Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, The Executive Member is asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests.

The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests she might have in respect of the business on the agenda. None were declared.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at remote meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Monday 6 June 2022.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill out an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact the relevant Democracy Officer, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

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During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been three registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. However, one speaker was unable to attend the meeting and gave their apologies.

Katherine Crocker raised concerns about levels of pollution in Fishergate Ward and across the city. She asked that the Council focus on continued improvements to air quality even above objectives set by government. She also asked that the Council set its ambitions beyond proposing residents move to electric vehicles as these had an environmental and air pollution cost, to a less traffic intensive city.

Geoff Beacon discussed the health problems created or exacerbated by pollution levels in the city, he noted concerns that respiratory issues as a result of Covid-19 would increase the risk of effects from air pollution on individuals. He asked that the Council reconsider some of the locations of air quality monitoring as they were not in his opinion, representative of the pollution breathed by the population. 

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 11 May 2022.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 11 May 2022 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

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.

In April 2022, the Government published a consultation regarding the proposals to re-classify disposal arrangements for ‘DIY waste’ at household waste recycling centres (HWRC’s).  This report sets out  the City of York Council response to the DEFRA consultation (as set out in Appendix A).

Reason: In order to provide a response to the DEFRA Consultation on Disposal of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres.

Resolved:

                      i.         Approved the City of York Council response to the

DEFRA consultation (as set out in Appendix A).

Reason:     In order to provide a response to the DEFRA Consultation on Disposal of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres.

Officers introduced the report on the DEFRA consultation on the disposal of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres and the proposed response from the Council outlined in appendix A.

Concerns were discussed with the Executive Member regarding the proposed changes to the disposal of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres Officers deemed the proposed changes would be hard to implement and would likely prove less cost effective to implement for the Council. It was also noted that the changes could encourage traders push the burden of building waste removal onto households. The Executive Member agreed with the concerns of officers and added that they could lead to more fly tipping and a larger environmental impact with more journeys in smaller vehicles transporting DIY waste. Therefore the Executive Member approved the proposed response at appendix A to the consultation.

Resolved:

                      i.         Approved the City of York Council response to the

DEFRA consultation (as set out in Appendix A).

Reason:     In order to provide a response to the DEFRA Consultation on Disposal of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres.