| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| LEM 13/005 |
DEFRA Grant for Air Quality Work |
Further to the Scrutiny Review of Air Quality in 2012, the joint report of the Director of Health and Housing and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services gave details of a joint bid submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by Tonbridge and Malling and Maidstone Borough Councils, with support from Kent County Council, for grant aid to evaluate the impact on local air quality from retrofitting buses on the A20 corridor with emissions reducing equipment. The Advisory Board was informed that DEFRA had confirmed the success of the bid and its intention to award £150,000 towards the cost of the project. It was noted that the grant money would be awarded to Tonbridge and Malling as the lead authority and the report outlined arrangements for a partnership agreement between the various parties. Members requested that clarification of the position regarding "state aid" be included in the agreement to provide the necessary safeguards for the Council. Consideration was given to the establishment of a Capital Plan Scheme of £150,000 and a revenue budget of £56,000 to be funded by the grant from DEFRA, a contribution from Kent County Council with the balance split equally between Tonbridge and Malling and Maidstone Borough Councils. An evaluation of the Capital Plan Scheme was set out at Annex 1 to the report and it was noted that the Council's contribution of £3,000 would be met from existing budgets with no ongoing capital or revenue commitments beyond the scope of the scheme. RECOMMENDED: That the Council (1) note the award of grant of £150,000 to install, monitor and investigate local air quality benefits from retrofitting emissions abatement equipment to buses along the A20 corridor, with an additional outcome of informing ongoing national research; (2) establish a Capital Plan (List A) scheme of £150,000 and revenue budget of £56,000 funded from grant and parties' contributions as outlined in paragraph 1.3.2 of the report; and (3) endorse Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council as lead authority for this programme of work. *Referred to Cabinet |