Agenda item

Resolved: That:-

(a) The comments made in relation to the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan from Economy, Environment & Place Scrutiny Committee held on 12 November 2020 be received.

(b) The Outline Business Case for the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide exceedances, including technical addenda, as contained in Appendices C and D, be approved for submission to Government, in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Implementation of Measures for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2018 (the “2018 Direction”) and subsequent amendments by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

(c) Subject to approval of (b), Cabinet request a further report from the Head of Environmental Health Services in June 2021, setting out the Full Business Case, including the detailed costs and proposed funding bid to Government.

(d) Subject to approval of (b), that Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Operational Services alongside Portfolio Holder for Environment & Recycling to enter into a legal agreement with Staffordshire County Council (SCC) and Stoke-on-Trent City Council (SOTCC) to jointly submit the Full Business Case and deliver the preferred option in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Implementation of Measures for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2018 and subsequent amendments by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

(e) The Chief Executive be authorised to enter into a contract to complete the Full Business Case (and inform the Cabinet Member for Environment and Recycling), by direct award to the supplier for the delivery of the Outline Business Case for the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan.

(f) The progress made in relation to the delivery of the Ministerial

Direction requiring a bus retrofit scheme for busses operating on the A53 be noted.

(g) Cabinet supports an exemption for ultra-low emission vehicles to drive through the bus gate on the A53 Etruria Road and that this is in place from the implementation date.

(h) The Leader write to the local MP, A Bell, to request his support in urging the Government to reconsider the necessity for the works under the two ministerial directions due to the impact of Coronavirus on transport movements and air quality levels.

Councillor Johnson presented the Air Quality report which set out how the Council, along with Stoke on Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council, proposed to meet the legal requirements of two directives served under the provisions of The Environment Act 1995.  The directives required both councils to jointly investigate EU exceedances of nitrogen dioxide on roads and what measures could be introduced to achieve compliance.  In Newcastle under Lyme Borough there had been one exceedance and this was on the A53 Etruria Road between Victoria Street and Basford Park Road, the main route between Newcastle and Hanley.  The report outlined the preferred option which would see the introduction of a virtual bus gate limiting use by certain vehicles including cars during peak times.  Cabinet discussed making an exemption for low emission vehicles which was agreed; and seeking the support of the local MP regarding urging Government to reconsider the need for the action.  

The second directive required this Borough Council to implement a bus engine retrofit programme and progress with this was outlined in the report. 

Resolved: That:-

(a) The comments made in relation to the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan from Economy, Environment & Place Scrutiny Committee held on 12 November 2020 be received.

(b) The Outline Business Case for the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide exceedances, including technical addenda, as contained in Appendices C and D, be approved for submission to Government, in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Implementation of Measures for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2018 (the “2018 Direction”) and subsequent amendments by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

(c) Subject to approval of (b), Cabinet request a further report from the Head of Environmental Health Services in June 2021, setting out the Full Business Case, including the detailed costs and proposed funding bid to Government.

(d) Subject to approval of (b), that Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Operational Services alongside Portfolio Holder for Environment & Recycling to enter into a legal agreement with Staffordshire County Council (SCC) and Stoke-on-Trent City Council (SOTCC) to jointly submit the Full Business Case and deliver the preferred option in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Implementation of Measures for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2018 and subsequent amendments by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

(e) The Chief Executive be authorised to enter into a contract to complete the Full Business Case (and inform the Cabinet Member for Environment and Recycling), by direct award to the supplier for the delivery of the Outline Business Case for the North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan.

(f) The progress made in relation to the delivery of the Ministerial

Direction requiring a bus retrofit scheme for busses operating on the A53 be noted.

(g) Cabinet supports an exemption for low emission vehicles to drive through the bus gate on the A53 Etruria Road and that this is in place from the implementation date.

(h) The Leader write to the local MP, A Bell, to request his support in urging the Government to reconsider the necessity for the works under the two ministerial directions due to the impact of Coronavirus on transport movements and air quality levels.