Issue - meetings

The Leader welcomed Rosemary Pettit (Chair) and other members of the Commission - David Chamberlain and Natalie Lindsay to the meeting. The Chair noted that the Commission was launched in December 2015 to review research and gather evidence on air quality in the borough with a view to reporting back on its findings to the Community Safety, Environment and Residents Services Policy and Accountability Committee (CSERS PAC) in autumn 2016. The Commission considered both oral and written evidence submitted by residents. CSERS PAC considered the report at its meeting of 21 September where Members of the PAC and other attendees praised the report and the work of the Commission.  The report recommends actions which should be taken forward by the Council, Government, GLA and residents. 

The other members of the Commission also noted that the report was a moving piece and should be regarded as a progress report.  The Council should be proactive in introducing measures reduce to pollution in the borough.

Councillor Harcourt welcomed the timely report in light of the recent announcement that 203 premature deaths were air pollution related.  Councillor Jones implored that Commission to feedback to the local community the council’s ambition to put some of the recommendations into action. Particularly to look at this as part of the local plan.   The Council will be engaging residents on this key issue.

The Leader thanked the Commission for all their hard work and contributions.  He noted that their work was a very important mark on the debate about the environment.  A formal launch of the Commission’s report will take place soon.

1.1.       That the Council welcomes the Air Quality Commission’s report findings.

1.2.        That the Council promotes the report’s findings and recommendations to central government, the Mayor of London and other parties to whom the recommendations are directed for action.

1.3.        That officers are tasked with producing an action plan and costings for the implementation of the recommendations directed at the Council.