Meeting documents

To consider the report of the Head of Sustainable Development.

The PAG received a report updating Members on the Government’s decision of Heathrow Expansion, Heathrow Strategic Planning Group, and discussions with Heathrow Airport Ltd with regard to a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.

Members were informed that the Government had accepted the Airport Commission’s findings – summarised in Appendix 1 – and had made the recommendation that Heathrow Airport be expanded to create a third runway. Since this decision on 25 October 2016, a statement of principles has been agreed by Heathrow Airport Ltd and the Secretary of State for Transport. Early in 2017 a draft National Policy Statement will be published, and subject to a 16-week consultation period – detailing the framework under which expansion can take place.

Meetings had been held with Heathrow Airport Ltd in order to gain a Memorandum of Understanding, which would require multi-agency co-operation in order to address all pertinent issues surrounding the Heathrow Expansion.

The Interim Director of Services informed the PAG of the summit held on 10 November 2016, of the Heathrow Strategic Planning Group, hosted by the LB Hounslow. This allowed those interested parties to be brought up to date regarding the activities of the sub-groups over the year, with concerns raised and taken away. Thought was given to the setting up of a new sub-group specifically for Members and elected representatives to examine, amongst other topics, how any mitigation and compensation could be spent. The summit also impressed the importance of both bilateral and multilateral working amongst the affected parties in order to address each issue raised in an appropriate manner. This would aid understanding of the baseline of each issue, which would be looked at by independent bodies.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development informed that PAG that the CEX of Heathrow appeared to understand the need for mitigation, and Heathrow’s general position appeared to be encouraging community forums to identify any issues and hold them to account. He further updated the PAG as to the HACC Group that he holds a seat on. Within this group, the PAG were notified of the depth of discussion within the Group in regards to – amongst other topics - studies on flight paths and timings, and the variations that could be applied to these. During discussion, the PAG were assured that any anomalies were discussed within this group, and that consultation will occur with other parties.

The PAG therefore NOTED that:

1)       The Government recommendation that additional runway capacity in the South East of England is provided at Heathrow with a 3^rd Runway is noted;

2)       While South Bucks District Council recognises the economic benefits and growth that expansion will bring to the area there are concerns about negative impacts on our residents including from aircraft (particularly new routings or flight paths) and ground noise, reduction in air quality, pollution and construction impacts and that SBDC will be seeking assurances and mitigation from Heathrow Airport Ltd regarding these impacts;

3)       The Development Consent Order process will impose significant resource issues on the Council which will require appropriate compensation.

And further RECOMMENDED that:

4)       Cabinet notes the ongoing negotiations with Heathrow Airport Ltd to agree a Memorandum of Understanding to cover future resources and agrees that the Acting Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to approve any future settlement.