Meeting documents

The PAG received a report on the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Iver.

Having considered the advice of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder RESOLVED:

1)         That the completion of additional monitoring and the production of the updated air quality assessment for Iver be noted, and to proceed to the formal declaration of a new Air Quality Management Area in accordance with Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.

2)         To proceed with a consultation on the basis of the Parish boundary (shown in Appendix 1 of the report).

3)         That the Head of Healthy Communities be authorised to undertake consultation with the statutory and other consultees referred to in paragraph 4 of the report between 1 March and 31 March 2018.

4)         That associated reports and maps be placed on South Bucks District Council’s website and its publication be advertised to relevant stakeholders

5)         That responses to the consultation be reported to Cabinet for consideration and formal designation of an Air Quality Management Area under section 83 (1) of the Environment Act 1995

The PAG received a report on the designation of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Iver. The report sought Members’ views on the size of the proposed boundary on which the consultation would proceed. Preliminary feedback from local residents on the proposed boundary of the AQMA was circulated to the Group prior to the start of the meeting.

In response to a question on a study being carried out by the Iver Heath Residents Association, Members were advised that the data collected by the Association may not meet the necessary monitoring and modelling criteria to be considered valid. Due to a number of factors, including seasonal variation which would not be picked up from a winter sample, it would not be possible to combine data from the study with data collected by the Council.

Members were informed that the 36ugm³ contour boundary would represent the smallest possible boundary that the Council could declare for the AQMA. However, Members felt that a boundary of this size would not adequately address air quality issues caused by the wider road network and main routes to and from Iver high street. The Group felt that the whole area of Iver and Richings Park should be included in the AQMA consultation as exceedances had been identified at various points within the Parish. A larger boundary would ensure that HGV issues were not shifted from one part of the Parish to another.

It was noted that declaring a larger boundary for consultation could lead to complaints from businesses which would potentially be affected by the AQMA. However, the PAG were advised that the Council had a strong legal basis for declaring a wider boundary and that any objections from businesses would be taken into account as part of the consultation.

The Group felt that the designation of a wider area for consultation would also raise awareness of air quality issues in surrounding areas and could lead to opportunities for collaboration with other relevant bodies.

The Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities asked that Iver Members work with the Portfolio Holder on the proposal and that should extra funding be needed, a conversation with the Portfolio Holder and Iver Parish would take place regarding support.

Having considered the advice of the PAG, the Portfolio Holder RESOLVED:

1.       That the completion of additional monitoring and the production of the updated air quality assessment for Iver be noted, and to proceed to the formal declaration of a new Air Quality Management Area in accordance with Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.

2.       To proceed with a consultation on the basis of the Parish boundary (shown in Appendix 1 of the report).

3.       That the Head of Healthy Communities be authorised to undertake consultation with the statutory and other consultees referred to in paragraph 4 of the report between 1 March and 31 March 2018.

4.       That associated reports and maps be placed on South Bucks District Council’s website and its publication be advertised to relevant stakeholders.

5.       That responses to the consultation be reported to Cabinet for consideration and formal designation of an Air Quality Management Area under section 83 (1) of the Environment Act 1995.