Issue - meetings

A report and presentation slides are attached.

The Panel received a presentation from Cathryn Brown, Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection and Chris Major, Group Leader Transport and Parking, which covered the following:

·  Health Messages

·  Background – Direction from Defra

·  Background – Shortlist of Schemes

·  Preferred option – following technical assessment

·  Options Assessed

·  Proposed Charges

·  How were the proposed charges set?

·  Proposed Charges

·  Proposed Clean Air Zone boundary

·  Scheme Design for a small Class D CAZ

·  Impact of Scheme – air quality (LAQM)

·  Impact of Scheme – traffic volumes

·  Impact of the Scheme – Economic

·  Exemptions

·  Concessions

·  Other measures – proposed shortlist

·  Proposed financial assistance packages

·  Scheme Finances

·  Engagement Feedback so far

·  Programme

·  Monitoring and Evaluation

·  What are other local authorities doing?

·  Key dates

·  Sources of information

·  Reminder of health improvements

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points on the presentation: (Officer responses are shown in italics).

·  Councillor Clarke asked if there was evidence of an excess of pulmonary deaths in Bath – officers will check and report back.

·  Councillor Clarke asked for more information on the position of monitors in the business case. Officers acknowledged that more specific information on locations could be included.

·  Councillor Butters stated that some spots that are shown as green at the moment may change to red after the CAZ is implemented due to rat running.

·  Councillor Samuel asked what would happen if we still had exceedance in 5 years?

·  Councillor Butters asked how close to compliance would we be with Class C?

·  Councillor Samuel asked if Class D has been selected due to the risk of displacement. Officers explained that all technical work up to now has been scrutinized by the Government Technical Panel and feedback has supported Class D. Officers also explained that Client Earth took a legal case against the Government and the judgement said that Local Authorities must ensure plans achieve compliance and meeting the limits had to be ‘likely’ not just ‘possible’.

·  Councillor Bull asked what the projections for 2021 are based on. Officers explained that certain things were taken into account such as the Government toolkit and ANPR data and the decrease in the number of vehicles causing emissions.

·  Councillor Samuel asked what the consequences would be if the Council does not meet compliance figures. Officers explained that the monitoring officer is clear that we must comply with this legal obligation. There could be action taken against the authority.

·  Councillor Butters asked how people will know if they need to upgrade their car/engine – officers explained that work is being done with Bath Hacked to provide a definitive tool for people to work this out.

·  Councillor Bull asked if the 24 hour charging period is fair to shift workers and what is the justification is for the 24 hour period? Officers explained that the 24hour period is more likely to ensure behaviour change.

·  Councillor Butters stated that some NHS workers do not drive compliant vehicles and asked if they will be penalised? Officers explained that concessions/exemptions can be arranged as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51