Minutes Monday 22 nd April 2013 13.00hrs. Putteridge Bury Conference Centre Members Mr M Routledge Cllr N Brook Mrs G Clark Cllr Dr R Egan Mrs H Killen Cllr M Muir Cllr D Collins Cllr D Rowlands Mrs C Smart Cllr G Johns Mr M Nidd Dr J Davis Cllr M Dolling Cllr N Glover Mr G Gayle Mr T Lee Cllr J Lloyd Cllr A Pawle Mr G Twiss Mr J Beavis Cllr Mrs R Webb Cllr B Lloyd Chairman Hertfordshire County Council NATS Central Bedfordshire Council Hertfordshire Association of Parish & Town Councils Vice Chairman - North Hertfordshire District Council Dacorum Borough Council Buckinghamshire County Council Chamber of Commerce Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils LLATVCC LADACAN Luton Borough Council Buckinghamshire County Council Airport Union Representative Airline Operators Stevenage Borough Council St Albans District Council PAIN Breachwood Green Society BMKALC Hertfordshire County Council Officers Representing Ms L O Gorman Mr N Thompson James Dontas Ms W Rousell Ms L Wood Mrs K Goodman Mr M Nahvi Mr P Donavan North Herts District Council LLAOL (Operations Director) LLAOL Luton Borough Council (Planning) Dacorum Borough Council LLAOL (Airfield Environment Officer) Central Bedfordshire Council Hertfordshire County Council Noise Consultant & Secretariat Mr J Charles Mrs P Harris Bickerdike Allen Partners Committee Administrator 2/1
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming members and informing them of the sudden death of Brian Webb the LLATVCC representative, Brian had served on the Committee for a number of years. Condolences were passed to Brian s family on behalf of LLACC Action Mr Michael Nidd gave a short tribute to Brian and acknowledging the valuable work he had carried out on behalf of LLATVCC and the Committee. 1. Apologies for absence and substitution. 1.1 Apologies for absence were received from: Mr K Besgrove - BBGA Mr G Jones LLAOL Managing Director Mr S Shearer - Freight Airline Representative Cllr D Bowater Central Bedfordshire Council Ms C Danby - Officer Stevenage Borough Council Sir Beville Stanier - Aylesbury Vale District Council Mr R Hiscock Officer Aylesbury Vale District Council Chris Bearton - Hertfordshire County Council Mrs L Greet - Breachwood Green Society M Kanda Officer St Albans District Council Mr C Cobburn - Bucks County Council 2.0 2.1 2.2 Minutes and Matters arising from the LLACC Meeting 21 st January 2013 Item 3.7 Members felt that the increase in movements was important and reiterated that the increase particularly between 06.00 and 07.00 was a problem and will only increase. Item 4.3 - The Chairman confirmed that he had responded to consultation regarding Travel Options and reinforcing the view that LLACC would not support measures that made it harder to get to the airport by public transport. The minutes from 21 st January were agreed. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Report on Noise & Track Sub Committee 13 th March 2013 Members noted the NTSC report for the period October 2012 to December 2012. From the previous minutes members were briefed on an initial study of differences between noise levels recorded at the fixed monitors, the study appeared to show some small differences in the reading and LLAOL advised that they would produce a report and table with the results for the next meeting, The airline representative advised that he has sought a response on the reduction of noise violation levels and he effect it would have on airline economics from the various airline operators at Luton (2 responses were received neither of which were definitive). The subject of reducing the noise violation levels was raised by members and it was suggested that it should not be included with the planning application. 2/2
NTSC members felt that a reduction in the levels would be a good step forward. LLAOL advised that there were several measure within the planning application, the reduction of the violation level was just a part and would therefore address the issue as part of the application. 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 Members noted that the noise monitor results has showed that the majority of departures produced noise levels in the range of 70-76dB(A) with 12 movements recorded above 82dB(A) during the day but no daytime violations were recorded there was one night time violation an Airbus A300 cargo aircraft. It was suggested that individual noise levels are shown in future reports as this would indicate any migration upwards. The Noise Advisor briefed on the discussion regarding the RNAV1 Trail and informed on the 2 issues with the trial, the complete lack of westerly operations during the 210 knot. LLAOL advised that follow the 220 knot trial they will return to the 210 knot trial for a further period. The other issue has been Swanwick vectoring off too early. Early feedback from the trial is good and that tracks are within 1500m swaithe. Some members suggested that aircraft appear to be flying faster that the intended speed of the trial and that there appeared to be a wider dispersal on the first turn and tighter dispersal on the second turn. LLAOL informed that aircraft can be vectored off at 4000ft and given a faster speed. It was noted the importance to keep the aircraft to the departure track. The Chairman advised that the full results should be available for the next NTSC and will be able to a full feedback. LLAOL advised the trial is designed to help and if there is no environmental benefit they will not pursue further. Members noted the Noise advisors discussion paper on the first stage of the Governments consultation on night flying restrictions for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. It was suggested by members that vectoring over local settlements and communities should be avoided until the aircraft has reached 7000ft (Martin not sure if this is correct it was suggested by Dr D). The noise advisor informed that Stage 1 did not give any indication to QC budgets for setting night flying restrictions. Stage 2 of the consultation will set out the Governments proposal and is expected later this year It was noted that NTSC members reviewed the various control measures suggested and had agreed to await the outcome of further research before deciding if there was any benefit in applying some of the additional measures to the Airport. 4.0 Passenger Services Sub Committee 13 March 2013 4.1 4.2 4.3 Members noted the PSSC Report The Chairman advised that the number of correspondence received (187 pieces of correspondence during the quarter) compared to the number of passengers (approx 2 million) transiting the Airport was relatively low. The most common area of complaint remains security. A update was given by LLAOL on the Surface access plans and advised that there had been much work undertaken with LBC to ensure that the guided 2/3
busway programme would not adversely impact the terminal area. 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Members were advised on the changes within the Immigration Hall which appear to be working well and have been instrumental in increasing the use of the automatic passport gates. The Chairman advised that for the June PSSC Meeting they would have a tour of the terminal facilities and extended the invite to LLACC members. The importance and value of PSSC was noted by members as it seeks to improve the passenger experience but felt that it was not currently delivering its full potential as a sub Committee. The Committee felt that there was a role for passenger representation and that the Airports Transports forum had much interaction with the PSSC and it was felt that the new LLAOL Environment Manager should be invited to join the PSSC to formally link the 2 activities. The Chairman advised the both Cllr Lloyd and Cllr Brook would not be standing for re-election in May and would therefore be relinquishing their position on the PSSC. Cllr Muir and Cllr Collins both agreed to join the subcommittee. London Luton Airport Reports LLAOL advised that On time Performance (OTP) continued to show good achievement for the period especially when considering the poor weather conditions during the first quarter of the year. Passengers experienced queue times of an average 14 minutes in the 90 th percentile and 10 minutes in the 75 th percentile. LLAOL informed that the Security Team and other passenger facing staff have all undergone Customer Service, this has had a positive impact on staff and is reflect in the results captured on the Happy or Not customer feedback machines, the majority of which has been positive. Members were updated on Phase II of the Immigration Hall enhancement project which includes an increase in the number of passport inspection desks and the realignment of the general layout which will promote the visibility of the ACS gates. Reference was made regarding the Signature new FBO Development it was questioned why the contaminated land was being transported to Milton Keynes. LLAOL advised that the decision would have been approved agreed between the developer and the Environment Agency and would have been dependant on the level and type of waste being removed. Members question if the airport had any further update on traffic patterns. LLAOL confirmed that a full Surface Access Strategy would be undertaken as part of the airport development. Members referred to the airport expansion and the increase in the number jobs, it was suggested that the numbers quoted appeared o be inflated. LLAOL advised that he figures were not just LLAOL and will be other companies associated with the airport ie. airlines and handling agents. 2/4
6.0 Luton Borough Council Report 6.1 6.2 6.3 LBC advised that there had been no new planning applications currently under consideration. With reference to the LLAOL s application LBC advised that they had requested additional information from LLAOL. LBC further advised that no date has yet been set for the application. LBC informed that they do not publish individual comments regarding the application as it would be difficult to get all the documents and information onto the website, but does include interested parties responses. Comment was made that the system used was unhelpful as it does not given any indication of what the contents are. Members raised a number of questions regarding the application Would the application be determined before aviation interim report. LBC informed that there was no reason to wait, however planning have their own timetable. will LBC have an independent noise consultant o review the noise data for the planning application. LBC advised tha they are still waiting to assess how much information they have and will then make a decision on on the best way forward Questions were raised again on who owns airport. LBC informed that LBC own the airport and that Abertis run the concession of the airport. Following the announcement that Abertis were carryout a strategic review of their airports, it was suggested that the planning application be withdrawn as planning involves a lot of money and investment. LLAOL advised that Abertis are undertaking a strategic review of all their airports not just Luton (Abertis have a portfolio of 27 airports). LBC informed that anyone can make an application for Planning. 6.4 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 It was noted that the anticipated opening of the Busway will be September 2013. The Busway is a shared maintenance cost between Luton and Central Bedfordshire Government s Aviation Policy Framework The Chairman introduced the Aviation Policy Framework which effectively replaces Aviation White Paper 2003. The LLACC noise advisor has prepared an analysis of the specific noise aspects within the document. It was noted that it was not a consultation document and was primarily for information but does have a couple of implied tasks which need to be looked at when reviewing the constitution. It was noted that item 1.8 of working together suggests that an increase of economic development of the airport is vital with direct suggestion tha LEP s should be involved in local framework. The suggested as an action to ask the Airport Commission to further comment later in the year. 2/5
8.0 Correspondence received since 15 October 2012 Members noted correspondence. 9.0 Any Other Business The Chairman informed that Cllrs Lloyd; Brooks and Rowlands would not be standing for re election. The Chairman thanked them for the contribution over the years and hoped that their successors would be as equally engaged. The committee passed on Good Luck and best wishes. No other business was discussed 10.0 Date of Next Meeting LLACC Meetings 8 th July 2013 13.00hrs NTSC Meetings Normally these are held about 4 weeks in advance of LLACC meetings. 19 th June 2013-14.00hrs (this meeting was rescheduled for 27 th June 2013) PSSC Meetings Normally these are held about 4 weeks in advance of LLACC meetings normally during the morning of the day on which NTSC meetings are held. this will be a tour of the terminal facilities 19 th June 2013-10.30hrs 2/6