Agenda item

The Chair introduced and welcomed Councillor Champion, the newly appointed Executive Member for Environment and Transport to the meeting.

·         Councillor Champion informed the meeting that future quarterly reports will now include performance indicators which measures progress in reducing the Council’s own CO2 emissions from council operational buildings and the Council Transport fleet. Quarterly reports will also include performance data relating to road safety.

·         Councillor Champion invited Members to the launch of the Vehicle to Grid project at the Town Hall on Wednesday 15 January. The project involves a technology that allows the chargers to work in reverse so that electric vehicles acting as batteries will be used to provide power to the Town Hall. Members were advised that the core advantage of this technology is that it allows vehicles to be charged overnight when electricity is cheap which is then returned back to the building where it receives power at times when electricity consumption is peak and therefore more expensive or returned to the national grid deriving an income.

·         In response to an enquiry on whether Committee would still be able to consider Air quality monitoring data around Islington schools, the Director acknowledged that the Committee will be kept informed, however there are ongoing discussions on how it will be presented.

·         On the reported increase of transport related deaths and serious injuries on Islington roads and Council’s plans to address it, the Director, Environment and Regeneration advised Members that considering this was the first set of data received, this would need to be fully analysed after which specific measures on how to address the incidents will be considered. Members were assured that Council is committed in ensuring that roads in the borough remain safe for both pedestrians and cyclists.

·         With regards to the refurbishment of Highbury pools, Members were informed that due to contractual and insurance obligations this will be restoration and not a replacement hence issues of carbon emissions are not a consideration.

·         In response to complaints regarding the siting and placement of electric vehicle charging points on pavements and footways, the Director informed the meeting that he will be meeting the Transport Lead Officer which will be an opportunity to understand and discuss the issues around the infrastructure. On the suggestion of lamp post electric charging points, members were informed of cost implications, hence the present siting of boxes on pavements. The Director acknowledged residents’ concerns especially when it impact public safety and the importance of being sensitive to resident’s concerns. The meeting was informed that instances where public safety is likely to be compromised, this should be brought to the attention of relevant officers immediately.

·         With regards to the council’s timetable in meeting its commitment of being carbon neutral by 2030, members were informed that despite the elections in December 2019 and pending GLA elections in May 2020, a report will be considered by Executive in February 2020. Members were advised that it is important that both Islington’s Transport and Carbon Strategy is in place to ensure that the commitment is delivered.

·         In response to a suggestion on whether Council had plans to install electric charging points in loading and parking bays instead of on pavements, the Director acknowledged that all options will be considered and this will be looked at on a street by street basis. Members were advised that at present, the Council through it’s initiatives is more focussed on a move away or behaviour change from private ownership of cars to the use of public transport and to encourage more walking and cycling.

·         On concerns that Council had not provided targets on its commitment of being zero emission by 2030, the Director acknowledged that it is common practice for baseline reporting at this stage, however targets would be set later when first the Transport Strategy has been agreed and after a 12 month trial period.

RESOLVED:

That the 2 new performance indicators be agreed