Environment and Transport Partnership

15 September 2005

 

Attending:        Ken McKay Ð PECT

                                      Trevor Gibson Ð PCC Environmental Services

                                      Councillor Kreling Ð PCC

                                      Peter Slinger Ð RIBA

                                      Richard Astle Ð GPP

                                      Reverend Paten Ð Railworld

                                      Paul Separovic Ð Environment Trust

                                      Adam Speed Ð PCC Democratic Services

 

1. Apologies

 

Apologies were received from Councillor Peach, Candy Reed, Sarah Fowler and Richard Olive.

 

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting Ð 21 July 2005

 

The minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.

 

3. Matters Arising

 

Global Olivine

 

The group discussed the Peterborough Friends of the Earth statement and the latest position on the Global Olivine application.

 

Trevor Gibson informed the group that there had been some public meeting recently at which the majority of feeling was against the proposals.

However, it was unlikely that those in support of the application would attend these meetings.

 

The Council has requested an extension to the end of January from the DTI and although they have yet to officially agree to it they have stated that they were happy for the Council to work towards this deadline.

 

The group discussed whether or not it was necessary for this partnership to take view on this issue. Following discussion it was agreed that it was reasonable to expect the GPP to have a view therefore this partnership should reach its own views which Ken McKay would then present to the GPP Board.

 

The group felt it should take a view that it was in favour of the application in principal, dependent on the views of the experts. However, it should be made clear that Trevor Gibson, Councillor Kreling and Richard Olive have abstained from this decision.

 

Action

Ken McKay to draft a statement on behalf of the group and table it at the next meeting for consideration.

 

 

 

 

4. Partnership Updates

 

Richard Astle informed the group that the GPP Executive Board had met for the first time to discuss performance management of the Local Area Agreement (LAA), Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) and the Community Strategy.  The group will be meeting quarterly to performance manage these blocks.

Trevor Gibson informed the group that the three bin roll out was complete in half of the city and that the majority of people were pleased with it. There was approximately a 43-46% recycling rate across the city for the areas where three bins were in place. This was more than double the national average rate.

 

Peter Slinger raised an issue about environmental representation on the RC board the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) had been lobbying for this for some time. Ken McKay informed the group that he would be meeting informally with the URC board on 27 September to discuss this issue.

 

Action

Ken McKay to report back to the partnership following the meeting.

 

5. Environment Capital Meeting

 

              Ken McKay gave an update on the progress of the sub group that was working on making Peterborough the Environment Capital of England.

              A work plan is being developed and will be reported back to the next partnership meeting.

 

              Action

              Ken McKay to table the action plan at the next meeting with the aim of identifying what specific tasks the group should take on to deliver this goal.

 

6. Climate Change Strategy

 

              Trevor Gibson informed he group that the City Council and PECT were working on the development of a new climate change strategy.

              The baseline data would soon be out of date as it goes back to 1998. Therefore the updating of the data is a huge piece of work which will need to be undertaken as an early action of the strategy.

 

              Action

              Trevor Gibson to bring the strategy document to the partnership for consideration at draft stage.

 

7. Alcohol Strategy

 

The group considered the CouncilÕs draft Alcohol Strategy. The group felt that the only relevant issue was around the nightime economy and the lack of buses. It was difficult to escape the city centre after a night out, as there was no timetable past 8.00pm. This was because there wasnÕt the market for it and the Council could not afford to subsidise the service

 

Action

Any further comments should be forwarded to Adam Speed.

Ken McKay to prompt Stagecoach to look at the paper and forward any comments directly.

 

8. Dates of Future Meetings

 

17 November 2005

19 January 2006

16 March 2006

18 May 2006

20 July 2006

21 September 2006

 

9. AOB

 

              Station Quarter

 

              The group discussed the proposals for the new Station Quarter.

              Reverend Paten circulated a note outlining his views on the development.

              The group felt that the proposals didnÕt address what was discussed at stakeholders meetings and there was also concern about the potential loss of the Great Northern Hotel.

 

              Trevor Gibson informed the group that the plans were still at the concept drawing stage therefore comments were still valued and would be taken on board.

 

              Governance

 

              Richard Astle informed the group that there were now two spaces on the GPP Board available for members of this partnership.

 

One place will continue to be filled by Ken McKay as chair but another representative would be welcome, particularly from the community / voluntary sector.

 

Action

Adam Speed to add this item to the next agenda for further consideration.