ICCAN to consider if it needs [indispensable!] powers by Sept 2020, rather than April 2021 ….
ICCAN (the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise) consulted on its Corporate Strategy earlier in the year, and it has now published the final version. This sets out ICCAN’s aims and objectives for 2019 – 2021. A key issue of great concern to anyone hoping the Commission might be able to make any real difference on aviation noise, is whether it will have any powers for regulation and enforcement. The consultation document said: “…as we near our two-year review we won’t hesitate to recommend to the Government that enforcement powers should be introduced, should we consider at that point that the industry and decision-makers are not acting in the best interests of their communities, or not taking their concerns seriously.” Now the final version says “… ICCAN will make independent, evidence-based recommendations which it will expect the government and others to take seriously and act on. … we will bring forward our opinion on the future of regulation and enforcement of noise issues in the UK, to September 2020 (from our intended April 2021 two year review point). This is the earliest that we believe we can realistically and achievably take a view on the regulation.”
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The ICCAN documents can be seen (sort of….) at the webpage – ICCAN does not have a website …. see link
As they are so hard to download, the ICCAN page says:
“The best way to view the below documents is to use Google Chrome. If you do not have Google Chrome or are having issues opening and viewing the below documents, please email contacticcan@iccan.gov.uk and we will send you PDF versions of the documents.”
The ICCAN document
ICCAN Corporate Strategy – Summary of responses Overview
says, on the important issue of whether ICCAN will get the powers it needs to make any effective difference on aviation noise: (quotes below)
Stronger powers
A number of responses highlighted the need for ICCAN to have stronger powers to enable enforcement or regulation if it is to deliver any successful outcomes. Many respondents felt that an independent body having regulatory powers around aviation noise would be beneficial to ensure compliance or be in a position to incentivise or penalise noisy airlines.
What was said:
“ICCAN should have stronger powers of enforcement in relation to noise measurement, mitigation and compensation measures.” (Local authority response)
“There should be a stronger remit with reviewing the regulatory framework around airspace changes in order to deliver noise improvements sooner.” (Airport response)
“We would like to see ICCAN as a statutory body.” (Community group response)
“The one objective that would make all the difference would be if you could attain a status that gives you the power to enforce.” (Individual response)
Feedback
ICCAN should have enforcement powers to ensure it can enable change
Response by ICCAN
While we note the concern regarding ICCAN’s position as an advisory body and the desire to see us develop stronger powers to help better regulate the impact of aviation noise, ICCAN will make independent, evidence-based recommendations which it will expect the government and others to take seriously and act on.
Given comments on timescales and ambition (see below), and in light of many other activities occurring in the aviation world (notably the Aviation Strategy, airspace modernisation, and general expansion and growth around the country), we will bring forward our opinion on the future of regulation and enforcement of noise issues in the UK, to September 2020 (from our intended April 2021 two year review point). This is the earliest that we believe we can realistically and achievably take a view on the regulation. This piece of work will also encompass the issue of planning and land use.
We recognise that a full review of regulation and enforcement will take time but will look to bring forward key aspects of our work, particularly around enforcement, within the first 12 months of our strategy going live.
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Earlier ICCAN consultation document
Their earlier consultation document (again, no documents have dates ….) from about late May 2019, said this on the issue of powers:
ICCAN will be reviewed in two years’ time and a decision will be made about its future direction as an organisation, including whether to give it increased powers. In the meantime, ICCAN’s role is threefold: to listen, to evaluate and to advise.
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Our starting point is to do so by building consensus, and driving improvements in the way noise management is approached through behavioural change. But as we near our two-year review we won’t hesitate to recommend to the Government that enforcement powers should be introduced, should we consider at that point that the industry and decision-makers are not acting in the best interests of their communities, or not taking their concerns seriously.
What
Review existing enforcement mechanisms and consider whether further enforcement and regulatory powers are necessary and, if so, to which body they might be given
Milestone for success
Make recommendations to Government in time for the two-year review of ICCAN
What
Advise on best practice on information provision, and could provide advice on areas where it may be beneficial for the CAA to use its information powers to improve transparency and drive improvements
Milestone for success
Consider current CAA approach to information powers by April 2021
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See earlier:
ICCAN consultation on its Corporate Strategy – public welcome to respond – deadline 16th June
The Airports Commission suggested, back in 2015, that there should be an independent body looking into aircraft noise issues – largely to help reduce public opposition to the massive increase in noise that would be generated by a Heathrow 3rd runway. The ICCAN (Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise) was finally set up earlier this year, with a chairman (Rob Light) and three commissioners (Colin Noble, Howard Simmons and Simon Henley). It has been visiting a lot of airports, and also community groups. It plans to take two years to make its recommendations, and it will then decide if it needs to have some statutory powers – it currently has no powers to get the industry to do anything. ICCAN says: “Our two-year aim – To improve public confidence and trust in the management of aviation noise, by building our expertise, credibility and profile across the UK.” There is currently a consultation on ICCAN’s corporate strategy, which the public are requested to fill in. No technical expertise is needed – and the views of ordinary people, to whom plane noise is of interest or concern, are solicited. Deadline 16th June.
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