Issue - meetings

Environmental Services & Sustainability Services Portfolio

To consider report HCS/25 of the Head of Community Services, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 8 March 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         notes and acknowledge that it appears following the annual review and assessment of air quality, that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective as specified in the Air Quality Regulations 2000 is not being achieved within the area outlined in red on the plan in Schedule 1 of Appendix A of report HCS/25 (comprising the whole of the designated area under the Hazelwick AQMA and an area adjacent thereto) and;

b)      agrees to extend the designated area of the existing Hazelwick AQMA by making an order pursuant to section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 in the terms set out in the draft at Appendix A to report HCS/25.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The council has a statutory duty under the Environmental Act 1995 to declare an Air Quality Management Area in areas where, following an air quality review, it appears that any of the National air quality objectives are not being met.

The Council monitors and reviews air quality across the borough annually to identify those areas where prescribed air quality objectives, are being, or are likely to be, exceeded. Having identified locations in this area that are exceeding the limits for annual average nitrogen dioxide, the Council has a duty to declare an AQMA.

Declaring the AQMA, enables an air quality action plan to be produced to target the sources of pollution in the locality and draw up measures to improve air quality in this area.

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability presented report HCS/25of the Head of Community Services which reported back on the recent consultation on a proposed variation to the designated boundary area of the Crawley Borough Council Hazelwick Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The consultation occurred following the recording of pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in the Hazelwick area were higher than as recommended by the Air Quality Regulations 2000. Previously the Council designated a Hazelwick AQMA order on 9 July 2015 and part of the consultation was to consider where any new AQMA should be covering. The report recommendation was to approve a new Hazelwick AQMA order which included an extension of the previous AQMA to allowed for a joined-up approach across all the locations within Hazelwick vicinity.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report OSC/294 to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 8 March 2021, which included:

·       That the Commission support the recommendation of the AQMA and acknowledged that even through the air quality had improved during lockdown, it was important to continue to monitor going forward.

·       It was recognised that having an AQMA was a recommendation within the recent Climate Change Scrutiny Panel final report

Councillors P Smith, Crow and Lamb spoke in favour of the recommendations as part of the discussion on the report.

Councillor Jhans moved the recommendation with it seconded by Councillor Lamb.

A recorded vote was taken on the recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules.  The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins, B Smith and P Smith (6)

Against the recommendations:

None. (0)

Abstentions:

None. (0)

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)          notes and acknowledge that it appears following the annual review and assessment of air quality, that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective as specified in the Air Quality Regulations 2000 is not being achieved within the area outlined in red on the plan in Schedule 1 of Appendix A of report HCS/25 (comprising the whole of the designated area under the Hazelwick AQMA and an area adjacent thereto) and;

b)    agrees to extend the designated area of the existing Hazelwick AQMA by making an order pursuant to section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 in the terms set out in the draft at Appendix A to report HCS/25.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The council has a statutory duty under the Environmental Act 1995 to declare an Air Quality Management Area in areas where, following an air quality review, it appears that any of the National air quality objectives are not being met.

The Council monitors and reviews air quality across the borough annually to identify those areas where prescribed air quality objectives, are being, or are likely to be, exceeded. Having identified locations in this area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

To consider report HCS/25 of the Head of Community Services.

The Commission consider report HCS/25 of the Head of Community Services. The report sought approval for the variation to the designated boundary area of the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), together with the approval of the Order to vary the designated boundary area of the AQMA, following recent public consultation.

Following discussion with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, the Head of Community Services and Senior Environmental Health Officer, Members had the following comments:

·         Acknowledgement that the nitrogen dioxide levels as specified in the Air Quality Regulations 2000 were not being achieved. The extension of the AQMA allowed for a joined up approach across all the locations within the area.

·         Confirmation that the nitrogen dioxide levels readings were reported annually in arrears.  Although it was noted that traffic levels and air pollution reduced during the first lockdown in early 2020, DEFRA had confirmed 2020 to be an exceptional year and figures for 2-3 years should be analysed.

·         It was noted that when the Three Bridges Improvement Scheme was reviewed, the current proposed design should be analysed to establish how it may affect the AQMA, particularly given the proposed change in road layout and removal of the right-hand turn from the station. Nitrogen dioxide levels and the 2019 data should feed into this review. 

·         Once the AQMA was declared, an air quality action plan would be produced to target sources of pollution and produce measures for mitigating issues within the areas.  It was recognised that this was a recommendation within the recent Climate Change Scrutiny Panel final report. 

·         It was highlighted that education was key, along with the work taking place on active travel and sustainable transport.  It would be important to promote modal shift and reduce emissions and improve air quality over time.  Additionally, it was felt liaison with partners or businesses would be important to encourage alternative methods.

·         Minor amendments within the document were noted but it was acknowledged that the draft order did not highlight those locations where the entire road was not covered by the AQMA, which could be confusing for the public.

·         The actions in the previous AQMA have been in place since 2015, and measures had been established throughout the borough to address air quality.  However it was noted that the road layout around Hazelwick was particularly difficult as a major road for Manor Royal and M23. Therefore improvements had not been as rapid but traffic management schemes were being analysed to improve traffic flow.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comments sheet.