Agenda item

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 8) which provided information that would allow for a policy decision to inform the Committee of the submission of the annual air quality reports for the three local authorities. The reports attached to this agenda covered monitoring data and action plan progress for the calendar year 2018.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Principal Officer – Policy and Governance) explained that Annual Status Reports (ASRs) had been submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These reports showed a continued reduction of air pollution levels.

DEFRA had since provided feedback on work conducted to date, the progress being made and where further work was necessary. Full appraisals were provided for each local authority and these were appended to the report. Overall, air pollution levels had not been exceeded in any locations. These locations would continue to be monitored.

The importance of the Partnership’s work with other services, i.e. Highways, was highlighted.

Suzanne McLaughlin highlighted that the key consideration of this monitoring and the different locations was the impact on public health. Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) were identified in the maps included in each local authority’s report. The air quality of an AQMA was reported as an annual average. The location of monitoring devices was a difficulty in some cases. If they were not ideally placed then calculations would have to be adjusted. DEFRA could recommend an alternative location if they felt locations were not suitable.

Councillor Hilary Cole felt that positive reports and comments had been received from DEFRA.

Councillor John Porter agreed. He drew attention to initiatives to improve air quality on the A322 in Bracknell such as a reduction in engines idling. Efforts were also ongoing to improve traffic flow in Crowthorne High Street.

Councillor Parry Batth was pleased to note that pollution levels were decreasing. A reduction in traffic idling in Twyford was an ongoing piece of work. Enforcement measures could be implemented to help combat idling.

Suzanne McLaughlin clarified that pollution concerns were all related to traffic. There were no other pollution concerns, i.e. from industry.

Sean Murphy (Public Protection Manager) explained that a report had been produced which looked to combat idling. Work on this included analysing the measures deployed in other areas. This report could be presented to the JPPC in due course.

Councillor Hilary Cole referred to the introduction of electric vehicles which would help to reduce pollution levels over time. She queried if the use of electric vehicles was being monitored across the Partnership and beyond. Suzanne McLaughlin confirmed that this information was being collated.

Councillor Hilary Cole asked officers to ensure that reports were produced on the new template in order to achieve consistency.

RESOLVED that:

·         The contents of the report and the three separate Air Quality Annual Status reports be noted.

·         Feedback from DEFRA on the reports be noted.

·         Progress on the measures to improve air quality set out in each report be noted.

·         The ongoing and planned future measures to improve air quality set out in each report be approved.