MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

11 OCTOBER 2016

STRATGIC PLANNING, SUSTAINBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

REFERENCE FROM THE COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

AIR QUALITY WORKING GROUP

Issue for Decision

Following the Low Emissions Strategy Workshop on 18 July 2016, members

expressed an interest in exploring the themes raised during the

presentation by consultant Andrew Whittles in more detail. There was

interest in how the themes raised within the workshop could be applied to

Maidstone through the adoption of a strategy that considered realistic and

achievable actions to improve air quality.

The main themes for development are public health, transport,

procurement, planning controls, and carbon emissions.

While the themes to be covered within the working group are cross cutting

the primary responsibility has been allocated by Council to this Committee.

However, aspects are within the remit of the Strategic Planning,

Sustainability and Transportation Committee. Due to the cross cutting

nature of the subject matter it is proposed to ask the Communities, Housing

and Environment Committee to approve the establishment of a working

group composed of members from both committees.

At its meeting on the 20 September 2016, the Community Housing and Environment Committee agreed to:

-           Establish a member working group of five members;

-           Appoint three members to represent the committee on the working group, these being Councillors M Burton, Mortimer and Robertson;

-           Invite Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee to

nominate two members to represent that committee on the working group, and;

-           That the terms of reference are agreed by the working group.

Recommendation Made

That Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee be recommended to nominate two Members to represent that committee on the working group.