Agenda and decisions

To approve them minutes of the meeting held on the 25 August 2020

Lead Member for Planning and Sustainable Development.

Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet)

I, Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor, in consultation with the Cabinet and in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve:

The report dated 8 September 2020 titled ‘Consultation on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan: Tackling Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside’, and the specific Officer recommendations therein:

That Salford City Council:

1. Holds an 8-week public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan (GM CAP) commencing October 2020, along with the other GM local Authorities;
2. Endorses the GM CAP Policy for consultation as set out in Appendix 5 of the report;
3. Becomes a ‘charging authority’ for the purposes of the GM Clean Air Zone (GM CAZ), pursuant to the Transport Act 2000, along with the other GM authorities.
4. Agrees that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) act as the Operating Body for the GM CAZ and supporting measures as set out in paragraph 9.4;
5. Agrees that the Strategic Director - Place, be delegated to approve:
   1. the submission of the Cases for Measures to the Government's Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) to support the GM CAP; and  
   2. the GM CAP consultation materials, including the Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the consultation.

The Reasons are: Progress continues to be made towards developing a Charging Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester; the undertaking of a statutory public consultation (as soon as reasonably practicable) – is a key Government requirement. 

Options considered and rejected were:Not applicable.

Assessment of Risk: Low

The source of funding is: Assumed to be Government funded - £36m received to date for the Charging Clean Air Zone and £41m for Clean Vehicle Funds.

Legal Advice obtained: Sian Roxborough, City Solicitor.

Financial Advice obtained: Joanne Hardman, Chief Finance Officer. 

Procurement Advice obtained: There are no specific procurement implications arising from this update report.

HR Advice obtained: Not applicable.

Climate Change Advice obtained: The implementation of the GM CAP will have a positive effect on climate change and it will improve the air quality in Salford and Greater Manchester, providing health benefits for local residents. It aims to:

·         Bring NO₂ emissions within legal limits as soon as possible and by 2024 at the latest.

·         Discourage polluting commercial vehicles from travelling on local roads in Greater Manchester.

·         Encourage businesses to switch to cleaner, low- or zero-emission vehicles.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as nitrogen oxides (NO_x) - NO₂ gets in the air from the burning of fuel. Breathing air with a high concentration of NO₂ can irritate airways in the human respiratory system. Exposures over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms, hospital admissions and visits to A&E. Longer exposures to elevated concentrations of NO₂ may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. People with asthma, as well as children and the elderly  ...  view the full decision text for item 4.