Issue - meetings

This report sets out, for consideration and approval, the Executive’s response to the recommendations from the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group.

NOTED the comments from Councillors Stephens and Nerva welcoming the report and positive commitments within the draft Executive response, on which progress would continue to be monitored.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the draft Executive Response to the Air Quality Scrutiny Reportand recommendations of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Krupa Sheth, introduced the report setting out the Executive’s response to the recommendations from the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, welcomed Councillor Tom Stephens to the meeting who had requested to speak as Chair of the Air Quality Scrutiny Task Group.  Councillor Stephens welcomed the report and positive commitments within the draft Executive response, on which he was keen to ensure progress continued to be monitored.  Particular issues highlighted for consideration, once normal business had resumed following the restrictions in relation to Covid 19, included the lobbying for external funding support and to support adoption of the World Health Organisation guidelines; the monitoring of areas outside the Ultra-Low Emission Zones and consideration of the introduction of Low Emission Zones in areas identified as being negatively impacted; the commitment to Healthy Streets being included within the Council’s core strategies and transport plans and further roll out of the Schools Streets programme.  In summing up Councillor Stephens took the opportunity to thank the Executive for its response, and reiterate his thanks to all the officers, members and others who had contributed to this scrutiny inquiry.

Additional comments were also received from Councillor Nerva who welcomed the report and commitments set out within the draft response, highlighting the importance of air quality in relation to public health especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.

In response to the comments raised Councillor Krupa Sheth thanked all those involved in the Task Group for their effort.  The importance of tackling air quality had been recognised as priority with the measures and commitments outlined within the draft response being co-ordinated alongside the Climate Emergency Action Plan.  There would, however, be a need to ensure this was tackled on a partnership basis by all stakeholders across both the public and private sector with the impact on public health also fully recognised as the response was further developed.

Having considered the comments received, Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the draft Executive Response to the Air Quality Scrutiny Reportand recommendations of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee.