Issue - meetings

(Copy herewith)

2.1          Cabinet acknowledged the excellent work of Scrutiny Panel 4 in the production of their report Emissions Strategy (Action Plan).

2.2           Cabinet would respond to the recommendations of the Scrutiny report as outlined in the report and confirmed that the Low Emissions Strategy would be brought forward for adoption as soon as possible.

2.3           Cabinet endorsed the establishment of a multi-agency Air Quality Working Group to actively engage all stakeholders in the implementation of the Low Emissions Strategy and to develop further air quality initiatives. 

2.4           Cabinet endorsed the extension of the Council’s air quality monitoring network on a risk based basis to incorporate locations such as schools and residential areas where significant numbers of sensitive receptors may be exposed to elevated concentrations of air pollution.

2.5           Cabinet, noted that the Council was legally required to take action to address recently identified exceedances of air quality objective for Nitrogen Dioxide around Northgate Bus Station and The Drapery, Abington Square and Wellingborough Road, resolved to declare appropriate air quality management areas (AQMAs).

2.6           Cabinet declared a single air quality management area which encompasses existing areas of exceedance in the town centre and newly identified areas of exceedance.  As outlined in Appendix 2 of the report

2.7.          Cabinet noted that the work undertaken so far in the development of theStrategy is broadly in line with the requirements for the designation of a Non Charging Clean Air Zone as outlined in the DEFRA / DoT Clean Air Zone Framework and authorised the further development of this work with the aim of the development of a Clean Air Zone for Northampton.

Councillor Beardsworth commented that she was a bit disappointed as there was a lack of figures and statistics contained within the report which meant there was little scope for benchmarking. She noted that she could access information relating to Beijing and Singapore’s Air Quality and questioned why this was not accessible in Northampton.  She asked that the Management Area be extended to cover the Bus Station and Drapery.

Councillor Larratt concurred with Councillor Beardsworth and that lack of available baseline figures and would look to resolving the matter.

Councillor Kilby-Shaw, as the Chair of Scrutiny Panel 4, elaborated on the report and stated that it was an extensive problem that could only be actioned with the multi-agency and partnership working. He commented that the main issue was congestion and noted the Governments push on reducing the number of diesel vehicles on the road. He reported that there was a need for an education programme for children.

The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member for Environment and reported that there was a need for number to be published to ensure transparency.

The Deputy Leader thanked the officers for their expediency on the matter and notified Members that the publication of related figures would be done in the near future.

RESOLVED:  

2.1          That excellent work of Scrutiny Panel 4 in the production of their report Emissions Strategy (Action Plan) be acknowledged.

2.2           That Cabinet would respond to the recommendations of the Scrutiny report as outlined in the report and confirmed that the Low Emissions Strategy would be brought forward for adoption as soon as possible.

2.3           That the establishment of a multi-agency Air Quality Working Group to actively engage all stakeholders in the implementation of the Low Emissions Strategy and to develop further air quality initiatives be endorsed. 

2.4           That the extension of the Council’s air quality monitoring network on a risk based basis to incorporate locations such as schools and residential areas where significant numbers of sensitive receptors may be exposed to elevated concentrations of air pollution be endorsed

2.5           That it be noted that the Council was legally required to take action to address recently identified exceedances of air quality objective for Nitrogen Dioxide around Northgate Bus Station and The Drapery, Abington Square and Wellingborough Road, resolved to declare appropriate air quality management areas (AQMAs).

2.6           That a single air quality management area be declared which encompasses existing areas of exceedance in the town centre and newly identified areas of exceedance.  As outlined in Appendix 2 of the report

2.7.          That that the work undertaken so far in the development of theStrategy is broadly in line with the requirements for the designation of a Non Charging Clean Air Zone as outlined in the DEFRA / DoT Clean Air Zone Framework and authorised the further development of this work with the aim of the development of a Clean Air Zone for Northampton be noted.