Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

The Committee considered Minute No. 821 of Cabinet, from its special meeting held on 4^th April 2023, which had been referred direct to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Air Quality Management Plan (AQAP) 2023-27 for consideration.

The Committee debated the matter in some detail and asked a number of questions, which the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism and officers duly responded to.

In response to questions regarding the vocabulary, structure and content of the report and appendices, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism gave assurances that the final version and future reports would be presented in a more user-friendly format.

Resolved:-

1. That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027, set out at Appendix 1 for the Air Quality Management Area 2, set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, as amended to incorporate the views of the Environment, Culture and Tourism Working Party at its meeting held on 29 March 2023, be approved.

2. That the relevancy of air quality measures contained within the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027 to Air Quality Management Area 1 and the rest of the City of Southend, be acknowledged.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2023-2027 for consideration. 

On consideration of the report the Cabinet Member for Environment, Tourism and Culture reported that following consideration of the matter at the meeting of the Environment, Culture and Tourism Working Party held on 29 March 2023 a number of changes and adjustments were made to the action plan.

Resolved:

1. That the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027, set out at Appendix 1 for the Air Quality Management Area 2, set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, as amended to incorporate the views of the Environment, Culture and Tourism Working Party at its meeting held on 29 March 2023, be approved.

2. That the relevancy of air quality measures contained within the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027 to Air Quality Management Area 1 and the rest of the City of Southend, be acknowledged.

Reasons for decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to put in measures to improve local air quality through the development and implementation of an Air Quality Action Plan, to reduce the impact on the health of those living and working within Southend-on-Sea.

Other options:

None.  It is a statutory duty to adopt an Air Quality Action Plan where an Air Quality Management Area has been declared.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to: Special Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Minute No. 722 (Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item No. 12 refers)

Called-in By Councillors Cowdrey & Woodley

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism, withdrew this item to enable the Council’s Environment, Culture and Tourism Working Party to consider issues raised in respect of the draft Air Quality Management Plan 2023-2027.  The matter would be reported to a future or special meeting of the Cabinet and Place Scrutiny Committee in due course.

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2023-2027 for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027, set out at appendix 1 to the submitted report, for the Air Quality Management Area 2 (appendix 2 to the report), Air Quality Management Area 1 (appendix 3 to the report) and across the City of Southend-on-Sea, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to put in measures to improve local air quality through the development and implementation of an Air Quality Action Plan, to reduce the impact on the health of those living and working within Southend-on-Sea.

Other options:

None.  It is a statutory duty to adopt an Air Quality Action Plan where an Air Quality Management Area has been declared.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2023-2027 for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027, set out at appendix 1 to the submitted report, for the Air Quality Management Area 2 (appendix 2 to the report), Air Quality Management Area 1 (appendix 3 to the report) and across the City of Southend-on-Sea, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to put in measures to improve local air quality through the development and implementation of an Air Quality Action Plan, to reduce the impact on the health of those living and working within Southend-on-Sea.

Other options:

None.  It is a statutory duty to adopt an Air Quality Action Plan where an Air Quality Management Area has been declared.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

*Called-in to Place Scrutiny Committee