Agenda item

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

Please note that speakers should register their interest to speak by midday two days before the meeting.

The Chairman has requested that a written submission of the content/subject of the presentation be submitted to committee.services@north-herts.gov.uk by the above deadline.

Those selected to make presentations will be advised the day before the meeting.

Ms Gilly Chegwyn gave a presentation on Air Pollution and Health.

The Chair thanked Ms Chegwyn for her presentation.

Audio Recording – 13 Minutes 13 Seconds

Ms Gilly Chegwyn gave a presentation on Air Pollution and Health as follows:

·                The effects that air pollution had on people’s health;

·                Air pollution may be associated with a wider range of health conditions including lung cancer, asthma, diabetes, dementia, strokes and heart attacks;

·                Infant mortality, poorer brain development and reduced lung growth and function were caused by air pollution;

·                Long term and short term exposure to traffic pollution increased the risk of miscarriages;

·                Toxic air pollution caused more than 40,000 deaths in Britain each year; and

·                Public Heath England estimated that air pollution costed the NHS and social care services £40 million annually.

The Chair invited Nicky Clark to address the Panel in order to provide some practical solutions to reducing air pollution.

There was a discussion between the Panel and members of the public in relation to Ms Chegwyn’s presentation on air pollution.

The following Members took part in the discussion:

·                Councillor Sam Collins;

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Michael Muir;

·                Councillor Val Bryant; and

·                Councillor Steve Jarvis.

Councillor Ian Albert, Chair of the Hitchin Committee, informed the Panel and members of the public that there would be a Councillor Surgery taking place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March 2020 in relation to the Hitchin Town Centre Strategy. However, transport would also be covered.

The Chair thanked Ms Chegwyn for her informative and sobering presentation.