Agenda item

(a)  Endorse the findings of the Economic Impact Assessment and recommend the findings to the UK Airport’s Commission for their consideration, stressing that the relocation of Heathrow would have a catastrophic effect on the communities surrounding it.

(b)  Recognise the importance of Heathrow to the economy and employment opportunities in Slough and surrounding areas, and express deep concern over the possible relocation/closure of Heathrow or measures which would diminish the position of the airport.

(c)  Raise awareness of the Residential Day Noise Insulation Scheme to eligible households in Slough to mitigate the disruptive impact that noise has on residents.

(d)  Request relevant departments across the council to explore required mitigations for a range of future Heathrow related scenarios.

The Chief Executive introduced a report and made a presentation on Slough’s relationship with Heathrow Airport and set out the results of the recent resident’s survey and research on the economic relationship between Slough and the airport.

The research had been considered by the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel on 30^th October 2013 and it had been recommended that the Cabinet “…oversee the collation of all relevant data relating to the impact of Heathrow on Slough now and in the future” once the Davies Commission had announced its shortlist of options in December 2013.  The Cabinet were informed of the key conclusions emerging from the various pieces of research as detailed in the presentation and report, which underlined the economic importance of Heathrow to Slough and the potential impacts of various options including the ‘worst case scenario’ of the relocation of Heathrow.

(Councillor Sharif joined the meeting)

Members noted the key points emerging from the research which were summarised as follows:

• Heathrow was currently operating at 98% capacity and many of its services were made possible by transfer passengers.
• The Resident Survey commissioned by the Council revealed that 56% of respondents believed Heathrow had a positive impact on their life compared to 32% mixed and 10% negative.  68% were affected by aircraft noise of which 25% stated that it was very disruptive.
• LEP commissioned research estimated that between 290,000 and 350,000 jobs were at risk if Heathrow closed and 35,000 additional jobs could be generated by an additional runway at Heathrow.
• A report by Lambert Smith Hampton indicated that the closure of Heathrow could result in a total loss of property values between £1.9m and £2.6bn.
• The Economic Impact Study, commissioned by the Council and conducted by independent consultants, had demonstrated that a total of between 15,200 and 18,800 Slough residents’ jobs were at risk if Heathrow closed, including both direct and ‘catalytic’ jobs i.e. employment related to the economic activity resulting from proximity to the airport.
• Maintaining the status quo at Heathrow was estimated to lead to a decline in jobs in Slough of 1,000 by 2020 and over 2,000 by 2030.

The Cabinet noted that a wide range of environmental and health impacts would also need to be considered as part of the overall assessment of the options in responding to the Davies Commission.  A number of matters were discussed including the various options proposed to the Davies Commission; air quality management; the importance of Heathrow engaging more fully with local communities to mitigate impacts such as noise; and the importance of ensuring Slough was able to exploit the potential economic opportunities if the option of Heathrow expansion was pursued.  The Cabinet welcomed the survey and Economic Impact Study and agreed that a clear and evidence based response to the Davies Commission was important once the shortlist of options was published.  The Council should also collate and conduct the necessary work to assess these options to inform the Council’s response.

Resolved –

(a)  That the findings of the Economic Impact Assessment be endorsed and recommended to the UK Airport’s Commission for their consideration, stressing that the relocation of Heathrow would have a catastrophic effect on the communities surrounding it.

(b)  That the importance of Heathrow to the economy and employment opportunities in Slough and surrounding areas be recognised, and deep concern be expressed over the possible relocation/closure of Heathrow or measures which would diminish the position of the airport.

(c)  That awareness be raised of the Residential Day Noise Insulation Scheme to eligible households in Slough to mitigate the disruptive impact that noise has on residents.

(d)  That relevant departments across the council be requested to explore required mitigations for a range of future Heathrow related scenarios.