MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 27 MARCH 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mrs T M Butchers (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mrs M J Miller, Mrs E Oulton, Mr A A Taylor (Deputising for Mr J Effemey), Mr A F Tiltman, Mrs J L Wareham
Apologies :
Mr Mrs B D Clough, Mr J Effemey
Spokespersons :
Mr E Fox, Mrs B Lawson
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr A J Mundy
29. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2002 be confirmed.
30. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mrs J L Wareham declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 31 - Request to the Council to Boycott Esso Products - as a member of the Friends of the Earth.
31. REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL TO BOYCOTT ESSO PRODUCTS
The Head of Select Committee Support reminded members of a petition that had been presented by the Friends of the Earth to the meeting of the Select Committee held on 30 January 2002. This called upon the Council to boycott Esso/Exxon - Mobil products until the company recognised the link between climatic change and fossil fuel burning.
A submission on the issues involved had been received from the Friends of the Earth. Additionally Greenpeace had also expressed concern over the purchase by the Council of Esso products.
The Head of Select Committee Support explained that Esso had been invited to send a representative to the meeting and this had been declined. A response to the views put forward by the Friends of the Earth had however been received from the External Affairs Manager of Esso UK.
Dr H Walding from the Friends of the Earth, who had presented the petition, was invited by the Chairman to speak on the matter. Dr Walding outlined the background to the Kyoto Protocol. This was aimed at reducing countries climate changing emissions. The USA did not however support the Protocol. The Friends of the Earth were concerned as to the stance taken by the USA and the reported links between President Bush and Esso/Exxon-Mobil together with the lack of research into alternative forms of energy by that company Dr Walding indicated that other companies such as BP and Shell were very active in the investigation of alternative techniques in the energy market.
The Select Committee discussed the issues involved and noted that the Council did not make any direct purchases of Esso products. Consideration was given to whether the Council should pursue a formal boycott of Esso products.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the development of an IW Green Travel Plan be promoted.
(ii) THAT the Chairman write to the appropriate Government Minister expressing the Select Committee’s concern as to the failure of Esso to address the link between climate change and fossil fuel burning, and the lack of research into alternatives, as contained in the Kyoto Protocol.
32. DECRIMINALISATION OF CAR PARKING ENFORCEMENT
The Head of Highways and Transportation reported orally on the latest progress with investigations into the decriminalisation of car parking enforcement on the Island. The Select Committee, at its meeting on 17 November 2000, had considered a report by RTA Associates, outlining preliminary investigations into the feasibility of this being introduced by the Council.
It was anticipated that a full report and presentation would be ready by the end of April 2002. This would give an indication of the financial implications and the timescale involved if implementation was agreed.
Members were made aware that, based on the experience of other local authorities, a financial break even point was not likely until after 3 years of operation. The Head of Highways and Transportation indicated that decriminalisation should be considered on the basis of the effective management of parking and not for financial reasons. Any surplus obtained through the Council taking over responsibility for car parking enforcement had to be utilised for highway transport initiatives.
Due to the need to also consider consultations on pedestrianisation in Newport at the next meeting it was believed that a further meeting of the Select Committee should be held on decriminalisation.
RESOLVED :
THAT the progress report be noted.
33. REPORT OF THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT
(a) Waste Management and Recycling Task Group - Update on Progress
The Select Committee was reminded that a Task Group had been established to deal with a range of issues connected with waste management and recycling. The Head of Select Committee Support reported on the matters that had been discussed by the Task Group.
Members were given a brief explanation of the assessment of the recycling and collection targets. They considered that it would be beneficial if a short explanatory information leaflet was produced for Members outlining how the waste contract with Island Waste Services worked. If the company was involved in this it could also be made publicly available.
Consideration was given as to when the Select Committee should receive recommendations arising from the work of the Task Group.
RESOLVED :
THAT the recommendations of the Waste Management and Recycling Task Group be considered at the July meeting of the Select Committee.
(b) Public Conveniences Task Group - Update on Progress
The Select Committee was advised of the discussions held by the Task Group investigating a number of issues relating to the provision of public conveniences.
The Chairman of the Task Group explained that there would be a need for a consultation exercise involving Town and Parish Councils and local Forum’s before any recommendations could be brought forward to the Select Committee.
RESOLVED :
THAT a progress report be submitted by the Task Group in June.
34. FORWARD PLAN
The Select Committee considered the Forward Plan for the period March to June 2002 and noted the matters which came within its terms of reference.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN