The Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 3 August 2026. The meeting's agenda includes the annual business of the committee, such as appointing a chair and noting membership, as well as an update on the GM Clean Air Plan.

GM Clean Air Plan - June 2026 Update

A significant item on the agenda is an update on the GM Clean Air Plan - June 2026 Update. This report, presented by Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, GM Lead Member for Clean Air, will summarise the progress made in delivering the investment-led, non-charging plan. Discussions are expected to cover the electrification of bus fleets, local traffic management measures, the distribution of funds through the Hackney Support Fund, and the removal of Clean Air Zone signage. The report will also address the transfer of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera responsibility to Greater Manchester Police, the latest air quality monitoring data, and adaptive planning measures designed to support compliance in 2026. Financial expenditure on the plan up to the end of March 2026 will also be reviewed.

The report notes that the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), which previously oversaw the national NO₂ programme, has now transitioned its responsibilities to Defra and the Department for Transport. However, Greater Manchester remains subject to legal directions and ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements.

Monitoring data from 2025 indicates a continued reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exceedances compared to previous years, with significant improvements observed since 2019. Despite this progress, a small number of locations still require targeted intervention to ensure compliance in 2026. The report highlights that for the first time in 2025, no Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) exceedances of the NO₂ annual mean objective were recorded across Greater Manchester.

The agenda also includes a section on Adaptive Planning, which is described as a structured, evidence-led process used within the GM Clean Air Plan to assess locations where nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations are at or close to the legal compliance threshold. ¹ This process involves detailed analysis of monitoring data, traffic conditions, and local factors, followed by engagement with local authorities and the government to identify any necessary, proportionate interventions. The focus is on optimising existing infrastructure, such as signal timings and bus operations, rather than introducing new large-scale schemes. Specific locations in Manchester and Stockport are identified for potential adaptive planning measures.

The report will also detail the overall financial position, confirming that the programme is expected to be delivered within the approved central government funding envelope of £188.4 million.

Terms of Reference

The committee will also consider the GM Air Quality Administration Committee Terms of Reference. These terms outline the committee's role in the joint discharge of functions related to air quality under the Environment Act 1995 and the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan. The committee is a joint committee established by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Membership of the Committee

The meeting will also note the membership of the Committee for 2026/2027. This includes representatives from each of the ten Greater Manchester districts: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan, alongside Councillor Eamonn O'Brien representing the GMCA.