To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.
Minutes:
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.
Matters arising from minutes:
Cllr Timmis raised the subject of Luton Airport and informed the Committee that a few weeks ago London Luton Airport Ltd came and gave a presentation to members in the Council Chamber regarding their expansion. Councillor Timmis said that the presentation was very positive, with very little about the down side that parts of Dacorum are likely to experience with an increase by 2050 of 32 million passengers. Instead the focus appeared to be on how the new airport would look and how there will be a second terminal there. They are keeping the existing main runway and they will have a support runway which is basically where planes line up so that they can take off more quickly.
Cllr Timmis added that you can find the information on their website and they are producing a consultation which will run from now until December 16th and they will be visiting most villages and towns in the area, but the consultation is almost entirely about the expansion, which in her opinion is a ‘tick box’ to say they have consulted. Cllr Timmis felt that as a Council and more specifically, as a Committee we should be aware of this consultation that is going on and respond to it as they are still considering doubling the present number of passengers and flights.
J Doe said that the official letter has been received from the airport regarding the consultation and a response would be organised. We will be looking at what the County Councils and local councils particularly St Albans are saying as well.
Cllr Birnie asked if this should be considered for a future meeting, and who would deal with it?
J Doe responded that Stephen Mendham has been the point of contact within his team and he would arrange something with him.
Cllr Ransley pointed out that transport to Luton Airport is not going to be confined to the M1 and any increase would adversely affect Ickneild Way and the A41.
Cllr Beauchamp said that one of the largest developments seems to be parking in and around Luton Airport and even though they are encouraging the use of The Dart and public transport, they are massively increasing the parking.
Cllr Timmis responded that Luton Airport has increased the number of car parks although the airport says that they are expecting a lot of passengers to come in using public transport and The Dart, the stats show that the majority of their passengers come from the three surrounding counties, so they are likely to be coming by car or coach. In answer to Cllr Ransley’s point about the traffic, she agreed that the roads will become more congested.
J Doe said that what members need to look at in the documentation is transport assessment and surface access strategy.They told us they are trying to put the main shift onto the train system and The Dart etc., but the concerns around increasing road access are probably well founded. He added that there might be a number of private landowners that want to make land around the airport available for surface car parking with a shuttle bus, which would not necessarily be run by the airport.
Cllr Birnie said that there was some discussion in an earlier meeting regarding DEFRA modified emission figures in the AQMA but he had not received any information on that from the relevant officer. He added that he will follow that up with Emma Walker and Dave Austin by email.
Cllr Birnie went on to ask when the responses to the Car Parking Consultation will have been evaluated leading to a report beng ready for scrutiny.
J Doe said that the consultation is basically done and they are just putting the report together and now need to take Cllr Sutton’s direction as to where this is taken next, but it is in hand.
Cllr Birnie asked if that meant it would be going to Cabinet or would the Committee get sight of it before that.
J Doe said that he would need to consult with Cllr Sutton.
Cllr Sutton said that if there is time he thinks it should come back to the Committee first.
Cllr Timmis said that she mentioned fly-tips in the last meeting and Flamstead Parish Council are going to put up the notices that she showed to the Committee themselves in order to try and discourage fly-tipping in that area.
Cllr Birnie confirmed that fly-tipping would need to be followed up by email with the relevant department.