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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 4, Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD. View directions

Contact: Ola Adeoye  020 7527 3044

Items
No. Item

334.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Khondoker and Hamitouche.

335.

Declarations of Substitute Members

Minutes:

Councillor Gill substituted for Councillor Hamitouche.

336.

Chair's Report

Minutes:

The Chair reported on announcements that day from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, meetings he had held since the previous meeting, and arrangements for the next Environment and Regeneration Meeting to which various interest groups would be invited.

He welcomed Councillor Champion in her new role as member of the Executive

 

337.

Declarations of Interest

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

 

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

 

*(a)   Employment, etc - Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

(b)     Sponsorship - Any payment or other financial benefit in respect of your expenses in carrying out duties as a member, or of your election; including from a trade union.

(c)  Contracts - Any current contract for goods, services or works, between  
 you or your partner (or a body in which one of you has a beneficial
 interest) and the council.

(d)   Land - Any beneficial interest in land which is within the council’s area.

(e)   Licences- Any licence to occupy land in the council’s area for a month
   or longer.

(f)    Corporate tenancies - Any tenancy between the council and a body
   in which you or your partner have a beneficial interest.

 (g)   Securities - Any beneficial interest in securities of a body which has a place of business or land in the council’s area, if the total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body or of any one class of its issued share capital. 

 

This applies to all members present at the meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

338.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 92 KB

Minutes:



RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2020 subject to the correction be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

 

Matters arising -

In response to a suggestion of replacing council building roofs with solar panels when due for repairs, members were advised that any low carbon emission measures would be part of the Council’s zero carbon strategy.

 

339.

Order of Business

Minutes:

The order of business would be as per the agenda.

340.

Public Questions

For members of the public to ask questions relating to any subject on the meeting agenda under Procedure Rule 70.5. Alternatively, the Chair may opt to accept questions from the public during the discussion on each agenda item.

 

Minutes:

None

341.

Living Streets - Presentation

Minutes:

The committee received a presentation from David Harrison of Islington Living Streets, a copy of which was interleaved with the agenda.
The following points were highlighted:

·         70% of households in Islington do not own a car, however Islington’s roads are vehicle friendly with the result that children no more play in the neighbourhood streets.

·         Although walking in the borough accounts for 42% of all trips, it is noticeable the increase in short trip journeys by cars, leading to high carbon emissions and air pollution. Resident inactivity results in high levels of obesity, social isolation and, worryingly, one of the worst child pedestrian casualty rates in western Europe.

·         In order to address the above consequences, the meeting was advised of the need to reduce car use and alternatively provide more investment for sustainable modes of travel across the borough. The meeting was informed that Islington Living Streets welcomes Islington’s Transport Strategy.

·         Members were advised of the 3 elements to any behaviour change programmes – (1) price mechanism, (2) bans and (3) making major infrastructure changes.

·         Although public health messages are useful, their effectiveness in terms of behaviour changes is limited as such messages are dwarfed by the amount spent on advertising, especially by the motoring industry.

·         Evidence shows that employing price mechanism to address behaviour changes is welcome and effective. With the congestion zone and the Ultra-Low Emission Zone there have been 13,500 fewer cars per day. Introducing car parking charges and the workplace levy will have an impact on car use.

·         The Meeting was advised that any proposal to ban vehicles in certain areas or roads is beneficial to the environment in terms of air quality/vehicle emissions and will result in an increase in walking and cycling and, importantly, reinvigorate town centres and shopping areas.

·         Significant infrastructure changes have brought huge benefits to residents and the environment. The introduction of cycle superhighways and the pedestrianisation of town centres/shopping areas continually attract more walking by residents and visitors, especially as evidence shows that 22 % of all car trips made by London residents are under 2km.

·         Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) will result in residents being active and increase life expectancy. David Harrison welcomed the council’s effort as over 51,000 households in the borough are no longer living in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution.

·         Members were advised that despite resistance, improving a street for walking and cycling has resulted in an increase in footfall and has had no impact on businesses with the number of empty shops falling to 17%. Also evidence shows that cyclists and residents who walk to shops tend to spend 40% more than those who drive into these high streets.

·         The meeting was informed that although traffic levels have fallen by 56% or 10,000 fewer vehicles a day, there has been a slight increase in traffic on the two main roads bordering the LTN areas.

·         In response to a question about lack of funds, David Harrison acknowledged the challenge, however noting that investing in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 341.

342.

Air Pollution Update pdf icon PDF 565 KB

Minutes:

Andrew Ford, Environmental Pollution Policy & Strategy Manager gave a presentation to the Committee, a copy of which was interleaved with the agenda, and responded to questions. The main points were as follows:

 

 

·       Islington is designated an air quality management area.  Its N02 levels exceed the EU limits across in over 60% of the borough.  Air quality is monitored around the main roads especially in south of the borough and in and around schools.

·       Overall pollution levels are falling in the borough and are likely to continue to do so as a result of current actions, particularly as many of the actions to tackle the climate emergency dovetail in with the actions to reduce air pollution. However, the Council is keeping an eye on ‘new’ sources of pollution such as commercial cooking which has been highlighted in recent research.

·       A combination of policies have been introduced at national, London-wide and borough level to influence air quality with the Government launching its new Environment Bill just before the General Election with a view to it coming back to Parliament on the 30th Jan 2020. The Bill will affect many areas that the committee deals with but in terms of air quality there are updates to the Clean Air Act and Smoke Control Zones as well as new powers around canal boats etc. There is much more of a focus on PM2.5 than previously and although the Council is currently meeting the UK/EU targets for PM2.5, this is not the case with the World Health Organisation limits

·       The introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in April 2019 resulted in a 30% reduction in N02 emissions. The meeting was informed of plans to strengthen the LEZ (Lorries, Vans and Buses) and ULEX by October 2020 and October 2021.

·       Further measures have been introduced in order to reduce air pollution and the Council continues to work with other boroughs, TfL, and the GLA to improve air quality.

·       Local programmes to mitigate poor air quality include the introduction of Air Text which forecast high pollution to enable subscribers to take action to avoid exposure, air quality audits near schools, the promotion of walking and cycling, anti-idling events and car free days. The meeting was informed that Council officers are working in conjunction with the Whittington Hospital regarding Clean Air Hospitals.

·       With regard to the Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) monitoring programme, a pan-London Project, members were advised that this relates to the use of heavy machinery, heavy construction vehicles and generators being used on construction sites as there is a recognition that it is a significant contributor to London’s air pollution.

·       New pollution modelling released by the GLA continues to show that large parts of the borough do not meet the UK/EU pollution targets for NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) and its air quality map particularly highlights that TfL roads are major sources of air pollution and they show high air pollution concentration. However, the modelling also shows that by 2025 the vast majority of Islington  ...  view the full minutes text for item 342.

343.

Road Safety: Vision Zero - Presentation (To Follow)

Minutes:

Head of Traffic gave a presentation to the Committee, a copy of which is interleaved, and responded to questions. The main points were as follows:

·       Vision Zero aims to reduce road danger, working towards the elimination of road traffic deaths and serious injuries by reducing the dominance of motor vehicles on London’s streets.

·       London remains at the forefront of this approach, with the Mayor of London setting out his goal to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network by 2041.

·       Members were informed that achieving Vision Zero in Islington is set out in both the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero Action Plan and the draft Islington Transport Strategy. It supports promoting or introducing safe speeds, creating safe streets, introducing safe vehicles and changing behaviour. Members were advised that the Draft Islington Transport Strategy had been out for public consultation in the summer of 2019.

·       With regard to safe speeds, the meeting was informed that the aim is to maintain a borough-wide 20 mph speed limit; working with the police to enforce and raise awareness, and to continue to campaign for a change in legislation to allow local authorities to enforce speed offences and other unsafe driving which is presently the sole responsibility the Police.

·       On the issue of safe streets, the Council aims to target action against the sources of road danger, including enforcing existing weight restrictions on Islington Roads. Other initiatives will include banning lorries and HGV’s weighing 7.5 tonnes or more; improving safety at dangerous junctions and seeking opportunities for transformational changes at key junctions.

·       The meeting was advised that initiatives such as reducing the danger posed by lorries through the implementation of Direct Vision Standards for HGVs over 12 tonnes and gaining Freight Operator Recognition Scheme accreditation for the Council’s fleet will ensure that safe vehicles ply Islington Roads. In terms of safe behaviour, the Council will continue to offer free cycling training to all Islington residents including school children, and deliver school streets or similar interventions at all schools in the borough so as to encourage walking and cycling.

·       In terms of implementing safe speeds, Islington is the first London borough to have 20mph speed limit on borough roads which is enforced by the police since 2014. Members were advised that although the Council has 19 fixed speed cameras in place to enforce the 20mph speed limit, it is only the police that can enforce any breach. Members were informed of the Mayor of London’s commitment to introduce the 20mph speed limit on all roads managed by TFL in Islington by 2024, which was to be welcomed Martijn Cooijmans said.

·       Actions to implement safe streets include the removal of some of London’s gyratory road schemes such as the Archway gyratory, Highbury Corner and the Old Street roundabout. Members were advised that feasibility studies are presently underway in conjunction with Transport for London on the Kings Cross gyratory and the Nag’s Head gyratory. Additional initiatives to improve streets have been to implement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 343.

344.

Scrutiny Review - Environmental Behavioural Change - Street Environmental Services pdf icon PDF 704 KB

Minutes:

John Mooteealoo, Head of Street Environment Services (SES) gave a presentation to the Committee, a copy of which is interleaved, and he responded to questions. The main points were as follows:


·       Members were informed that since 2005, SES in conjunction with Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean-Ups, have organised community clean-up events.

·       In addition to the above, key partners, council services and stakeholders including volunteering and faith groups have participated in various events around the borough which take place from March to April.

·       The Manager informed the meeting that the Council’s Compliance Team continually engages the public reinforcing the messages of doing the right especially with litter disposal or dog fouling.

·       The meeting was informed that the SES eam took part in a successful trial for reducing the anti social behaviour of chewing gum with a specialist Behaviour Change group. The campaign around transport hubs including Farringdon Station and a high street bus stop led to a reduction of gum littering by 48%.

·       A tool kit developed by Mars Wrigley in partnership with a social enterprise called ‘Behaviour Change’ includes a range of free and unbranded materials designed to tackle gum litter in the UK .

·       Waste enforcement remains an important function of the Compliance Team who carry out enforcement actions and campaigns to reduce the antic social problem of fly tipping. In addressing fly-tipping the efforts of SES and the Compliance Team has helped alleviate the issue around some problematic hot-spot locations across the borough.

·       Members were advised of a new trial named the ‘CSI Tape Pilot’ which commenced in February. SES have selected 5 sites known for incidents of fly tipping which will be cordoned with the CSI tape, leaving the materials in place for three days before it is removed.  The aim of the pilot is to look out for behaviour change around these fly tipping sites over a 12 month period.

·       Members were advised that with regards to dog fouling incidents, a new trial has been launched within the St Georges Ward to tackle this anti-social problem. In response to a question on the effectiveness of the Keep Britain Tidy’s  ‘ We’re Watching You’ poster, which is attached to every bin, the meeting was informed that evidence from other pilots had shown that it had led to a reduction in dog fouling.

·       With regard to the image on the poster, a member welcomed the initiative and was interested in the outcome but was concerned that images like this with prying eyes could be traumatic especially to young people.

·       In response to a request for more information on the success as a result of the Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘We’re Watching You’ poster, the Executive Member Environment and Regeneration agreed that it will be shared with the committee. 

The Chair thanked the Manager for his contribution.