Agenda item

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability submitted a report that presented to members the final draft version of the Air Quality Action Plan for East Hertfordshire following public and stakeholder consultation. He commented on the linkages between improving air quality and improving health outcomes.

Members were referred to the data regarding air quality within the three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said that since September, an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for East Herts had been produced and this could be seen at Appendix A.

A public and stakeholder consultation exercise had been undertaken and the analysis of this consultation was attached at Appendix B. The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said that within the three AQMAs, the main contributing factor was vehicles and diesel cars were the main source of air pollution.

Members were advised that the action plan needed to be an active and evolving document throughout the next five years. There had been a 6-week consultation period which was in line with the DEFRA code of practice and there been 189 responses of which 182 had been from the public and seven from statutory consultees.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said that several changes had been made following the consultation responses. He said that the Council had tempered the language which was used in the AQAP regarding Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) from exploring implementation to exploring the potential pros and cons of this.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability concluded that the draft AQAP focussed on making best use of the council’s limited resources and tried to target the actions which could have the most significant impact on the three AQMAs. He said that the council would continue to work with key partners to undertake as wide a range of activities as was possible to improve air quality. Members were reminded that lots of the options for controlling and influencing air quality lay outside of the control of the council.

Councillor Buckmaster referred to the complexity of the issue of air quality. He commented on the statutory duties of East Herts Council regarding monitoring and action plans and Hertfordshire County Council in terms of the public health focus.

Councillor Buckmaster said that discussions between the two councils should continue and there was a Hertfordshire County Council seminar in Stevenage planned for 29 February, which was for county and district members to attend. He said that this was nearly fully subscribed but was a good forum to have. He emphasised the importance of common branding in terms of joined up thinking.

Councillor Buckmaster said that jointly across the county and the district, members and officers should consider what the vital outcomes were in terms of output. He talked about getting people to change behaviours in terms of anti-idling and wood burning stoves. He said that county council members had access to budgets for interventions to try to influence behaviour.

Councillor Buckmaster said that there should be a forum where all members could work together and there were also Section 106 agreements from housing developments which provided funding sources. He talked about the available funding being used to make it easier for people to walk to school by introducing drop kerbs and pedestrian crossings in the right places.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability emphasised the importance of measurement in terms of the cause and effect of initiatives. He said that the action plan had to include a heightened level of measurement. He talked about the option of having real time air quality measurement for Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Sawbridgeworth.

Councillor Clements commented that there had been no responses from local MPs in the area. He referred to the importance of public behaviour and talked about the need for action from central government and the local MPs to raise the profile of issues such as moving away from diesel vehicles.

Councillor Horner emphasised the importance of overcoming scepticism from the public and getting them to embrace and buy into the action plan and the agenda in respect of air quality. He talked about “on demand” public transport and school travel plans in AQMA areas. He referred to the matrix of journeys through the Hockerill junction to schools across the whole of Bishop’s Stortford.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability talked about the importance of joined up thinking to ensure the best possible outcomes. He said that this would go some way to help reduce the scepticism or cynicism.

Councillor Nicholls talked about reductions in pollution following the introduction of road safety measures such as default 20 mph speed limits. She referred to measures introduced in Edinburgh, London, Paris and Wales.

Councillor McAndrew said that another good thing to include would be the secondment of an officer to Uttlesford District Council to assist them with their Taxi Licensing Policy. He talked about the work being undertaken with the 10 district councils in Hertfordshire regarding taxi licensing policies resembling the policies in place at East Herts.

Councillor Buckmaster said that whilst NOx levels were coming down to 2030 as more people used electric vehicles, particulates and carbon emissions would not change. He said that the action plan would have to adapt over time due to the difficulties in measurement. He made the point about the stress caused by congestion and the emphasis on the huge difference that could be made by getting rid of diesel cars and diesel commercial vehicles.

Councillor McAndrew talked about the inclusion of numbers of electric vehicles in the report and he said the new legislation regarding electric vehicles should also be in the report. Councillor Andrews talked about the impact of HGVs and drastic action that might need to be taken regarding how towns in East Herts would cope with them.

Councillor Watson commented on whether there would be sufficient monitoring of PM2.5 pollution and also monitoring of different traffic flows and changes to traffic patterns which might cause new areas of concern. Councillor Andrews talked about the importance of raising awareness of the need for behaviour change in the public domain about air quality as part of the action plan.

Councillor Carter asked if real time pollution data could also be included on information made available to the public in respect of air quality. She asked for and was given some clarity regarding the pollution figures for the West Street/Gascoyne Way junction in Hertford.

Councillor Thomas asked about what more could be done beyond involving trading standards to ensure compliance in respect of the burning of domestic fuels. He also commented on buses moving up Welwyn Road with vehicle exhaust being emitted at head height of children using the pavement.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability talked about the work taking place in respect of the regulations regarding the burning of solid fuels. He referred to the ‘Clear the Air’ campaign. Councillor Buckmaster said that particulates from fossil fuel burning at home was far greater than the emissions from transport. He referred to 24 January 2024 as being a clean air night.

Councillor Swainston asked if there was any data from the NHS in respect of respiratory illness that could be incorporated into the action plan as a way of getting more people engaged. Councillor Williams mentioned the exploration of on street bike parking being expanded for people coming to work in town centres.

The Head of Housing and Health confirmed, following an enquiry from Councillor Holt, that the action plan would always be looked at and refined and updated online. Councillor Buckmaster commented on housing growth and the impact in terms of HGVs and extensive road works. He referred to the M11 roadworks and housing developments in the Gilston area and Ware north and east and other housing development in Hertford.

Councillor McAndrew made a number of observations in respect of Appendix I and the need for what he believed could be more ambitious timelines, in respect of the following:

·               Exploring emissions-based parking charges

·               Explore last mile delivery,

·               Install additional anti idling guidance,

·               Review effectiveness of travel plans for schools and businesses,

·               Continued adherence to sustainability SPD and air quality neutral policies. Parking SPD and District Plan review,

·               Create sustainable design and construction codes,

·               Support expansion of Herts Lynx,

·               Potential implementation on foot streets in central Hertford,

·               Develop personalised travel planning for residents,

·               Active travel campaign (working with schools and businesses),

·               Create East Herts Council workplace travel plans for staff,

Councillor McAndrew mentioned that HCCSP (Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership) had two 2 relevant strategic action plans regarding behaviour change and sustainable transport.

Councillor Andrews talked about ensuring that policies were not anti-car as people would always need cars. He talked about the importance of challenging perceptions and educating people in the use of hybrid vehicles. The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said that the focus would not be anti-car and the focus would be on ensuring that opportunities to not use cars were taken.

Councillor Nicholls said that people were on board with the messages in respect of seeing less traffic in their area. She said that she believed one of the worst places for pollution was inside the vehicle. She mentioned the importance of roadside messaging and behaviour change.

Councillor Andrews mentioned the importance of latching on to messages being put out by organisations to encourage deliveries being brought together. He referred to the collection of goods from central locations such as lockers at supermarkets.

Councillor McAndrew emphasised the importance of adequate resources being made available to move this action plan forwards.

Councillor Nicholls proposed and Councillor McAndrew seconded, a motion that Overview and Scrutiny have considered the draft Air Quality Action Plan and Members’ comments be passed to the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability for consideration, prior to presentation of the Air Quality Action Plan to the Executive.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – having considered the draft Air Quality Action Plan, Members’ comments be passed to the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability for consideration, prior to presentation of the Air Quality Action Plan to the Executive.