Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED that: The minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th October 2023 be approved as an accurate record.

The Panel considered a presentation by the Air Quality Project Officer, which outlined the 2022 Air Quality Annual Status Report for North Northamptonshire, as well as the wider Air Quality Strategy.

During discussion, the principal points were noted:

·         Members queried whether the local authority’s ’net zero’ vehicles referenced within the report were electric vehicles or powered by alternative sources of energy, such as hydrogen.

·         Members queried whether construction sites were inspected, to reduce dust produced by construction.

·         One member expressed concern regarding the financial cost of replacing existing taxi vehicles with electric net zero vehicles and queried whether grants would be made available for taxi drivers to alleviate this financial burden.

In response, the Air Quality Project Officer clarified that:

·         The local authority did not own any hydrogen-powered vehicles. The ‘net zero’ vehicles were primarily electric.

·         Construction sites were not inspected however, developers often implemented measures to reduce dust, such as specialist fencing and dampening dust piles.

·         Regarding areas with significant smoke pollution, Corby had been seen distinctly differently due to the location of steel works.

·         The local authority sought to encourage early adoption of electric vehicles within the taxi trade, to move towards a cleaner taxi fleet, and would monitor central government guidance to determine whether funding would be made available to facilitate this. Nevertheless, depending on the progression of technology and guidance, the local authority would review its aspirations and timelines. 

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The Panel considered a presentation to the Transport Strategy Manager, which outlined the Corby Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) public consultation.

During discussion, the principal points were noted:

·         One member expressed concern regarding the progress of the Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire LCWIPs.

·         Members queried what the timescales were for proposed work outlined within the Kettering LCWIP.

In response, the Transport Strategy Manager clarified that:

·         Timescales could not be provided for work to begin in Kettering until funding rounds had concluded. Nevertheless, work around the scheme’s design was expected to be completed by March 2024.

RESOLVED that: The report be noted.

The next meeting of the EAP Sustainable Communities would be held at 9:30am on Wednesday 7^th February 2024.