Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Regulatory Services and Community Safety

Purpose of report

This report provides Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on the air quality monitoring carried out across the district in 2021 and the air quality data obtained, the current district Air Quality Action Plan, and other air quality related matters. Air quality monitoring data shows significant air quality improvements over the last 5-year period in the air quality management areas of the District.

The Council’s Business Plan includes a specific commitment to “Work with partners to improve air quality” within the Supporting Environmental Sustainability priority.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To note the work undertaken by the Council and its partners in relation to air quality in the District and the 2021/22 air quality monitoring data.

Resolved

(1)          That the work undertaken by the Council and it partners in relation to air quality in the District and the 2021/22 air quality monitoring area be noted.

The Chairman welcomed the Assistant Director Regulatory Services and Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Officer to present an update on Air Quality across the district. 

The Assistant Director Regulatory Services and Environmental Protection had submitted a report which provided an update on the air quality monitoring carried out across the district in 2021 and the air quality data obtained, the current district Air Quality Action Plan, and other air quality related matters. Air quality monitoring data showed significant air quality improvements over the last 5-year period in the air quality management areas of the district. The Council’s Business Plan included a specific commitment to “Work with partners to improve air quality” within the Supporting Environmental Sustainability priority.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding Hennef Way in Banbury having a red status for Nitrogen Dioxide monitoring, the Environmental Protection Officer explained that the road was close to junction 9 of the M40 and was also a main route into Oxfordshire. A high number of HGVs used the road alongside private vehicles,  and this contributed to the higher levels.

With regard to post-covid monitoring levels, the Environmental Protection Officer explained that figures hadn’t increased much during 2021 when lockdowns ended, and people started travelling more. 

The Committee emphasised the need for planning policy to be an essential factor in improving air quality moving forward. The Committee also highlighted that the accumulation of planning developments had had a significant impact on the level of emissions in the community. In response officers explained that that there were requirements in planning policy documents regarding air quality, and these were reflected in the air quality management plans. When planning applications were submitted for areas close to or impacting on an existing air quality monitoring area, an air quality impact assessment was requested.

The Environmental Protection Officer added that consideration of the cumulative impact of new developments would be an area of discussion for the Climate Action Working Group. 

Resolved

(1)          That the work undertaken by the Council, and it partners in relation to air quality in the district and the 2021/22 air quality monitoring area be noted.