Agenda and minutes

To record the attendance of substitute councillors, if any, who have been authorised to attend in accordance with the provisions of standing order 17(1) with notification having been given to the proper officer before the start of the meeting and to receive apologies for absence. 

Councillors Anthony Hayward, Aidan Melville and Gill Morgan sent their apologies.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the committee meeting held on 7 July 2014 (attached). 

Councillor Halliday noted that she was listed as having notified an apology; however she was not aware of the meeting and nor had she had her training.

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting of 7 July 2014 as a correct record and agree that the Chairman sign these as such.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

None.

To receive notification of any matters, which the chair determines, should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances, which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair. 

None.

Any statements, petitions and questions from the public under Standing Order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting. 

None.

To consider the head of corporate strategy’s report.

The Environmental Protection Manager introduced the report and updated the committee on the following points from the Vale of White Horse Scrutiny Committee’s suggestions:

• To look at including a ‘bus idling’ action for a one minute turn off policy;
• To consider appropriate SMART targets in relation to council and contractor vehicles;
• To consider extending a pilot project for ‘eco driver training’ to councillors;
• Green (vegetative) barriers to be included in the planning guidance; and
• Green travel plans to be included in the action plan – the County Council will lead on these.

The licensing committee considered the report of the Head of Corporate Strategy on the proposed Air Quality Action Plan and consultation responses. The discussion included the following:

• A request for quick electric car charging points;
• Confirmation needed on who will maintain the charging points;
• The barriers on the A34 at Botley extension to the southbound carriageway (included in the plan);
• The height of the diffusion tube monitors (response: modelling exposure is at ground level as well);
• Abingdon high-traffic areas being outside the identified areas, feasibility of sampling in these areas; and
• Lodge Hill interchange improvements (Councillor Bob Johnston, a county councillor, stated that this is in the county transport plan as a high priority).

RESOLVED (for 11; against 0; abstentions 0)

To authorise the head of corporate strategy to make any minor amendments to the plan in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and the Chairman of the General Licensing Committee.

To include a recommendation to have fast-charging electric car points and confirmation of maintenance of the charge points.