Issue - meetings

To seek approval of the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) February 2023 and draft Clean Air Strategy for Waverley (CAS) February 2023, prior to submitting the AQAP to Defra for approval.

Recommendation

The Executive recommend that Council adopt the draft updated AQAP February 2023 and draft CAS February 2023, which align with the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy (CCSS), the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) and the work underway on the Farnham Infrastructure Plan (FIP).

101.1   The Leader moved the recommendation to adopt the updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and Clean Air Strategy (CAS), which was duly seconded by Cllr Peter Clark.

101.2   Cllr Steve Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, introduced the report and AQAP and CAS, outlining the lengthy process that had been followed by officers working with consultants and councillors on the Air Quality Steering Group and Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He was happy that the AQAP went as far as was possible given that highways matters were the main barrier to improving air quality in the borough, and that was a Surrey County Council responsibility. Cllr Williams noted that the AQAP specifically addressed air quality issues in the designated Air Quality Management Areas. The Executive considered that the statutory requirements for AQAPs were insufficient to address air quality issues across the borough and a Clean Air Strategy for the whole borough was needed that recognised the greater public concern about the public health impacts of poor air quality. Cllr Williams was pleased to commend both the AQAP and CAS to Council for adoption.

101.3   Cllr Seaborne expressed disappointment that the AQAP and CAS had been presented as a package rather than as separate documents. The AQAP was a statutory requirement, and he was happy to support its adoption. The CAS was discretionary and the format had been chosen by officers, and it contained a list of actions without costings, quantified indicative benefits, or prioritisation to direct resources. Whilst the objectives were laudable, the strategy didn’t point towards a more detailed plan of actions. Cllr Seaborne was prepared to support the recommendation to adopt the AQAP and CAS, but he felt the CAS could have been a much better document.

101.4   Cllr Neale appreciated the amount of work that had gone into the AQAP but had concerns that responsibility for actions effectively were being passed to Surrey County Council to deliver via the Farnham Infrastructure Plan, and he did not have the sense that the county council recognised the urgency of taking action.

101.5   Cllr Hyman reminded Members that the Council had a statutory duty to prepare an AQAP and that must have specific measures to reduce exceedances. In his view the AQAP was a plan to have a plan in 6 months when the final plans emerging from the Farnham Infrastructure Plan had been agreed by Surrey County Council. Currently, there were no specific proposals and no specific funding identified for the Farnham Infrastructure Plan. By agreeing the AQAP as proposed, Waverley was giving up its power to agree the actions within the AQAP that would reduce the air quality exceedances in Farnham.

101.6   Cllr Hyman proposed an amendment to the recommendation to ensure that proposals from the Farnham Infrastructure Plan had to be approved by Waverley Borough Council so that the Council retained responsibility for the AQAP. Cllr Hyman proposed amending the recommendation by adding the words: “…subject to the Highways Authority’s awaited particular measures for Farnham Town Centre  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101

To review feedback from the public consultation and consider the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) February 2023 for the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and draft Clean Air Strategy for Waverley (CAS) February 2023.

To seek approval of the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) February 2023 and draft Clean Air Strategy for Waverley (CAS) February 2023, prior to submitting the AQAP to Defra for approval.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Executive note the feedback from the public consultation, and recommend that Council adopt the draft updated AQAP February 2023 and draft CAS February 2023, which align with the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy (CCSS), the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) and the work underway on the Farnham Infrastructure Plan (FIP).

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan, February 2023, and the draft Clean Air Strategy, February 2023, be adopted.

Reason: To approve the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan, February 2023, and the draft Clean Air Strategy, February 2023, prior to submitting the Air Quality Action Plan to DEFRA for approval.

[This matter is recommended to Council for decision.]

Cllr Steve Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, introduced the updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and the new Clean Air Strategy for Waverley. An AQMA was required in any local authority where Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) had been designated. Waverley had two AQMAs, in Farnham and Godalming, and worked closely with partners, including Surrey County Council as the Highway Authority, to address the root problems to improve air quality in these areas.

In addition to the AQAP, a new Clean Air Strategy for Waverley had been developed with the help of consultants, addressing air quality across the borough. The Strategy had been consulted on widely, and the final version incorporated much of what had been raised through the consultation process.

Cllr Hyman had registered to speak on this item. He noted that he felt his own consultation response had been misrepresented in the summary of responses annexed to the documents. He also felt that the AQAP did not fulfil the statutory requirements of an air quality action plan, as it was not sufficiently specific about the measures and timelines to address air quality issues.

Cllr Williams advised that the AQAP and Clean Air Strategy would be going back to Overview & Scrutiny Committee for final comments before consideration by Council. He recognised that not all actions were funded but identifying the need for such actions was often a requirement for seeking funding. Cllr Williams reiterated the expert assistance from consultants in developing the Strategy, and the extensive consultation. It was also noted that the Council’s AQAP would be submitted to DEFRA for approval and confirmation that it met legal requirements.

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan, February 2023, and the draft Clean Air Strategy, February 2023, be adopted.

Reason: To approve the draft updated Air Quality Action Plan, February 2023, and the draft Clean Air Strategy, February 2023, prior to submitting the Air Quality Action Plan to DEFRA for approval.