Issue - meetings

Motion

Meeting: 19/09/2018 - Council (Item 52)

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice. This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Air Pollution

Members considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor P. McDonald:

“With the undisputed evidence that air pollution well below the legal limit causes not only respiratory problems but heart failure and that many areas within our district are only just below the legal limit; that this Council takes the following action.

1. That it calls upon the Government to reinstate the feed-in tariff project which encouraged householders to install solar panels.

2. That it tasks its officers to report to Council on the feasibility of:

· Purchasing/leasing electric vehicles

· Installing electric chargers on local authority land.

· The Installation of solar panels on its properties.

· Working closely with the county council to restructure roads where necessary to reduce pollution.

Residents are quite rightly concerned regarding the levels of pollution and this council has a duty to take the appropriate steps to reduce pollution and protect the health of those it represents.”

The motion was proposed by Councillor P. McDonald and seconded by Councillor S. Shannon.

In proposing the motion Councillor P. McDonald commented that the Council had already responded to public concern and taken action in respect of single use plastics. He now called upon Members to go further still and begin to address the issue of air pollution. He advised Members that this was something which the public was ever increasingly concerned about and impacted on the health of everyone, but in particular those most vulnerable, the young and elderly. He highlighted the impact of pollution from diesel fumes and that there were four deaths each day in the UK which were attributable to poor air quality. It was noted that despite changes in legislation, these had made little difference and that monies spent on fighting claims in the High Court could be better spent in tackling the problems. He highlighted that campaigns frequently told people to “get on their bikes” or walk more, however people were reluctant to do this due to the poor air quality they would be exposed to during these activities. The Council had shown that it can make a difference with the single use plastics campaign and the introduction of water fountains and he encouraged Members to support this motion.

In seconding the motion Councillor Shannon highlighted that the Council should be taking a lead on this matter in order to influence its residents. He believed that many other local authorities across the country already had a scheme in place. It was noted that this Council did not have any electric charging points on its premises and that at the Council’s previous office site there had been solar panels installed. It was disappointing that this had not been the case at Parkside. It was suggested that it could be made a planning condition to include solar panels in any new developments. It was also noted that Bromsgrove had one of the highest levels of car users in Worcestershire and was one of the most congested parts of the county.

Councillor L. Mallett ... view the full minutes text for item 52