Agenda item - Air Quality Programme Update

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)           That the Committee note the work of the Air Quality Programme Board in aligning internal projects and programmes that are directing the Council’s response to improving air quality across the City.

2)           That the Committee agree to receive regular Air Quality policy and programme reports including an update on the Low Emission Zone at the June 2018 ETS Committee.

66.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that informed Members on the work of the Council’s Air Quality Programme Board.

66.2      Councillor West stated that whilst he welcomed the work of the Programme Board, it was currently officer-led and in his view the Board should be more open and transparent and be Member-led. Councillor West added that more action was required on congestion and convincing leadership necessary and expressed his disappointment relating to the lack of an extension of the Low Emission Zone and sustainability impacts of the modifications to the opening hours of George Street to traffic.

66.3      Councillor Littman stated that it was unsatisfactory that the administration had taken three years to establish a specific Board dedicated to considering improvements to air quality in the city. Referring to page 135 of the agenda, Councillor Littman stated that it was highly disappointing that there was no cross-sector, city-wide programme to promote walking and cycling although he acknowledged that there was work underway to that end. Councillor Littman stated that vehicle idling was a serious problem in the city and was an offence and he hoped joint enforcement with Sussex Police could be taken. Councillor Littman stated that serious action on air quality would require external funding and measures that may not be popular and he hoped there would be sufficient political will and commitment to implement those.

66.4      The Chair provided assurance of political commitment adding the support of central government would be essential to meet the challenges set out in the report of the Board. 

66.5      Councillor Horan reiterated the commitments made by the Chair adding that a recent application for funding to convert the remaining Brighton & Hove Bus Company fleet to low emission had unfortunately been rejected. Councillor Horan added that this decision had been based upon the decision by central government to change the focus from local authority information to national assessment results meaning Brighton & Hove was categorised with Littlehampton and Worthing on air quality assessments. Councillor Horan supplemented that the council had continued to use meter readings from locations in North Street and Lewes Road and had submitted those readings to government which was a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to combatting air quality.

66.6      Councillor Wares noted there were several initiatives that could be undertaken in suburban areas of Brighton & Hove to improve air quality in the city such as locating Car Clubs and Bikeshare hubs on the outlier areas of the city. Councillor Wares added there were other initiatives that could be considered such as the extension of concessionary bus passes to under 16’s. In relation to the application for funding to convert bus fleet to low emission referred to by Councillor Horan, Councillor Wares noted that he had researched the reasons set out by DEFRA as to why the application had been refused and would contend that the application was to poor standard rather than down to the location of meters and their readings.

66.7      Councillor Horan replied that the DEFRA application analysis had been of surprise given that the same team had made two previous successful bids for funding to DEFRA and that could be indicative of a national trend in funding awards.

66.8      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Committee note the work of the Air Quality Programme Board in aligning internal projects and programmes that are directing the Council’s response to improving air quality across the City.

2)           That the Committee agree to receive regular Air Quality policy and programme reports including an update on the Low Emission Zone at the June 2018 ETS Committee.