Agenda item

To receive an update on the progress of Sandwell’s Air Quality Action Plan.

Further to Minute No. 9/21 (of the meeting held on 25^th March 2021), the Board received an update on the implementation of Sandwell’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

Following the adoption of the Plan by the Council and its acceptance by DEFRA’s Local Air Quality Management team, several actions had taken place since the last report to the Board:

•        Monitoring and reporting

•        Specific projects

•        Promotional activities

•        Briefing for elected members.

Monitoring and Reporting

Particular air pollutants were regularly monitored to assess levels of pollution across Sandwell and to prioritise pollutants which had been identified to have the highest risk of breaching the air quality objectives. Various aspects of the monitoring programme had been completed over the last six months, including the continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide levels using diffusion tubes and a full dataset was being achieved, and the renewal and modernisation of equipment at four permanent air monitoring stations to allow for accurate and reliable monitoring of pollution levels.

Additionally, low cost air quality monitors (Zephyrs), which were capable of monitoring various types of air pollution, had been purchased to enable air quality projects to take place at specific locations. Currently, 13 of the planned 21 monitors were in location, eight were located next to faith centres, two monitors had been located at potential air pollution hotspots in Smethwick and another in Wednesbury, and one monitor had also been co-located next to a permanent monitoring station site for calibration purposes. Air pollution monitoring data from across Sandwell was published in an Annual Status Report (ASR) which is submitted to DEFRA.

Specific Projects

·      There were plans in place to declare the whole of Sandwell as a Smoke Control Area (SCA).  SCAs were designed to reduce the emission of smoke from chimneys by requiring the use of either authorised fuel or by using DEFRA “exempt appliances”, for example certain burners and stoves. 

·      The Council had been awarded Air Quality Grant funding by DEFRA to pursue a project designed to improve and increase awareness of air quality issues by engaging with faith leaders and their communities. The two-year project involved eight faith centres in year one and another eight centres in year two. Engagement with faith centres had been successful, and air quality monitoring units and display equipment had been located at each centre. Creation of the bespoke web-based dashboard to report air quality data in real-time on the display equipment was almost complete. Ongoing support would be provided to each centre to ensure that they receive adequate help and advice and that interest in the project was maintained through the year.

·      Work was being undertaken with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to address emissions from fleet vehicles and business mileage.

·      The most effective ways to influence and improve low and ultra-low emission vehicle use in Sandwell’s taxi fleet were being explored.  A survey was being devised by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to gauge opinions about electric vehicles (EV) from taxi and private hire drivers.

·      The Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Strategy was being coordinated by Sandwell officers.  The Strategy aimed to accelerate the uptake of ULEVs across the area in anticipation of a nationwide 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles.

·      A recent bid for funding for the installation of 37 double EVCPs (74 in total) across the borough had been successful and further on the proposals would be brought to a future meeting.

Promotional activities

·      Clean Air Day had taken place on 17 June 2021. This was the UK's largest air pollution campaign which aimed to engage people through social media. This year Clean Air Day had benefitted from national promotional work.

·      Sandwell’s “Great Big Green Week”, was held between 18 September and 26th September 2021, helped to progress awareness and action for Air Quality and Climate Change.

·      Sustainable Travel awareness was ongoing through the Council’s collaboration with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in relation to the Government funded Active Travel Fund (ATF) project. This also included engagement with schools and workplaces to encourage walking and cycling, improvements to Sandwell’s cycling network, promotion of car sharing, the e-scooter trial in West Bromwich, and the promotion of walking through the national ‘Go Jauntly’ web application.

Elected members had been engaged in many events to in increase awareness of air quality issues.

Following comments and questions from members of the Board, the following responses were made, and issues highlighted:-

·      The launch of a website had allowed Sandwell residents to check their nearest air quality monitor to check the air quality levels in their area.

·      Officers were collating a list of faith centres interested in participating next year’s programme. Officers emphasised the importance of equality, therefore were seeking to involve faith centres from across the Borough.

·      Members highlighted the importance of engaging with schools and including them in similar future projects.

·      Speed limit reductions on the M5 had been implemented as a result of recommendations from a member working group.  Concerns around the location of the M6 toll section and its impact on air pollution due to congestion had been raised at the Combined Authority.

·      Sandwell’s car sharing scheme, Lift Share, was part of a national programme.

·      Transport for West Midlands was submitting a bid to the Air Quality Grant for a number of buses to be retrofitted to comply with Euro 6 standard. Many bus providers were currently engaged with replacing their fleets.

·      The Cabinet Member had raised concerns about the re-location of older buses to Sandwell routes due to their bigger carbon footprints.  Assurances had been given by the West Midlands Mayor that they would be replaced with electric buses.

·      A Bus Service Improvement Plan would be required to bid for funding to move to an all-electric fleet.  Sandwell’s plan was due to be submitted to DEFRA in October. 

·      The Council’s fleet vehicles were replaced every 7 years.  A report would be presented to the next meeting on the fleet management and replacement plan.

·      Sandwell’s biggest emission source was from refuse collection vehicles. Officers were trying to obtain data from Serco on its fleet emissions.

·      New planning regulations now required new developments to include infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Resolved:-

(1)          that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Board on the Council’s proposals in relation to the successful funding bid for the installation of electric vehicle charging points across the borough;

(2)          that the Council increases its lobbying activity with external stakeholders to ensure that it receives its fair share of funding towards improvements to highways infrastructure to support electric vehicles;

that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Board on the Council’s fleet management plan and proposals to replace its fleet with electric vehicles.