Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

The report sets out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

This report is not seeking a decision on whether to introduce a scheme as that has been mandated by the Secretary of State. It is setting out a position for consultation on the daily charge, discounts and exemptions of a Category C GM Clean Air Zone, and the proposals for the supporting funds that have been developed taking stakeholder engagement and statistical modelling into account. It is seeking agreement to consult and endorsement of the policy for consultation. The policy will be reviewed in line with the findings from the statutory consultation.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1)       Note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

(2)       Note that TfGM have confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit should be distributed as soon as possible as per arrangements put in place for the Clean Bus Technology Funds;

(3)       Note the update on the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the GM Clean Air Plan;

(4)       Agree that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM local Authorities hold an 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan commencing in October 2020;

(5)       Note that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed Minimum Licensing Standards, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation;

(6)       Agree that TfGM act as the Operating Body for the GM CAZ and supporting measures as set out at paragraph 9.5;

(7)       Agree that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM Authorities individually be a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the CAZ, pursuant to the Transport Act 2000;

(8)       Endorse the GM Clean Air Plan Policy for Consultation at Appendix 3;

(9)       Note the Equalities Impact Assessment on the Clean Air Plan, as set out at Appendix 5;

(10)    Note that further reports will be brought forward to set out the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures, including the full scope of the suite of powers that will be  needed to be delegated to the Operating Body;

(11)    Agree a delegation to Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health to approve the submission of the cases for measures to the Government's Joint Air Quality Unit to support the GM Clean Air Plan;

(12)    Agree a delegation to Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health  to approve the GM Clean Air Plan consultation materials, to include the Equalities Impact Assessment on the consultation; and

(13)    Note that the response to DfT’s Decarbonising Transport – setting the challenge, as set out at Appendix 1, has been submitted to Government.

(14)    Note that the consultation sets the proposed boundary of the Clean Air Zone to exclude the A555 from the junction with the B5166 in the west to the junction with A523 in the east, as outlined at paragraph 4.17.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Adult Care & Health and Sustainable Stockport submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

RESOLVED – The Cabinet has:-

(1)       Noted the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

(2)       Noted that TfGM have confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit should be distributed as soon as possible as per arrangements put in place for the Clean Bus Technology Funds;

(3)       Noted the update on the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the GM Clean Air Plan;

(4)       Agreed that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM local Authorities hold n 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan commencing in October 2020;

(5)       Noted that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed Minimum Licensing Standards, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation;

(6)       Agreed that TfGM act as the Operating Body for the GM CAZ and supporting measures as set out at paragraph 9.5;

(7)       Agreed that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM Authorities individually be a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the CAZ, pursuant to the Transport Act 2000;

(8)       Endorsed the GM Clean Air Plan Policy for Consultation at Appendix 3;

(9)       Noted the Equalities Impact Assessment on the Clean Air Plan, as set out at Appendix 5;

(10)    Noted that further reports will be brought forward to set out the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures, including the full scope of the suite of powers that will be needed to be delegated to the Operating Body;

(11)    Agreed a delegation to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health to approve the submission of the cases for measures to the Government's Joint Air Quality Unit to support the GM Clean Air Plan;

(12)    Agreed a delegation to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health to approve the GM Clean Air Plan consultation materials, to include the Equalities Impact Assessment on the consultation; and

(13)    Noted that response to DfT’s Decarbonising Transport – setting the challenge, as set out at Appendix 1, has been submitted to Government.

(14)    Noted that the consultation sets the proposed boundary of the Clean Air Zone to exclude the A555 from the junction with the B5166 in the west to the junction with A523 in the east, as outlined at paragraph 4.17.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

To set out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the reductions in the daily charging rates for vehicles with the exception of taxis was still confusing as the taxi drivers were also experiencing difficulties themselves. In response, it was noted that the charges were reviewed to change behaviours and enforce the changes required to force people into cleaner vehicles.

·         It was commented that the clean air charging zone proposals had the potential to work to clean the air, but was there any way to write into law that there would be an end to the charges when the air was clean by meeting a specific identifiable standard. In response, it was noted that the clean air charge had a Government target and compliance by 2026 and that it was not a deterrent charge and the scheme would have an end date identified in 2026.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

To set out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as is reasonably practicable in light of Covid-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a Gm Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the Greater Manchester (GM) Local Authorities would move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as was reasonably practicable in light of Covid-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that would underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed how the common set of minimum licensing standards would be approved as it would require a change in legislation as current private hire operators could ply for hire in Stockport from areas outside Greater Manchester.

·         Concern was expressed that there were no proposals for a scrappage scheme.

·         Concern was expressed that roads maintained by Highways England, including the M60, were not included within the scope of the Clean Air Plan in the light of the fact that such roads were one of the biggest contributors to poor air quality in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

To set out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Consultations were planned to take place virtually and it was asked how this was planned to take place and fully engage residents.  In response it was stated that the consultation was being led by Transport for Greater Manchester and as many avenues as possible would be used to ensure that people were aware of the consultation.

·         There were 40 taxi charging points planned across Greater Manchester and it was queried how many of those would be introduced in Stockport.  In response it was stated that the focus would be on the town centre, and it was likely that these would be clustered around a single location because of the cost associated with introducing the required infrastructure.  Specifically it was stated that locations around New Bridge Lane and Stockport Station were being investigated and potentially in Hazel Grove.

·         It was stated that the charges associated with the GM Clean Air Zone would be paid to Transport for Greater Manchester to fund the costs associated with implementing the scheme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health (Councillor Jude Wells) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable in light of COVID-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be recommended to :-

(1) Note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

(2) Note that TfGM have confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit should be distributed as soon as possible as per arrangements put in place for the Clean Bus Technology Funds;

(3) Note the update on the possible impacts of COVID-19 on the GM Clean Air Plan;

(4) Agree that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM local Authorities hold n 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan commencing in October 2020;

(5) Note that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed Minimum Licensing Standards, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation;

(6) Agree that TfGM act as the Operating Body for the GM CAZ and supporting measures as set out at paragraph 9.5;

(7) Agree that Stockport Council along with the other nine GM Authorities individually be a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the CAZ, pursuant to the Transport Act 2000;

(8) Endorse the GM Clean Air Plan Policy for Consultation at Appendix 3;

(9 Note the Equalities Impact Assessment on the Clean Air Plan, as set out at Appendix 5;

(10) Note that further reports will be brought forward to set out the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures, including the full scope of the suite of powers that will be needed to be delegated to the Operating Body;

(11) Agree a delegation to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health to approve the submission of the cases for measures to the Government's Joint Air Quality Unit to support the GM Clean Air Plan;

(12) Agree a delegation to the Corporate Director of Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health and Director of Public Health to approve the GM Clean Air Plan consultation materials, to include the Equalities Impact Assessment on the consultation; and

(13) Note the response to DfT’s Decarbonising Transport – setting the challenge, as set out at Appendix 1, has been submitted to Government.

(14) Note that the consultation sets the proposed boundary of the Clean Air Zone to exclude the A555 from the junction with the B5166 in the west to the junction with A523 in the east, as outlined at paragraph 4.17.