Agenda and minutes
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Apologies
Minutes: There were no apologies. |
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to the agenda within five clear working days of the meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Disclosure of Interests and Dispensation
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 9 March 2021; to follow. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 will be approved at the next meeting. |
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Tracking Environment scrutiny review reports
A report from transport policy following up on the air quality recommendations is enclosed.
An update from Planning is provided.
The latest positon on School Streets and Cycle Hangers is also provided.
A cover report and full report are also enclosed, which summarizes and collates the recommendations and updates arising from the following scrutiny review reports and subsequent cabinet responses:
• Community Energy, June 2019 • First report on the Climate Emergency road map, October 2019 • Second report on the Climate Emergency strategy, July 2020 • Air Quality, July 2020 Supporting documents: Minutes: The chair invited officers to briefly present and then take questions on the briefings provided to the commission in advance, updating members on progress on considering and implementing the following scrutiny review report recommendations:
• First report on the Climate Emergency road map, October 2019 • Second report on the Climate Emergency strategy, July 2020 • Air Quality, July 2020
Tim Long, Team Leader Transport Policy, took questions on the briefing updating the commission on the air quality recommendations relevant to Transport Policy.
The following points were made:
Members asked why Sustainable Freight is struggling. The officer responded that there are two reasons; the first is that the freight industry has a small profit margin so this makes it difficult to be flexible. The other barrier is the lack of distribution sites in the north of the borough, which may be because of the high rent and the low profit margin. The officer explained that the new technology is expensive so it does tend to be the large companies that do this. Sainsbury’s have found it was possible, and as quick to use cycle freight to deliver food as vans.
Members asked if officers had engaged with Pedal Me, which have expanded with a new arch. The officer explained that that Pedal Me do one off deliveries rather than regular distribution. The council is most active in encouraging the movement of freight between hospitals by cargo bikes, which they are waiting to progress once a staff change has taken place.
Promotion of Scrappage schemes was asked about, in order to encourage the switch from more polluting vehicles and towards sustainable freight movement. There was a suggestion from a member for a scheme whereby businesses could try out trailers and e cargo bikes, to see if this was right for their business, prior to investing as this could demonstrate the amount of bulky freight that it is possible to move by bike. The officer said such a scheme might be possible, but cautioned that it could be complicated and expensive to deliver something like this during a pandemic with limited resources.
Members asked about expansion of the Mayor of London’s cycle hire scheme, and potential for this to expand to the south of borough. The officer explained that the Council is paying for installation in Bermondsey and developers are in Canada Water. He said that cycle hire will take longer to get to Peckham as more money is required to cover the south; however there is a potential down the Old Kent Road with regeneration.
Officers were asked about the regulation of scooters, which was indicated in the Queens speech. The UK is the last in Europe to allow for this and people are using these anyway. The officer explained that enforcement is with the police. The council is working with disabled people on this matter.
A member commented that the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhood has not been a very well managed process, and referred to particular frustrations with The ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Parking briefing
The Parking briefing is enclosed. Supporting documents: Minutes: The chair introduced the parking briefing by explaining that in November 2020 the commission had asked for a briefing on planned CPZs, parking permits and parking spaces, both on estates and street kerbside, by Ward. This is a follow up from the previous administrative year and linked to a recommendation in the previous air quality report that the kerbside ought to be considered a public amenity and repurposed for active travel. The chair then invited Dale Foden, Head of Highways, to take questions on the report.
A member asked about progress in producing the planned emissions based parking charging policy and officer explained that has not been progressed yet because of the pandemic. Members highlighted the importance of this.
The cost differential for permits on street versus on estates was noted as an area to address. A member also commented that the minority of residents have Parking Permits, for St George’s this I in 14, and this is significant when it comes to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods as it is worth bearing in mind that car drivers are a small minority.
Officers were thanked for a comprehensive report. |
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Scrutiny review report : Air Quality - part two
The scrutiny review draft headline report and recommendations are to follow. Minutes: The chair encouraged Commission members to send through comments on the headline report and proposed recommendations, previously circulated via email. |
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Scrutiny review report : Environment and Planning
The scrutiny review draft headline report and recommendations are to follow. Minutes: Members discussed setting an ambition to achieve zero carbon emissions in buildings, through the planning process, with out resorting to Carbon Offsetting.
The chair encouraged Commission members to send through comments on the headline report and proposed recommendations, circulated via email. |
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Work Programme
Minutes: A final meeting to agree the reports was agreed. |