Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

29.1    At this point in the meeting, the Chair proposed to vote to extend the meeting by 30 minutes to enable the Committee to consider the Draft Air Quality Action Plan Report. Members voted to continue the meeting.

29.2    The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Field, introduced the report and advised that an Air Quality Action Plan was required by law under the Environment Act 1995. He noted that the plan was in draft form and had been approved by partners and Cabinet in September. He further advised that next steps would be to commence a public consultation on the draft plan.

29.3    The Chair asked for clarification as to how many Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) were in the city, and where they were located. Councillor Field confirmed that there were three AQMAs in Gloucester. He noted that Barton Street and Priory Road has been AQMAs since 2005, and Painswick Road since 2007.

29.4    In response to a further question from the Chair as to the length of time the AQMAs had been in place, Councillor Field explained that air quality nationally was an improving picture and that the Council might be able to consider revoking some of the AQMAs in the future. He impressed that this would need further discussion and detailed consideration, as having an order in place kept the focus on improving air quality in those areas.

29.5    Councillor S. Chambers noted her disappointment that the report did not include data around the health impacts and deaths associated with poor air quality in the UK. She expressed the view that the report needed further detail around the causes of air quality deterioration in the city. Councillor Field noted that there was extensive information on the Council website on air quality, including a list of documents which may include this detailed information. He advised Members that the report was a high-level summary to be read alongside the action plan.

29.6    Councillor Chambers-Dubus asked how the Council determined whether any other areas needed to be given AQMA status. Councillor Field explained that there were 24 diffusion tubes around the city which monitored Nitrogen Dioxide levels, and if levels in a particular area reached a certain point, this would trigger the need to introduce an air quality action area. The Community Wellbeing Manager added that factors such as the nature of the street itself and how many residential properties were in the area would be taken into account when considering whether to introduce an air quality action area. He further noted that an annual report which would be published in due course would include information on the readings in other areas of the city and how they compared to the current AQMAs and the national threshold.

29.7    In response to comments from Councillor Conder, Councillor Field confirmed that diffusion tubes were in place at 2 properties along Barnwood Road to measure air quality in the area.

29.8    Councillor Radley reflected on her interest in particulate matter and its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and seeking approval for it to proceed to consultation.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the contents of the report and action plan are supported;

(2)       progression to consultation is agreed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that updated Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and sought approval for it to proceed to consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Environment placed the report in the context of improving air quality announced both nationally and in the City.  He noted that stakeholders had been consulted (3.1) and the range of measures in the appendix which progressed the City towards its Net Zero emissions target.  The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that the Council had a good record in this area and referred to its Green Travel Plan and the successful take up of the electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the contents of the report and action plan are supported;

(2)       progression to consultation is agreed.