Issue - meetings

(i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)          That Paul Farrelly MP be asked to continue to raise issues related to a Clean Air Zone both inside and outside of Parliament.

(iii)         That the Leader of the Council report back to the next meeting of the Cabinet, with the results of meetings held with the Leaders of Stoke on Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced this item on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking support to update and advise of the progress following development of the Strategic Outline Case.

The Leader stated that this was the fourth Cabinet report on this since the Spring.  Members’ attention was drawn to paragraphs 2.5 and 3 of the report.

Three Authorities were involved in this project: Newcastle –under-Lyme Borough Council, Stoke on Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council.

There was a need to work with public transport operators.

A response had been received from Therese Coffey MP which stated that it had been recognised that local authorities wanted to see a  highways and transport solution to the problem and not Clean Air Zones.

The Leader proposed two additional recommendations,  (ii) and (iii) which were agreed by Members.

Councillor Sweeney referred to the Taxi Policy for this Authority which had recently been considered which had agreed to bring the age of taxis in line with Stoke on Trent – keeping older vehicles on the road.

Councillor Holland  said that it was important that we did what we could to improve air quality within the Borough.      

Resolved:     (i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)          That Paul Farrelly MP be asked to continue to raise issues related to a Clean Air Zone both inside and outside of Parliament.

(iii)         That the Leader of the Council report back to the next meeting of the Cabinet, with the results of meetings held with the Leaders of Stoke on Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council.