Eastleigh Borough Council Airport Consultative Committee Meeting

The Vice-Chair opened the meeting at 14:03 as the Chair was having technical issues.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

(NOTE: Councillor Airey (Chair) arrived at 14:06 – he did not take part in the debate or vote on the item. Councillor Irish arrived at 14:06 – he did not take part in the debate or vote on the item.)

The Operations’ Director reported that:

·  There were no safety issues or incidents reported within the last 4 months.

·  There were losses of £5.8 million in 2021, and £4.7 million losses were projected for 2022.

·  Airport opening hours were now operating as normal 7 days per week.

·  The Airport was also being used as a pop-up vaccine centre

Director and Principal Consultant at ATSIX Expert Solutions, Kel Kirkland, presented the report.

He updated the Committee that the comprehensive list of airspace options would be shared during stakeholder engagement workshops between June 20 – 30 2022 and that the purpose of the sessions were to ensure that stakeholders were satisfied that the design optioned were aligned with the design principles and that the airport had properly understood and accounted for stakeholder concerns, specifically related to the design options.

Councillor Bronk requested that he and his colleagues were added to the stakeholder list.

Townhill Park Residents Association representative, Lisa Hayes, requested that it be checked that they were also on the stakeholder list.

(NOTE: Kel Kirkland joined at 14:26, Steve Thurston joined at 14:49)

It was reported that between 1 September 2021 and 31 December 2021, 117 noise complaints were received. 57 complaints had been received from one household in the Bitterne Park area. 

Councillor Bronk requested confirmation why the visit mentioned in the minutes was deferred until the end of the judicial review.

The Operations’ Director said it was because there was nothing to tell but he was happy to meet Councillor Bronk and colleagues to talk about noise contours and the way in which data is collected.

Steve Thurston, Head of Planning and Development at Southampton Airport, presented the report.

Councillor Mellor requested copies of the maps included in the report, and it was agreed that all presentation slides would be included in the minutes.

Steve Thurston, Head of Planning and Development at Southampton Airport, updated the Committee that the judicial review had an appeal date scheduled in the High Court for April 27 – 28 2022. The decision would be likely to be handed down over the following months.

A brief update was given to the Committee with regards to the Section 106 Agreement.

The Chair stated all items discussed at the meeting had been covered in today’s agenda.

The Chair announced that he would not be standing in the upcoming May elections and suggested that the Committee start to think about nominations for a new Chair.

The Secretary confirmed that this would be followed up and would send more information to the Committee once the process had been agreed.

The Chair thanked the airport staff, Committee members and the democratic services officers for their help with the Airport Consultative Committee during his time as Chair.

The Vice-Chair thanked the Chair on behalf of all and stated he would be sorely missed.

The next meeting will take place on 24 June 2022 at 2pm. Location to be confirmed.

It was agreed that Accessibility Forum would be added to all agendas as a standing item.