Issue - items at meetings - Air Quality Progress Report

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

That the Committee:

1.      Notes the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) set out at Appendix One.

2.      Notes the Air Quality progress report set out at Appendix Two and instructs the Strategic Director, Place to consider further options that may be brought forward concerning local Air Quality Management measures necessary to achieve compliance with Defra objectives, targets and requirements.

3.      Agrees that the Air Quality Action Plan be included as supporting evidence for the Council’s City Plan and the appropriate Development Plan documents, the Local Transport Plan and Council strategies.

4.      Directs the Strategic Director, Place to meet appropriate Defra officials to seek clarity on the Council’s current liability and timescales required for compliance.

10.1   The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that set out the Air Quality Action Plan, Air Quality Progress report and Air Quality Action Plan. Publication of Air Quality Progress Reports was one of the council’s statutory duties under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and the Clean Air Act 1993.

10.2   The Chair stated that a recent update on air quality in the city showed NO2 levels in parts of the city centre after decades of monitoring remained significantly over EU limits.

           This had a serious health impact and there was a growing risk of fines which may be passed on to the city.

           The administration were improving sustainable transport and seeking to address city centre air pollution, with investments in the Lewes Road, Old Shoreham Road cycles lanes, more electric charging points and using parking tariffs to encourage parking to spread away hotspots.

            The Chair added that he had called for this report so that members were aware of the concern over air quality and so they could consider what further may need to be done to achieve compliance.

10.3         The Head of Regulatory Services and the Senior Technical Officer provided further information on the technical aspects of the report.

10.4         Councillor Janio asked how likely it was that the Local Authority would have to pay fines to the European Union (EU).

10.5         The Head of Regulatory Services clarified that whilst there were some safeguards and financial sanctions wouldn’t be imminent, the Localism Act authorised financial sanctions to be passed on to Local Authorities.

10.6         Councillor Theobald noted that air quality had improved in suburban areas but worsened in the city centre.

10.7         The Head of Regulatory Services replied that there were varying factors behind this including the most common type of fleet in these areas, the street size and the design of buildings in the proximity. For example, North Street had very tall buildings which affected the dispersal of emissions.

10.8         Councillor Deane asked if there was evidence of a topographical effect on emissions in the city and enquired if it was possible to negotiate timescales of action.

10.9         The Head of Regulatory Services replied that topography did have an effect in relation to the terrain of the South Downs preventing the dispersal of emissions. He clarified that officers were seeking to speak to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about a possible extension.

10.10    Councillor Mitchell asked if central government would be requesting tighter targets in Local Transport Plans.

10.11    The Chair replied that the recommendations in the report sought to establish this with central government.

10.12    Councillor Janio asked what could be done to identify the main problems.

10.13    The Head of Regulatory Services replied linking with partners such as the NHS was providing a better understanding of the problems presented. The Senior Technical Officer added that significant improvements had already been made including a dispersion model tool for assessing the worst affected streets.

10.14    The Chair noted that it was proposed that officers would present a further report to the Committee with a visual presentation.

10.15    Councillor Sykes stated that it was important that Members support the recommendations in the report and that action be undertaken as soon as possible.

10.16    Councillor Cobb stated that she was a supporter of hybrid and electric cars but the authority needed to be more sensitive to the placement of charging points and make efforts to bring down the cost of owning such vehicles.

10.17    Councillor Janio stated that the problems could not be considered on monetary values alone and what was needed was a steady plan with sensible spending figures.

10.18    Councillor Sykes noted that one of the recommendations requested officers to look at the best course of action to address air quality problems. He agreed with Councillor Janio that the solution was not to spend huge sums of money on the problem but to devise a strategy that was realistic and fit for purpose.

10.19    RESOLVED-That the Committee:

1.      Notes the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) set out at Appendix One.

2.      Notes the Air Quality progress report set out at Appendix Two and instructs the Strategic Director, Place to consider further options that may be brought forward concerning local Air Quality Management measures necessary to achieve compliance with Defra objectives, targets and requirements.

3.      Agrees that the Air Quality Action Plan be included as supporting evidence for the Council’s City Plan and the appropriate Development Plan documents, the Local Transport Plan and Council strategies.

4.      Directs the Strategic Director, Place to meet appropriate Defra officials to seek clarity on the Council’s current liability and timescales required for compliance.