Agenda item

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor S Sheahan:

“This Council notes with concern the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that North West Leicestershire has the worst mortality rates (5.8%) attributable to fine particulate air pollution of any Council area within the East Midlands. Source - http://www.phoutcomes.info/public-health-outcomes-framework#page/0/gid/1000043/pat/104/ati/101/are/E07000131

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016, and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham,

·         bring forward an Air Quality Action Plan, identifying new priority measures to tackle PM2.5 emissions and concentrations”.

Councillor S Sheahan moved the following motion:

“This Council notes with concern the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that North West Leicestershire has the worst mortality rates (5.8%) attributable to fine particulate air pollution of any Council area within the East Midlands. Source - http://www.phoutcomes.info/public-health-outcomes-framework#page/0/gid/1000043/pat/104/ati/101/are/E07000131

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016 and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham,

·         bring forward an Air Quality Action Plan, identifying new priority measures to tackle PM2.5 emissions and concentrations”.

Councillor S Sheahan spoke to the motion, referring to the five air quality management areas in the district and the failure of the Council to produce an action plan despite being required to do so and recommendations from DEFRA that a new action plan be submitted.  He highlighted that the district had the worst mortality rate in 2017 for PM2.5 particulates in the East Midlands.  He felt that the Council had dragged its feet and the guidance provided by DEFRA showed that there was no safe level for particulate matter.  He stated that the Council needed to play its part and in doing so would save lives.

The motion was seconded by Councillor T Eynon.  She referred to the 2014 action plan and framework document which remained unmonitored and unreviewed.  She stated that the fraction of mortality in respect of particulates was 5.8%, however this was not just a statistic, these were people who had to choose between walking and talking.  She commented that the evidence was there, however it was not being updated and the Council had the responsibility but was not exercising it.

Councillor A V Smith moved the following amendment to the motion:

“This Council notes the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that 5.8 % of deaths of residents of North West Leicestershire are attributable to fine particulate air pollution. This does not mean that air pollution was the cause of those deaths, it means that air pollution was a factor in those deaths. Sources of PM2.5 air pollution include diesel vehicles, quarrying and agriculture and it is the case that North West Leicestershire hosts quarrying and agriculture activities, which employ thousands of residents. 

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016 and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham

·         if as a result it is considered to be necessary, support the development of an Air Quality Action Plan, identifying new priority measures to tackle PM2.5 emissions and concentrations.

It is worth noting that, while the percentage of deaths within this district, for which PM2.5 particulates are a factor, is higher than the equivalents for Leicester and Nottingham, the average life expectancy here is higher than it is in Leicester and Nottingham. An appropriate balance will therefore need to be struck between taking steps to tackle air pollution and the knock-on impacts such as increasing unemployment, if quarrying and agriculture were to be reduced as a result”.

Councillor A V Smith thanked Councillor S Sheahan for bringing this matter to her attention and Councillor T Eynon for her passionate seconding of the motion.  She stated that air quality affected everybody and this was an important issue.  She referred to the amendment, the aim of which was to seek clarity and ensure that action was not being taken prematurely.  She stated that the 5.8% figure did not necessarily mean that air quality was the cause of death, but was a factor.  She highlighted that North West Leicestershire had a longer life expectancy than Leicester and Nottingham and sources of air pollution in the district included not just cars, but also quarrying, agriculture and the airport.  She added that it was necessary to ensure that any proposals put forward would not affect jobs. 

Councillor R Blunt seconded the amendment and echoed Councillor A V Smith’s comments.  He added that this issue would be taken very seriously. 

Councillor S Sheahan exercised his right of reply and felt that the Council was continuing to evade its responsibilities.  He added that residents in the district were overly reliant on car use and the data needed to be utilised to press the case.

The Chairman then put the amendment to the vote and it was declared CARRIED.

The Chairman then put the substantive motion, as amended, to the vote and it was declared CARRIED.