Issue - meetings

Councillor Newcombe submits a report that provides the Board with the findings of the Regeneration and Transport Task Group’s review into Land Management Companies.  The Board is asked to approve the recommendations of the Task Group, and agree to seek a divisional response to the review.

Councillor Newcombe and Councillor Joshi submitted a joint report that provided the Board with the findings of the Regeneration and Transport and Environment and Sustainability Task Group’s review into the review of air quality in Leicester.

Councillor Newcombe introduced the report and explained that the review was triggered by the fact that the Sustainable Cities index placed Leicester amongst the worst performing UK cities in terms of air quality.  Councillor Newcombe questioned the methodology used within that exercise and asked for the Divisional Response to provide further information in response to the index.  A further parliamentary report also raised concerns about air quality.  Around 250 premature deaths a year could be caused in Leicester by this problem.

The Task Group identified a number of relatively small measures that could be put in place to improve air quality.  Councillors Newcombe and Joshi explained that the main emphasis of the recommendations was that more of a strategic approach to tackling air quality was required.  It was also felt that the Health Scrutiny Committee could look at the matter more closely in relation to the impact on health outcomes. 

Members heard that the review included a site visit to Sheffield City Council to discuss issues involved there and strategies adopted to address them.  It was noted that Sheffield was a Beacon authority in its approach to tackling poor air quality. 

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the recommendations of the Regeneration and Transport Task Group be supported; and

(2)               That a divisional response to the review be brought back to the Board within three months.