Neighbourhoods Cabinet Member – Minutes – 17 August 2015

 

11                (11) AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE AT SOUTH KILLINGHOLME 2015 – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval for the 2015 Detailed Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide at South Killingholme sent to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 6 July 2015, and to carry out consultation and publish the final document.

The council was required to carry out a review of pollution annually.  Industrial, domestic and traffic sources were compared with limits for seven major pollutants.

The 2011 the Air Quality Progress Report identified that there was a possible breach of air quality targets for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at South Killingholme.  A Detailed Assessment was required if a possible breach was identified.  Vehicle exhausts were the main source of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The location of the study area was close to the A160 dual-carriage way.  This connected the M180 motorway to the Port of Immingham.

The report showed that air quality targets were not being breached at South Killingholme.  The council planned to continue measuring Nitrogen Dioxide at this location.  DEFRA guidance was used in the preparation of the report.

Resolved – (a) That the proposal to consult with the bodies listed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved, and (b) that relevant feedback be incorporated into the report and officers produce the final document for publication.

12                (12) ISO14001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REVIEW – The Director of Places submitted a report giving details of the latest review for the ISO14001 Standard, and seeking approval for the action plan.

The ISO14001 Standard measured the council’s environmental impacts.  The standard further assisted in measuring what was used and what was wasted.  The main idea of the Standard was to reduce, reuse and recycle.

To deliver these principles that council made:

  • Real cost savings
  • Reduced environmental impact
  • Improved environmental standing.

BMTrada audited the council twice during the year against the Standard.

To maintain the Standard, a Management Review had to be undertaken each year which required the following to be presented:

  • Details of the external auditors findings
  • Results of environmental and legal audits
  • An action plan to address issues identified with the external and internal audits and by the steering group.

The report gave details of the areas that internal audits had been completed in during 2015.

Resolved – That the findings of the audits and the resulting action plan be approved.

13                (13) PRE-APPLICATION ADVICE SERVICE – LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND RELEVANT LICENSING LEGISLATION – The Director of Places submitted a report considering the implementation of a pre-application assistance and advice service for businesses and persons applying for licenses, and seeking to determine the fee for the service, if implemented.

Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 (the Act) introduced a “general power of competence.”  The council could exercise this general power of competence for the benefit of the council, the area or residents of the area, or otherwise.  Developing a pre-application service for license applications would see a potential benefit for businesses, residents and the council.

Section 3 of the Act allowed the council to charge a fee and do so commercially but only through a company.  In the case of the pre-application and advice service, it was proposed to charge a fee only to cover the costs of delivering the service, thus it would not be for a commercial purpose and hence avoided the need to establish a company.

The report set out the potential benefits for businesses, residents and the council, along with possible advice and guidance that could be offered as part of the service.

Resolved – (a) That the licensing pre-application advice service, as set out in the report, be approved and (b) that the fees be set on a cost recovery basis only, as set out in paragraph 2.11 of the report, thereby avoiding any requirement to establish a commercial trading company.

The corresponding report of the following item (Minute 14 refers) contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

14                (14) SERVICE 252 GOXHILL TO BARTON – The Director of Places submitted a report considering the results of the re-tendering of service 252.

The council currently provided service 252 from Goxhill, New Holland and Baysgarth School.  The service was a registered public transport service so could pick up other passengers.  In effect the majority of passengers were school pupils to Baysgarth School in Barton.  The current contract expired at the end of July 2015.

The report and accompanying appendix gave details of current elements of the service, along with future cost implications.

Resolved – That the contract be awarded to Black and White as set out in Option 2 in the report.