Issue - meetings

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

 

 

Meeting: 29/01/2018 - City Council (Item 47)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were two questions from members of the Public.

 

Question submitted by: Alan Ramage

 

Plymouth Green Book Club recently read “An Air That Kills” by Dr John Rieuwerts of Plymouth University. It states air pollution in Plymouth is greatest along arterial routes. Legal exceedances and even low levels are harmful especially to the vulnerable, including schoolchildren. What measures are being proposed to address this?

 

Response: Councillor Lynda Bowyer, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care

 

Response: (for completion by City Council officers and Cabinet Members / Chairs)

Plymouth City Council takes air quality seriously and the principles of protecting the air we breathe is contained within the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan (JLP), a single strategic plan for the city and the neighbouring district authorities of South Hams and West Devon, that has a timeframe to 2034 and beyond and that is currently in the latter stages of development. The JLP brings together all of the city's long term strategic plans into one place and includes the city’s economic, land use planning, housing, transport and environmental policies ensuring a coordinated approach to how the city evolves. The air quality issue is embedded into the JLP as it was previously in the Plymouth Plan and the Local Development Framework before that.

Air quality monitoring is undertaken in Plymouth continuously at various sites, which meet the criteria for assessment which is prescribed by DEFRA. This includes sites where residents live and could be exposed to increased levels of pollution, such as busy transport routes. This monitoring data is used to compare against the annual air quality objectives, which are set out by Government in regulations. Where levels exceed the objective figures, a Local Authority is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area, including an action plan showing how measures will be implemented to improve air quality.

In Plymouth, an AQMA was declared in 2014 for exceedance of nitrogen dioxide, covering five distinct areas and the adjoining road networks, replacing the previously declared two individual AQMA’s. Transport emissions were identified as the primary contributor. Details of the AQMA are on the Council website.

Plymouth City Council is pleased to report that air quality improvements are being observed in the AQMA, with the majority of the results now being below the air quality objective. We are closely reviewing the situation annually and discussing the observed improvements with DEFRA with a view to revoking or amending the AQMA as soon as we are able.

Key to achieving these results has been the Council’s balanced transport strategy that seeks to support the objective of cleaner, healthier air for its residents and visitors. The strategy has a strong focus on encouraging greater sustainable transport use with more trips undertaken by bus, cycle and foot alongside reducing the need to travel and providing and enabling greater use of cleaner fuel vehicles. The numbers of people cycling in particular has seen a dramatic rise with a 51% increase between 2009-2015, which is a trend that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47

Meeting: 20/03/2017 - City Council (Item 73)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which are about something the council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

 

 

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Two questions were submitted by members of the public for this meeting, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

In the absence of Mr Sharpe the following question and response would be circulated and a written response would be sent to him after the meeting –

 

 

Question submitted by: Mr F Sharpe

 

To the Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Housing and Planning. 

           

To be asked at the next Council.

 

Question:

 

 

The former Co-op store at the end of Plymstock broadway has been empty for a number of years with a to let sign retail or Leisure attached.

Please could the City Council look into converting it into a Plymstock public swimming pool as no date can be given at Sherford?

 

Response:

 

Provision for a swimming pool has been made in the Sherford Development.   The former Co-op store at the end of Plymstock Broadway will be considered against the policies of the Joint Local Plan.

 

 

Mr Harvey-Heath asked the following question. The response will be circulated and a written response provided to him after the meeting –

 

 

Question submitted by: Lee Harvey-Heath

 

To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

           

Question:

 

I am trying to raise awareness of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

 

 

 

Why aren’t you doing anything to raise awareness or working with services and partners to investigate this issue and work towards supporting families.

 

 

Response:

Whilst there is not a specific awareness raising relating to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Plymouth City Council and partners undertake a range of actions to reduce the impact of alcohol on health and wellbeing for the population and more specifically for expectant mothers and children and their families affected by alcohol.  This includes responsibility for the Strategic Alcohol Plan 2013 – 18, and supporting the One You government campaign that encourages people to drink less.  

PCC deliver and commission a range of services for adults with alcohol misuse issues. They also work in partnership with other services such as maternity services to provide information, advice and guidance on alcohol in pregnancy; support expectant mothers who are experiencing alcohol misuse.  Services and activities include:

·         Commissioning specific substance misuse treatment services for parents (Harbour)

·         FASD  is embedded within assessment work when parental alcohol misuse is identified, and its early identification and the need for coordinated planning with children identified at risk of FASD is  equally supported by  social work, health Service colleagues – including Specialist midwifes, Health visiting  and Harbour colleagues. These services also provide advice and consultation to staff within the Department on a case by case basis.  Children’s centres also provide targeted support to services supporting expectant mothers experiencing alcohol/substance misuse supporting families in accessing children centre services

·         We ensure that staff in the Children Young People and Families Service are aware of this issue and are well placed to undertake this work. FASD forms a key part of the ‘Early Brain Development training’, which our social workers attend. Similarly, health visitors receive training on brain development in early life  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73

Meeting: 30/01/2017 - City Council (Item 54)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.