79 Air Quality Action Plan Update (0.31.19) PDF 570 KB
To receive the 4 yearly review of the Air Quality Action Plan from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing
Minutes:
The Group had before it, and NOTED, a *report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing providing a progress report on Local Air Quality Management and the Air Quality Action Plan for the Crediton and Cullompton Air Quality Management Areas.
The officer outlined the contents of the report and stated that there were two air quality management areas, Cullompton and Crediton. He informed the Group that the action plan had stalled during 2020 as Public Health officers had been redeployed to assist with services dealing with the pandemic.
He explained that S106 funding had been secured to employ an external consultant to assist with the action planning process and producing a technical supplementary document.
He explained that the statutory reporting to DEFRA had been completed and that officers were currently trying to draw out the data collected during the pandemic. It was not known at this stage what air quality levels would look like in the future and if working and commuting practices would change in the future.
In response to a question asked, the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing stated he would provide data regarding any changes to air quality in Crediton due to the installation of traffic lights in the High Street.
Consideration was given to:
· That the Local Plan had to be in place before the Air Quality Action plan could be updated to include its requirements
· A supplementary planning document would set out how the Council would measure the impact of development on air quality
The Chairman then requested a Member representative to be involved in the preparation of the draft Air Quality Action Plan and Cllr J M Downes agreed to take on the role.
Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes
62 Covid 19 Economic Response (00:06:00) PDF 445 KB
To receive a report from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration providing Members with an update regarding the Growth, Economy & Delivery team’s latest COVID19 emergency economic and community response activities.
Minutes:
The Group had before it, and NOTED, a report * from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration providing Members with an update regarding the Growth, Economy & Delivery team’s latest COVID19 emergency economic and community response activities.
The contents of the report were outlined and an update provided regarding developments since the report had been published:
· There had been a significant rise in the number of reported deaths at a national level since the last meeting. However, these numbers were now reducing.
· The vaccination programme was going well with over 23 million people having had the first dose and over 1 million having received the second dose.
· The Government’s roadmap out of restrictions was summarised.
· Reference was made to work undertaken by Devon County Council in producing a graph which illustrated the economic impact of the pandemic upon Devon. It was anticipated that Mid and West Devon would take longer to emerge with potentially a time frame of between 3 and 4 years.
· Devon County Council had produced another graph showing that the accommodation and food sectors had been the hardest hit. Just over 50% of businesses within this sector only had 3 months worth of cash flow. The high street retail sector and tourism had also been badly affected within the district.
· The main concern going forwards was the potential rise in unemployment. However, it was good news that the furlough scheme had been extended. Currently approximately 10% of the Mid Devon workforce were furloughed.
· Ongoing emergency response remained a key priority. A number of grant schemes were currently running which were complex and time consuming.
· Mid Devon District Council currently ranked 14th out of 319 authorities charged with responsibility for getting discretionary funding out to businesses. This was testament to the hard work of the officers involved.
· New grant schemes were expected to emerge within the next month or two but guidance would be needed from Government as how they were to be operated and who would be eligible.
· The clinically extremely vulnerable would need to continue to ‘shield’ until at least 31st March although it was expected that this would date would be extended.
· An increase in applications to the Financial Hardship Fund was expected once the business grants and furlough schemes ended.
· It was anticipated that the Government would issue guidance on the practical support that could be given to those living in social isolation.
· Work continued in preparation for reopening high streets safely and mayoral meetings were being set up to follow the re-opening of non essential shops on 12th April.
· A lot of the aspects to recovery were still in a state of flux, with more information and guidance needed.
· A building grants scheme in Cullompton was nearing its launch. This would allow building owners and repairing leaseholders in the conservation area to apply for grant funding to support shopfront improvement works.
· The tendering process for the landscape project in the Bull Ring, Cullompton, would be complete by mid ... view the full minutes text for item 62