Minutes:
4.1 The Leader of the Council invited Councillor Heather Acton, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Licensing) to present the report.
4.2 Councillor Acton then introduced the report and welcomed the detailed feedback that had been received from the consultees. . She stated that the proposals marked the first steps to more ambitious plans to improve air quality in Westminster. In light of this, she suggested the following amendments to the recommendations in the report:
Deletion of the last sentence of recommendation 2.1 and the additional following recommendation:
To adopt the draft quality plan as consulted upon whilst taking further steps to develop a more ambitious plan in order to achieve our stated objective of carbon neutrality by 2040 in light of our declaration of a climate emergency.
4.3 Councillor Tim Mitchell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, welcomed the initial steps to improve air quality.
4.4 Councillor David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, also welcomed the proposals and felt that this represented an opportunity to improve homes as well as air quality.
4.5 Councillor Melvyn Caplan, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration, commented that the proposals would have a positive effect on regeneration and in helping to build better homes in Westminster.
4.6 Councillor Andrew Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, and Councillor Timothy Barnes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, both indicated their support for the proposals.
4.7 The Leader of the Council welcomed the report and supported the recommendations as amended.
4.8 RESOLVED:
1. That the consultation responses received be noted.
2. That the Air Quality Action Plan 2019-2024, as consulted on, be adopted subject to the Greater London Authority first providing formal agreement of it; and that, once given, the Action Plan is to be reviewed within five years as required.
3. That further steps be taken to develop a more ambitious plan in order to achieve the Council’s stated objective of carbon neutrality by 2040 in light of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency.
4. That stakeholders be informed that the Council will begin now to further investigate options for the next Air Quality Action Plan in light of the changed circumstances under which the new Air Quality Action Plan will operate.
Reasons for Decision:
1. The COVID-19 pandemic and the expectations for how the city will operate following the lifting of the current lockdown means that the council’s Air Quality Action Plan will operate in largely changed circumstances to those envisaged by the draft version of the Action Plan that went to public consultation.
2. As a result, it is recommended that the Council proceed to implement the draft Air Quality Action Plan which has been consulted on and then, anytime within the next five years, consider the need to review and then implement any new Air Quality Action Plan to reflect the new reality arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The measured reductions in traffic and pollution levels across the city as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown are one indication of the changed circumstances under which any further Air Quality Action Plan will operate. The policy implications of how the city will operate post lockdown are also being reviewed across all directorates of the Council.
3. In the meantime, the Council wishes to acknowledge the many helpful and informed responses made by residents, businesses and other stakeholders to the public consultation and, once agreement of the Greater London Authority has been received, the current draft Air Quality Action Plan will be implemented