Agenda item - Air Quality Management Area

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

That Committee:-

1.                  Approves the proposed refocusing of the existing AQMAs and instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing, after necessary consultation, to take all necessary steps to vary the AQMA Orders of 2004 and 2008 as shown in Figure 2 of Appendix 1. 

2.                  Instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing to continue to explore measures to improve air quality in the new AQMA, including the policy themes listed in paragraph 3.27 and Appendix 2.

3.                  Instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing to consult the taxi trade and stakeholders concerning the potential new taxi licensing policy measures as set out in paragraph 3.25.

4.                  Instructs officers to investigate the development of a Low Emission Zone in the central city area and, after discussion with partners, report back to Committee later this year on the possibility of implementation.

13.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing that set out a proposal for a new Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and brief outline for a new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). The report also considered the outcome of detailed air quality assessments and, based on the findings, made recommendations for amendments to the existing AQAP.

13.2         Councillor Davey moved a motion to add a further recommendation 2.4 as shown in bold italics below:

2.4        Instructs officers to investigate the development of a Low Emission Zone in the central city area and, after discussion with partners, report back to Committee later this year on the possibility of implementation in 2015.

13.3         Councillor Sykes formally seconded the motion.

13.4         Councillor Cox expressed his concern that the administration had issued a press release earlier in the day that misleading claimed they had succeeded in introducing a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in 2015 when the Committee had yet to make their decision.

13.5         Councillor Janio noted his concern that the proposals appeared to be a foregone conclusion. In addition, Councillor Janio enquired as to why the AQMA area had been reduced when the air quality problems had not necessarily been solved. Councillor Janio stated that there had been a significant amount of rain in 2013 which may have led to the particle matter being washed away. Councillor Janio also felt more extensive comparable data should be provided.

13.6         The Senior Technical Officer clarified that there had been a net reduction in nitrogen dioxide in the AQMA with several areas declining for the first time since monitoring had begun. There had been a gradual improvement in air quality in Hove between 2000 and 2010. Furthermore, the Technical Officer explained that AQMA was an assessment of airborne nitrogen dioxide levels and not particle matter.

13.7         Councillor Cox noted that he had been intending to support the amendment put forward but was now unsure as the administrations press release in advance of the decision had made the topic overtly political. Councillor Cox noted that the AQMA in London had seen the introduction of 1000 new buses at considerable cost. Councillor Cox enquired if an equivalent scheme in Brighton would lead to fare rises which could lead to fewer people using them as a means of transport.

13.8         Councillor Mitchell thanked officers for adding the five actions listed at 3.25 with reference to air quality and taxi licensing policy as these issues had been the source of some difficulties within East Brighton ward. Councillor Mitchell echoed Councillor Cox’s concerns regarding the politicisation of the issue by the administration and that a decision had already been made in advance of the findings of the subsequent report to be presented to Committee.

13.9         The Chair stated that whilst the administration could rightfully have views on a variety of issues, the motion was clear that introduction of an LEZ was only to be investigated at this stage and was still only a possibility.

13.10    Councillor Deane expressed her hope that the opposition Members could support the motion as they all had a duty to put forward a solution to the benefit of the city.

13.11    Councillor Robins enquired why 2015 had been identified as a date of implementation.

13.12    Councillor Davey clarified that the issue required urgent attention and working to a deadline would prompt focus. Councillor Davey supplemented that that the issue required thorough work and 2015 was a reasonable time-frame for this work to be undertaken. Furthermore, many other cities had introduced a LEZ ahead of that schedule.

13.13    Councillor Sykes stated that the city was in breach of air quality requirements and setting a realistic deadline to partly resolve that would be helpful.

13.14    Councillor Robins moved a motion to remove the words “in 2015” from the motion.

13.15    Councillor Janio formally seconded the motion.

13.16    The Chair put the motion, as amended, to a vote.

13.17    The motion was carried.

13.18    Councillor Mitchell asked if opposition Members could contribute to the report particularly with regard to the economic impact of introducing a LEZ.

13.19    The Chair stated his agreement with Councillor Mitchell’s proposal.

13.20    Councillor Davey stated that reducing air quality had been identified as a priority for the Transport Partnership and he would welcome extra meetings to comprehensively work through the issue.

13.21    RESOLVED-

That Committee:-

1.                  Approves the proposed refocusing of the existing AQMAs and instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing, after necessary consultation, to take all necessary steps to vary the AQMA Orders of 2004 and 2008 as shown in Figure 2 of Appendix 1. 

2.                  Instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing to continue to explore measures to improve air quality in the new AQMA, including the policy themes listed in paragraph 3.27 and Appendix 2.

3.                  Instructs the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing to consult the taxi trade and stakeholders concerning the potential new taxi licensing policy measures as set out in paragraph 3.25.

4.                  Instructs officers to investigate the development of a Low Emission Zone in the central city area and, after discussion with partners, report back to Committee later this year on the possibility of implementation.