Issue - meetings

The report details the latest air quality monitoring results for York and progress on achieving measures in York’s current Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP3) to deliver further improvements in air quality.  The report also seeks approval to refurbish our air quality monitoring stations using existing grant funding to ensure compliance with the Environment Act (2021) and DEFRA’s Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) requirements.

Resolved:

                          i.        Noted the content of the report and approved submission of the Annual Status Report to DEFRA. Noted the generally improving trend in air pollution in recent years, progress made with AQAP3 and plans to commence the work to update the current plan in line with the Environment Act 2021, to complement other key CYC strategies.

Reason:     To ensure that the Executive Member is aware of current air quality position in the city including exceedances of objectives in some areas, progress made with air quality improvement measures, and revised national air quality targets expected through the Environment Act 2021.

                        ii.        Approved the refurbishment to three air quality monitoring stations using existing DEFRA grant funding as outlined in this report.

Reason:   To ensure air quality monitoring equipment remains compliant with DEFRA guidance and suitable for ongoing monitoring in relation to current standards and new targets being introduced through the Environment Act 2021.

The Executive Member considered the report on York’s air quality annual status and air quality monitoring. It was confirmed with officers that the Council was not awaiting the creation of an action plan to deliver on a program of work to improve air quality, which would include the increase of electric vehicle usage in the city.

It was noted that air quality in the city continued to improve and the promotion of active travel should have a continued positive impact on air quality. It was confirmed that the city had 3 areas currently exceeding the health based annual mean NO2 objective of 40?g/m, however, Fishergate ward it was confirmed did not exceed these levels and had not for several years. The importance of continual air quality monitoring within the city was noted by the Executive Member who agreed to refurbish three air quality monitoring stations using existing DEFRA grant funding and following DEFRA guidance for their placement and use.

Resolved:

                          i.        Noted the content of the report and approved submission of the Annual Status Report to DEFRA. Noted the generally improving trend in air pollution in recent years, progress made with AQAP3 and plans to commence the work to update the current plan in line with the Environment Act 2021, to complement other key CYC strategies.

Reason:     To ensure that the Executive Member is aware of current air quality position in the city including exceedances of objectives in some areas, progress made with air quality improvement measures, and revised national air quality targets expected through the Environment Act 2021.

                        ii.        Approved the refurbishment to three air quality monitoring stations using existing DEFRA grant funding as outlined in this report.

Reason:   To ensure air quality monitoring equipment remains compliant with DEFRA guidance and suitable for ongoing monitoring in relation to current standards and new targets being introduced through the Environment Act 2021.