisory service provided

by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to assist local planning

authorities with the progress of large developments.

Members felt that although the report was a good news item there were

problems in particular parts of the County where poor infrastructure was under

strain from development pressures.

RESOLVED:

That the report having been presented, members offered comments which

were noted by the Executive Member for Environment : North Hampshire and

Spatial Strategy.

104. RESPONSE TO NATIONAL WASTE STRATEGY

Councillor House declared a personal but non pecuniary interest as a South

East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Board Member.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in

the Minute Book) summarising key proposals in the current Government

consultation about the review of England's waste strategy and commenting on

how they accord with Hampshire's aspirations as expressed in recent

stakeholder engagement and emerging policy documents Members were asked

to contribute to the process by considering the issues raised.

The Director of Environment presented the main issues raised by the

consultation document. In particular two policy instruments which would seek

to promote behaviour change in relation to waste were highlighted, namely;

· extending Producer Responsibility to prevent waste and increase recycling and recovery, on the basis of voluntary agreements in the first instance, and

· providing greater Government leadership, by example in management of

public sector waste and procurement.

Members felt that it was important for Schools to participate in recycling and

for young people to be encouraged to recycle at school as well as at home.

It was noted that although the majority of Schools had signed up to the County

Supplies Waste and Recyclables Contract for the collection of waste and

recycling materials, more awareness raising and behavioural change through

information and advice was needed.

Members also felt that people were unsure about which products should be

recycled and that pressure should be exerted on manufacturers to produce

clearer labelling and to develop products and packaging which could be

recycled to reduce waste.

Members welcomed the report but considered that the Executive Members for

Environment should advise the Government that the report lacks ambition and

vision.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the philosophy set out in the Government Consultation about the

review of England's Waste Strategy be welcomed.

(ii) That the report having been presented, Members advised particular

concerns which they believed should be raised in the County Council's

response to the Government Consultation and which were noted by the

Executive Members for Environment.

105. ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE -

FORWARD PLAN

The Committee received and noted a report of the Chief Executive and

Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out issues for

future consideration. It was agreed that the Highway Agency should be invited

to attend a future meeting of the Committee and that an early opportunity may

be the June meeting. It was further agreed that both the Environment Agency

offices covering Hampshire should be invited.