Issue - meetings

The Principal Officer (Planning and Technical Pollution Control) from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented the Air Quality Enhanced Monitoring Options Report for Cabinet’s consideration.

The report outlined the background of the proposal for an enhanced monitoring system. It was reported that historically there had been concerns aboutnitrogen dioxide emissions caused by road traffic in the Bromsgrove area. In addition to this, it was noted that there were limitations to the system currently deployed within Bromsgrove and delays were experienced in reporting using this system. However, it was confirmed that improved technology was now available and that this would provide more readily available data and moveable monitoring units. Cabinet was reminded that air quality enhanced monitoring had been raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Board during its meeting held on 5^th July 2022.

Also contained within the report were cost breakdowns of two options for enhanced monitoring for Bromsgrove District Council; one that outlined the cost of 3 units and revenue funding without grant funding and one that outlined the cost of 3 units and revenue funding with Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) grant funding. It was reported that, in September 2022, WRS had made an application to DEFRA on behalf of all Councils across Worcestershire of £280k worth of funding. Should this application be successful, it was required that the Council provide match funding of 10% for the capital and revenue costs over three years (£1,350 and £2,250 respectively).

During consideration of thisitem, it was clarified that the recommendations were subject to the successful outcome of the grant bid to DEFRA and that the Council would be notified of the outcome of this application in April 2023. The Interim S151 Officer confirmed that, subject to the outcome of the application, this would be included in tranche 2 of the budget.

Members also considered how the data collected from the enhanced monitoring system would be used. It was explained that it would feed into the County-wide Air Quality Management Plan and would drive local transport planning and active traffic planning for the future.

RESOLVED that subject to the successful outcome of the grant bid to DEFRA

1)              the £1,350 capital match funding be incorporated into the Council’s capital programme; and

2)       the £2,250 revenue match funding be incorporated in the Council’s revenue budget

as part of the Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2023/24 to 2025/26 which wasdue to be presented to Cabinet and Council in February 2023.