Issue - meetings

That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, be authorised to enter into a contract with First Potteries Ltd to:-

(i)            Secure the retrofit of exhaust abatement technology to 25 buses and the replacement of hydraulic fan systems to 18 of these buses with electrically driven fan systems to ensure that buses operating on the A53 Etruria Road achieve compliance with Euro 6 emissions standards.

(ii)            Jointly promote the benefits of using the Euro 6 complaint buses to further reduce traffic related roadside N0₂ levels.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking the approval of the awarding of a contract for the retrofit of buses operated by First Potteries Ltd to bring them up to Euro 6 emission standards.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson advised that a lot of work had been carried out over the last 18 months and he was delighted to bring forward concrete action to address the air quality issue.

The Leader stated that this was the start of a number of actions that needed to be taken in response to the ministerial direction. Funding would be provided by a government grant. This was a good start on the air quality journey to address air quality issues, to try and avoid a clear air zone by introducing other measures. The Council was now waiting for the Government to provide further information on other elements of the scheme required to meet direction requirements.

Councillor Maxfield stated that this was strongly positive with air quality and climate change linked adding that this was an important step.

The Policy was endorsed by Councillor Sweeney as everyone in the Borough deserved to breathe clean air.

Resolved:     That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio

Holder for Environment and Recycling, be authorised to enter

into a contract with First Potteries Ltd to:-

(i)            Secure the retrofit of exhaust abatement technology to 25

 buses and the replacement of hydraulic fan systems to 18 of these buses with electrically driven fan systems to ensure that buses operating on the A53 Etruria Road achieve compliance with Euro 6 emissions standards.

(ii)           Jointly promote the benefits of using the Euro 6 complaint

buses to further reduce traffic related roadside N02 levels.