Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability.]

Final Draft following public & statutory consultation on the Haringey Air Quality Action Plan 2018-22.  Agreement to become a designated authority to issue fixed penalty notices for stationary idling engine offences.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability introduced this report which provided an update on the final draft of the Haringey Air Quality Action Plan 2019-24, following public & statutory consultation. Cabinet's approval was sought for the Council to become a designated authority to issue fixed penalty notices for stationary idling engine offences.

The Cabinet Member noted the Air Quality Action Plan 2019-24 laid out the Council’s current and future ambitions to reduce air pollution. As, with much of London, improving air quality was a key priority in Haringey and in London because of the negative effect it had on residents health, particularly on older, disabled residents and our children. The air quality was particularly bad in the east of borough. The air quality agenda affects all aspects of the Council’s work and our activities go hand in hand with our commitments to combatting climate change, developing walking, cycling and the wider use of public transport.

In response to questions from Councillor Emery, the following information was provided:

• The Cabinet Member confirmed a follow up letter had been sent to the Secretary of State with regard to the joint letter previously sent by Haringey Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors calling for reform of the restrictive vehicle idling laws.
• The Cabinet Member informed that funding had been set aside in the next Capital Budget to fund new School Streets. Officers added that the School Streets action plan was being compiled would look to reduce children’s exposure to poor air quality.

Officers confirmed that the Central Government’s Clean Air Strategy 2019 will require the Council to monitor PM2.5. The reason why the Council has not been monitoring PM2.5 levels to date was because London in general was not considered to be breaching the levels that had been previously set by the EU. However, the Council will be monitoring and complying with the legislative requirements of the strategy surrounding PM2.5 by the deadlines within the policy paper. The date of  implementation  would be provided to Cllr Emery in  writing  by the Commercial EH & TS Manager.

RESOLVED

1. To consider the outcome of the consultation on the draft AQAP set out in Appendix A of the report and the Equality Impact Assessment screening tool set out in Appendix C.

2. To approve the revised Air Quality Action Plan 2019 - 24 in Appendix B; and

3. To approve the use of fixed penalty notices pursuant to the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 to sanction drivers who have committed a stationary idling offence.

Reasons for Decision

Air Quality Action Plan 2019-24

A copy of the amended AQAP following consultation is attached to this report as Appendix B. The consultation is summarised in section 7 below. The draft AQAP 2019-2024 has been developed with consideration to priority 3 – Place of the Borough Plan 2019-23, in that it will help to deliver an environment that is safe, clean, green and where people can lead active and healthy lives.

Like other London Boroughs, Haringey was declared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81