Agenda item

The Leader invited the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board to Councillor P. Lammas to introduce the report of the Task Group on Air Quality in the absence of the Chairman of the Task Group who was unable to attend the Cabinet meeting.

 

Councillor Lamas referred to the recommendations of the Task Group which were contained within 5 chapters:

 

·         The review of the Air Quality Scrutiny report completed in December 2007;

·         The role of Worcestershire Regulatory Services;

·         The role of Worcestershire County Council;

·         Health implications; and

·         Conclusion

 

The Cabinet then considered the recommendations of the Task Group in detail.

 

Recommendation 1

 

Recommendation 1 – Low Emission Zones

Further consideration be given for LEZs to be included within the Air Quality Action Plan.

 

Recommendation 7 – Town Centre Redevelopment

A representative from Worcestershire Regulatory Services to be included within the membership of the Town Centre Redevelopment Group.

 

Recommendation 8 – High Street and The Strand

Although not declared as an Air Quality Management Area the continued monitoring of the air quality at Davenal House should take place and consideration be given to alterations to the traffic lights.

 

Recommendation 17 – Taxi Ranks

Regular reminders to taxi drivers in respect of leaving their engines running whilst waiting for the next fare at a taxi rank.

 

Cabinet Response

 

Recommendation 1 – Low Emission Zones

This was not supported in view of the likely finance implications.

 

Recommendation 7 – Town Centre Redevelopment

It was reported that the Town Centre Redevelopment Group was no longer in existence.

 

Recommendation 8 – High Street and The Strand

It was noted that monitoring was on going but it was felt that changes to the traffic lights would be costly at this stage. 

 

Recommendation 17 – Taxi Rank

This was approved.

 

Recommendation 2

 

(a)       that separate Air Quality Action Plans be produced for the four AQMAs in Bromsgrove district in order to address the particular circumstances in each location

 

(b)       that the Action plans contain specific targets and detail projected timeframes and all actions should be implemented within those timescales

 

Cabinet Response

 

This was not agreed as it was felt that the overall County Air Quality Action Plan would be sufficient.

 

Recommendation 3

 

That a separate Air Quality Steering Group should be established in respect of the four AQMAs in Bromsgrove district.

 

Cabinet Response

 

It was not agreed that a separate Group was required as it was felt that the single Steering Group would be sufficient.

 

Recommendation 4

 

That the Overview and Scrutiny Board be provided with regular progress reports from the Air Quality Steering Group.

 

Cabinet Response

 

This is not applicable if the separate Steering Group is not set up. It was suggested as an alternative that the Annual report to DEFRA also be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Board at no additional cost.

 

Recommendation 5

 

Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) applies for funding from the DEFRA Air Quality Grant Programme. If the first application is not successful the WRS should persist in submitting further applications in subsequent years.

 

Cabinet Response

 

It was agreed that WRS should apply for DEFRA funding as appropriate and in accordance with the Air Quality Action Plan.

 

Recommendation 6

 

That Worcestershire County Council applies for funding from the Worcestershire Local Transport Body in order to fund traffic management measures that will tackle air pollution in the Bromsgrove AQMAs.

 

Cabinet Response

 

Whilst this is a matter for the County Council there is no objection to requesting the County Council to make the application.

 

Recommendation 7

 

That Worcestershire County Council liaises with local bus operators to establish a local bus quality partnership in order to investigate the potential to update the bus fleets operating within the Bromsgrove district.

 

Cabinet Response

 

Whilst this is a matter for the County Council there is no objection to requesting the County Council to liaise with the relevant bus operators.

 

Recommendation 8

 

That the health implications of air pollution be the focus of a detailed review by the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Cabinet Response

 

It was noted that discussions were on going and that there was no objection to the issue being raised by the District Councillors who were Members of the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Recommendation 9 

 

That the regular monitoring of particulate air pollutants within the Bromsgrove District’s four AQMAs is carried out by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

 

Cabinet Response

 

This was not agreed in view of the significant cost implications.   

 

Recommendation 10

 

That Bromsgrove District Council sends a letter to the relevant Government Minister urging him/her to accelerate efforts to address problems with the higher emission levels from HGVs with a copy of the letter also being sent to the local M.P.

 

Cabinet Response

This recommendation was agreed.

 

Recommendation 11

 

That Bromsgrove District Council sends a letter to the relevant Government Minister responsible for DEFRA urging him/her to review the role of those responsible for Air Quality with a copy of the letter also being sent to the local M.P.

 

Cabinet Response

 

This recommendation was agreed.

 

Recommendation 12

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Board consider launching a separate review of CO2 emissions in the District.

 

Cabinet Response

 

It was felt this was a matter for the Overview and Scrutiny Board to determine as part of their future Work Programme.

 

The Leader thanked Members and officers for their work on this Task Group.