Agenda item

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

The report sets out the progress that has been made following the Government’s response to Greater Manchester’s Outline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside and the implications for the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities in relation to the schedule of work and statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan.

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 or Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made following the Government’s response to Greater Manchester’s Outline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside and the implications for the ten Greater Manchester local authorities in relation to the schedule of work and their statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The plan could be more ambitious if the Council had greater control over the emitters, for example the M60 and Manchester Airport.
• Members expressed concern about the different approach expected of Highways England with regard to clean air compared to local authorities
• Government funding existed for the production of clean air plans, but discussion remained to be had about the quantum of funding.
• The Greater Manchester Combined Authority was awaiting guidance from the Government as to when the plan would go out for consultation on its detail.
• Clean air grants were currently given to bus operators and there already existed buses with reduced carbon emissions.
• A Member enquired whether there was any data on where people lived who presented themselves to Accident and Emergency Departments with respiratory problems. It was pointed out that people may, of course, work in a different place to where they lived so analysing this data may be problematic.
• An increase in the number of visits to hospitals as a result of respiratory problems could lead to more car journeys.
• Members expressed concern about the limited penalties available for vehicle idling and enquired if there was anything more the Council could do to deter motorists from doing so. The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health advised that she had been a co-signatory to a letter from the Greater Manchester Local Authorities to the Secretary of State for Transport asking him to bring forward the launch of the public consultation on this issue.
• The number of electric charging points being included in development applications was not enough to cater for the anticipated move to electric vehicles in the future. The technology for the disposal of batteries needed to be developed as well.
• Work was taking place in schools to advocate greener modes of transport, for example training on road safety, cycle training and pedestrian training.
• The charges incurred by small businesses could be prohibitive for them and was an issue that needed exploring.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.