Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Markham and Councillor Allen, with Councillor Cooper substituting.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was confirmed that all items on the agenda were to be considered in public.

RESOLVED: That, subject to corrections of typographical errors, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2018 be approved.

The Head of Health Integration and Voluntary Sector Partnerships was in attendance at the meeting to answer any questions related to the draft report.

The Chairman commented that he was happy with the review, the report reads well and the finances detailed for the Air Text service had been confirmed by Cabinet, which should help to improve air quality awareness.

Responding to Members’ questions, the Head of Health Integration and Voluntary Sector Partnerships confirmed that the Health and Wellbeing strategy was agreed by the Health and Wellbeing Board in December, and that Air Quality was among the issues identified. It was the understanding of officers that the relevant recommendations from the review would be considered by Cabinet in due course, and, subject to Cabinet agreement, would form part of the overall Air Quality Action Plan which was part of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Councillors noted that school coaches that pull over in school pick-up or drop-off areas would lead to pollution, and recommended that an addition be made to recommendation B to reflect this concern. It was suggested that recommendation B1 be altered to read “the action plan should maintain a strong focus on Hillingdon school travel plans. It should prioritise work with schools most affected by air pollution, particularly to explore measures to tackle car / coach idling emissions”.

Members also commented that school travel plans should be reviewed with a view to tackling coach emissions, and it was noted that although many schools were academies and the Council would not have control over this issue, where the Council did have a say, the addition of tackling coach emissions should be made to any travel plans.

The Committee agreed that a further paragraph could also be added to expand on recommendation B1, which noted that travel plans should include reference to large vehicle pickups, coaches, or taxis.

Members agreed that it was a thorough review and were happy with the outcome.

RESOLVED: That the relevant changes be made to the review on Air Quality, and the review be advanced to the next stage.

Members considered potential future review topics for the Committee to consider over the forthcoming year. A number of suggestions were put forward, and these are detailed below:

Crossrail – the impact of Crossrail on local residents?

Borough Heritage & History Access – Considering the accessibility, parking, etc. at the Borough’s historical or heritage sites.

Recycling – The cost of recycling in the borough could be investigated.

Heathrow & HS2 – The impact of the potential Heathrow expansion and HS2 on the Borough

The Committee agreed to revisit this item at the next meeting, when further suggestions could be made.

RESOLVED: That the suggestions for future review topics were noted.

RESOLVED: That the work programme 2018/19 was noted.

The Chairman informed Members that this was his final Committee meeting as he was not standing for re-election, and thanks all Councillors who served on the Committee for their support, and wished them all success in the future.

Members thanked the Chairman for his hard work on the Committee and wished him well for the future.