Issue - meetings

(Technical Services- Cllr. K Williamson) -To endorse the adoption of the draft Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2028 – (C-045-2022-23).

That Cabinet agreed the adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2028.

The Technical Services Portfolio Holder introduced the report. This report provided cabinet members with a final Air Quality Action Plan, which had gone through a four-week public consultation between the 20th of January and 17th of February 2023 and updated according to consultation feedback. 

For context, air pollution had major health impacts on human health and any authority who had a declared Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for pollution exceedances, had a statutory duty to produce an AQAP with a list of measures aimed at addressing the AQMA.  Our District currently has one AQMA declared near the B1393/ Theydon Road junction at Epping, Bell Common for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).  Additionally, whilst we currently do not have any AQMA’s declared for particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) indicator that looks at the fraction of mortality attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 calculates that our District is above the England average. 

This AQAP had been developed to not only address our statutory obligations relating to our AQMA, but also improve air quality in our District as well as support the aims of our Climate Change Action Plan and our work around improving air quality for the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation. 

Members asked for exploration of the use of digital Air Quality Monitoring. They also noted the plan had a large number of actions which could be made more specific and measurable and, asked if had these been budgeted for. They were told that although the measures were baseline statutory targets they could be adjusted as needed; and as for resources they were split across various departments and was already ongoing work. Members also raised concerns about excessive emissions from building activities and would like a comprehensive statement on this.

Decision:

That Cabinet agreed the adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2028.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

The Air Quality Action Plan is required as part of the Council’s statutory duty within the Local Air Quality Management framework.

Other Options for Action:

To not endorse the adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan. This would result in a delay in meeting our statutory duties.