Agenda item

Report of the Head of Community Services

Councillor A Woodman, Portfolio Holder, introduced the item to Members.

On behalf of the Air Quality Task and Finish Group, the Chairman of the group Councillor D Harrison, presented the findings and the formulated recommendations to Cabinet as detailed at appendix 4 of the report.

Members spoke positively in relation to the work undertaken by the task and finish Group and the majority of Members were in support of the proposed recommendations.  A distinction was made between the statutory amount of air quality monitoring required and the additional monitoring desired by Members. A comment was made regarding the area focus within recommendation 4 as it was felt it should take a more strategic approach across the whole district rather than to state specific monitoring sites.  As the view was not shared by all Members, an amendment to the recommendation was not sought.   

A Member referred to the audit document at Appendix 1 and asked that paragraph 3.10 be amended to say that liaison with the airport ‘should’ be increased rather than ’could’ be increased.  Likewise, it was asked that paragraph 5.8 be amended to say that NWLDC ‘should’ liaise more closely with the airport rather than ‘could’ liaise.  

It was questioned if High Street in Coalville should be included as a monitoring site as there were plans to widen the pavement to allow people to sit outside the establishments to consume refreshments.  This road was extremely busy; often with stationary vehicles queuing at the traffic lights which meant the air quality was poor.

Members were in support of the additional resource proposed for the air quality delivery plan.

A suggestion was made for cabinet to consider a decision making all NWLDC taxi’s electric by the year 2030.  A decision made now would give enough time to plan for the transition. 

Regard was given to the costs involved in the additional air quality monitoring being proposed and a member suggested that consideration be given to the Coalville Special Expenses, as there were budgets available, which could be used to fund equipment and monitoring in the Coalville area. 

At the request of Members, Clare Beattie, the Air Quality Consultant, addressed the committee and commented on some of the views shared at the meeting.

Councillors Eynon and Merrie wished their view to be noted that they did not agree with specifying monitoring locations in the fourth recommendation from the Task and Finish group. They felt a more strategic approach was required rather than specifying exact locations. They supported the recommendations overall and were content to support the majority view.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor M B Wyatt and

RECOMMENDED THAT CABINET:

1)     Produces a supplementary planning document to clarify the processes for Air Quality Management;

2)     Undertakes a review of Local Plan to include improved Air Quality standards;

3)     Responds to DEFRA consultations on Air Quality;

4)     Undertakes a strategic and costed plan, ensuring all the District’s monitoring meets the DEFRA guidelines and that the district is screened for poor air quality and not just existing sites. The monitoring of Air Quality is to be to a standard consistent with the Institute of Air Quality Management focusing on areas considered to be at risk from modelling evidence or as a response to community concern including:-

·      The re-instatement of the chemiluminescent instrument at the Broom Leys junction, Coalville to monitor NO2.  If that is now unavailable, install a Zephyr NO2 sensor;

·      The installation of a Zephyr PM2.5 sensor at the Bardon Road, Birch Tree roundabout, Coalville

·      The installation of a Zephyr NO2 or PM2.5 sensor at the Tesco A511 Roundabout , Ashby de la Zouch

·      The installation of a Zephyr NO2 sensor in High Street, Castle Donington

5)     Continues to monitor Kegworth AQMA with diffusion tubes until it shows no exceedances;

6)     Compiles a costed Plan to collaborate with County Public Health on the Air Quality JSNA;

7)     Provides an annual report on air quality across the whole District to the relevant scrutiny with factual data from all the AQMA machines and other measurement sites so elected members can scrutinise and provide further supported recommendations if needed;

8)     Allocates funding from the General Fund or the Zero Carbon reserve, as necessary, to enable the above actions to be carried out.