Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Joel Hirst (Vice chair of the Panel) welcomed everyone to the meeting and made the following statement:

“Due to the ongoing Covid situation and a desire to retain a level of social distancing at Council meetings at this time, we are holding this meeting virtually.  We will review this approach for any future meetings, in line with government and health guidance at that time.”

Councillor Karen Walker sent her apologies.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

There was none.

The Panel noted the Question and Answer document that was circulated (and is attached to the minutes).

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2022 will be circulated at a later date.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, and Cathryn Brown, Clean Air Zone Team Manager, introduced the report and gave a presentation which covered the following:

(Councillor Dave Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services was also present to answer questions from the Panel).

·  Background

·  Pollutants monitored in BANES

·  How we monitor pollutants

·  How we present the data

·  Average trends in BANES

·  CAZ Assessment

·  CAZ compliance and other

·  Temple Cloud Air Quality Management Area

·  Farrington Gurney Air Quality Management Area

·  Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney Air Quality Action Plan

·  Keynsham Air Quality Management Area

·  Saltford Air Quality Management Area

·  Environment Act 2021. World Health Organisation Air Quality Guidelines

·  AQ data – published on Forward Plan

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Lisa O Brien asked why there was tree cutting in Temple Cloud when we are trying to plant trees.Councillor Dave Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, explained there was a canopy of tree coverage over one road which was trapping pollution, they have been pruned back. Also, some vegetation by the road was cut back as it was narrowing the road.

Councillor Grant Johnson commented that it was difficult to draw meaningful conclusions due to the effect of lockdown but he would be interested to see the long term trends. He asked the following questions (Officer or Cabinet Member response shown in italics):

·  He asked about the Enterprise Zone at Farrington Gurney with regard to Air Quality Assessment. The officer explained that there would be a traffic assessment as part of the planning application, and this would feed into the Air Quality Assessment – that is how the AQ impact would be shown.

·  There are differences between the levels in Temple Cloud and other areas such as Pensford and Whitchurch. Why are there such differences when all are situated along the A37. The officer explained that there is more open space along the road at Farrington Gurney whereas Temple Cloud has high hedges and housing along the road, it is more constrained.

Councillor Andy Wait asked what information or data is supplied by the laboratory from the NO2 tubes. The officer explained that the tubes contain a material that absorbs the NO2 and the laboratory reports back monthly levels – the yearly average is worked out from this.

Councillor Ryan Wills asked the following questions (Officer or Cabinet Member response shown in italics):

·  The report stated that the World Health Organisation wants a more ambitious limit – what is it? The officer explained that the WHO guideline value is hugely ambitious and there are interim targets for cities to move towards achieving them. Consultation is taking place now with results expected in the Autumn. We will bring this back to the Panel when we have the consultation results.

·  Temple Cloud is still over the limit in some areas, will there be additional action? Councillor Dave Wood explained that there had been a significant drop in levels in Temple Cloud but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, and Jane Wildblood, Corporate and Community Sustainability Manager (along with officers Nick Plumley and Christopher May), introduced the report and gave presentations which covered the following:

·  2021 Context

·  The Panel is asked to note and review

·  Climate Emergency Highlight Report

·  Carbon Emissions Progress Update

·  Achievements and delivery

·  Case Studies

·  Community Engagement

·  Climate and Biodiversity Festival

·  Action Plan 2022

·  Draft Route Map

·  Council House Building Programme – Approach to Energy Efficiency/Carbon reduction

·  AECB Standard – New build and Retrofit

·  Outcomes so Far – examples

·  Key messages

·  Keynsham Recycling Hub – Pixash Lane

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Shelly Bromley stated that she found the route map helpful. She asked if incentives for retro fitting private homes came from Government or the Council. Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, explained that there is a section on the website called ‘Energy at Home’ with details of grants. It is hard for the authority to do this on its own, we are working with WECA and lobbying. Jane Wildblood added that this is being looked at currently, WECA have an idea to set up a hub for the whole of the West of England. We also need to look at how to tackle the supply chain. Councillor Hirst asked that in future updates, progress with retro fitting is highlighted.

Councillor Lisa O Brien asked the following questions (Officers or Cabinet Members responses are shown in italics):

·  There are a lot of new initiatives regarding Climate Emergency. In point 10 on area wide emissions, information from 2005 and 2009 is used so the information on reduction covers a long period. Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, explained that there were problems with the newer data and we can get a better view over a longer period. Regarding reduction over the last 2 years – developments such as Keynsham Civic Centre had already been built so better to look over a longer period.

·  Grosvenor Place – it is great that the Grade 1 challenges have been tacked but this must have come at a high cost. The officer explained that with a complete refit, the cost was not as high as a retro fit.

·  Pixash Lane – the plan shows vehicles in parking lots, at the moment it is circular which is easier for residents so that they don’t have to carry so much – will the changes make it less easy? Also, the access roads for HGVs will need to be considered to prevent clogging. The officer explained that there would be a one-way rotary system, the idea is to keep the flow moving. The parking on the road is not ideal in terms of clogging, also HGV driving in and out has been transport modelled. Vehicle flow will be outside peak hours and will be controlled and monitored accordingly.

Councillor Grant Johnson commented that there was a lot to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting senior officers.

The Panel noted the future workplan.