Issue - meetings

To present Cabinet with the report and recommendations from the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group.

NOTED the deputation received from Mark Falcon (representing Clear Air for Brent) and additional comments made by Councillor Nerva in relation to the report.

Following its introduction by Councillor Stephens (as Chair of the Scrutiny Task Group) Cabinet RESOLVED that the Air Quality Scrutiny Report and recommendations be noted.

The Cabinet noted the deputation received from the representative of Clear Air for Brent, Mark Falcon and additional comments made by, Councillor Neil Nerva in relation to the report. Both commended the task group report and the work of the task group members. Councillor Neil Nerva highlighted the issue or air quality around Wembley Stadium, especially on event days.  He encouraged the relevant Cabinet Members to take the lead with the Football Association, Wembley Park and other stakeholders in tackling the issue of air quality on event days.

The Chair of the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group, Councillor Tom Stephens, introduced the report and recommendations from the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group.

Councillor Stephens stated that in July 2019, the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee established a task group to look into air quality in the borough.  He advised that after six months of work, it was a pleasure to present the results of the investigations along with recommendations on what more it was felt the Council needs to do to improve air quality in Brent.

Councillor Tom Stephens ended his introduction by expressing his thanks to all those who had devoted their time and energy to the work of the task group, including the many officers in Brent Council who had supported its work and the many witnesses who had gone out of their way to provide evidence to the inquiry. Councillor Stephens also thanked Clean Air for Brent and Brent Cycling Campaign, who had served on the task group.

Councillors Muhammed Butt, Krupa Sheth, Tom Miller, Margaret McLennan, Shama Tatler and Eleanor Southwood, also contributed to the discussion congratulating Councillor Stephens and task group members for the piece of work.

Councillor Butt (as Leader of the Council) ended by also thanking everyone who had contributed to the work of the task group and stated that a full response to the report’s recommendations from the Cabinet Member for Environment would follow.

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the Air Quality Scrutiny Report and recommendations.