Purpose

The report seeks approval to adopt the Clean Air Strategy and the Local Air Quality Targets for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter across all wards.

Decision

1. To adopt the Clean Air Strategy district wide.
2. To adopt the proposed local annual average air quality targets across the district for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, as defined in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 – PROPOSED LOCAL ANNUAL AVERAGE AIR QUALITY TARGET FOR B&NES

Pollutant

By 2030

By 2035

NO2

20 µG/M3

10 µG/M3

PM10

20 µG/M3

15 µG/M3

PM2.5

10 µG/M3

5 µG/M3

  µG/M3 – MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE

1. To agree that progress against the Clean Air Strategy and local annual average air quality targets will be monitored and reported through the Council’s annual air quality reporting arrangements.
2. To delegate authority to the Director of Place Management in consultation with Cabinet Member to implement and make changes to the Clean Air Strategy.

Reasons for the decision

Whilst areas across the district have achieved compliance with current UK objectives for nitrogen dioxide and remain below the current UK objective for particulate matter, there remains clear evidence that there is no safe level of air pollution. The Council is therefore seeking to go beyond minimum statutory compliance by adopting a district-wide Clean Air Strategy and local air quality targets. These targets are intended to guide future policy, monitoring and partnership action to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve health outcomes for residents and visitors, particularly children, older people and  those with existing health conditions.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Do nothing / do not adopt a Clean Air Strategy

This option was rejected. While the Council is currently meeting UK air quality objectives, doing nothing would not reflect the evidence that there is no safe level of air pollution and would not provide a clear district-wide framework for continued improvement. It could also weaken public confidence as AQMAs are revoked and reduce the Council’s ability to respond proactively to future air quality issues.

Option 2: Adopt a Clean Air Strategy without local air quality targets

This option was considered but rejected. A strategy without local targets would provide a general framework for action but would not give a clear measure of ambition or enable transparent monitoring of progress over time.

Option 3: Adopt the Clean Air Strategy and local air quality targets

This is the recommended option. It provides a clear district-wide policy framework, sets a transparent level of ambition, supports public health outcomes and enables progress to be monitored and reported. The proposed targets are local policy targets and do not create additional statutory objectives. Any future expenditure required to support delivery will be subject to normal budget-setting and approval processes.