DECISIONS
The Cabinet:
1. Noted the progress and on-going work set out in the report.
2. Noted the on-going improvements being undertaken to the
Council's assets and particularly the council housing stock that is
improving water efficiency and contributing to reducing nitrate
emissions
3. Noted the measures being taken through the Council's
management of its open spaces to reduce nitrate application and
nutrient emissions
4. Noted the dialogue between the Council, the University of
Portsmouth, and Natural England to support the introduction of
environmentally friendly measures to reduce nutrient build-up in the
Solent.
5. Noted the dialogue between water supply and treatment
companies, registered social landlords, developers and public bodies
to establish a strategic partnership to reduce water consumption and
nutrient emissions within the area.
6. Noted the intention to create and manage a database of
contributions to mitigation to offset the potential impact of new
development, such creation subject to final Cabinet approval.
7. Noted an intention to adopt as soon as possible the combination
of measures, methodology and evidence set out in the report as the
Council's interim strategy for demonstrating 'nitrate neutrality' in the
determination of planning applications such adoption subject to final
Cabinet approval.
8. Will continue to work with other local councils through PfSH, the
Local Government Association and Members of Parliament to lobby
central government to resolve the contradictory positions held by
agencies within Defra and between Defra and the Ministry for
Housing, Communities and Local Government and to develop a
comprehensive, long-term, funded mitigation strategy for the Solent
area.