Agenda item

To inform the Joint Public Protection Committee (JPPC) of the submission and results of the annual air quality reports for Bracknell Forest (BFC) and West Berkshire Councils (WBC) and to note that the annual air quality report for Wokingham Borough Council has also been submitted and the results received and passed on to them.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 7) which informed Members of the submission and results of the annual air quality reports for Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) and West Berkshire Council (WBC). These reports were for the monitoring data and action plan progress for the calendar year 2022.

The report also informed the Committee that the annual air quality report for Wokingham Borough Council had been submitted. The results had been received and passed to Wokingham Borough in accordance with the shared service arrangements effective from 1 April 2022.

Suzanne McLaughlin explained that work and monitoring took place on an ongoing basis. This showed improvements across the three local authority areas.

Councillor Guy Gillbe queried progress with the action plan for Crowthorne and the challenges being faced in trying to improve air quality in that area.

Suzanne McLaughlin clarified that the action plan covered all Bracknell Forest. The progress being made was captured within the status report. The data showed traffic levels as the primary cause of air pollution. Actions were being progressed with colleagues in both local authorities as part of Local Transport Plans. These included active travel, transport planning and work with Public Health.

Councillor Phil Barnett welcomed the improvements being made. He queried if certain vehicles exacerbated the situation. Suzanne McLaughlin advised that the vehicle mix was a consideration, i.e. HGVs or LGVs. Data was not collected on whether a vehicle was diesel, petrol or electric. Councillor Barnett felt this could be a point for officers to consider in future.

RESOLVED that:

·       The contents of the Air Quality Annual Status Reports for BFC and WBC be noted.

·       The feedback on the reports from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) be noted.

·       Consultation would take place for the potential revocation of the BFC Bracknell Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and WBC Newbury and Thatcham AQMAs in accordance with the recommendations from DEFRA.

·       Progress made 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.

·       It be noted that the Air Quality Status Report produced by the Public Protection Partnership on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council had been submitted to DEFRA, feedback had been received, and both had been passed to the authority for processing under their governance arrangements.