Agenda item

There is a short report attached. There will be a presentation at the meeting.

The Panel received a presentation on the ‘Bath Clean Air Plan Update’ from Cathryn Brown, Team Manager - Licensing and Environmental Protection and Chris Major, Group Manager – Transport and Parking which covered the following:

·  Background

·  Recent Progress

·  Proposed charges

·  Proposed zone

·  Public consultation

·  Queen Square

·  Support packages

·  Financial assistance scheme

·  Exemptions

·  Concessions

·  Financial forecasts

·  Programme

·  Further information

·  Other local authorities

·  Summary

A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Craig thanked the officers for their hard work and raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Some concerns about Queen Square and potential queuing traffic - glad to hear of the ongoing monitoring of this area.

·  More information on anti-idling measures and enforcement. The officer explained that this enforcement is dependent upon funding from central government and would be progressed when this funding is provided.

·  What are the plans regarding a Coach Strategy, especially with regard to Bog Island? The officer explained that this strategy is linked to the wider Transport Delivery Plan which will be brought to the Panel and to Cabinet but that it was currently in the very early stages of development.

·  How are financial assistance schemes accessed if people to not have use of the internet. The officer explained that travel advisors and community liaison officers will signpost people to information.

·  Is there support if people live outside the boundary but work in Bath. The officer explained that businesses that regularly enter the zone (that are able to provide proof) may be eligible for financial assistance.

·  Sole traders should also be considered. The officer explained that it was the aim to contact all businesses and welcomed input from Councillors if they know anyone that has not been contacted. People can register an expression of interest online. Councillor O’Brien added that contacting businesses in the whole of BANES was important as there may be a lack of understanding in places. She urged officers to use town and parish councils to pass on information.

Councillor Rigby thanked officers for all their work. She stated that she was glad to hear that ongoing communication was part of the plan. Councillor Rigby asked if baseline targets are set now for data monitoring as part of the success is getting evidence to move on to the next stage. The officer explained that there is a monitoring and evaluation plan in the full business case and that baseline data will come from various sources including auto traffic counters. There will be updates as we go along. It is more difficult to monitor behaviour change but there will be some quantitative data relating to this.

Councillor O’Brien stated that there has been abuse of the anti-idling and also weight restrictions and asked if the authority will have more powers of enforcement when the CAZ going through. The officer stated that yes, officers will be authorised with enforcement powers following a report to Cabinet in September 2019.

Councillor Born commended the officers for their hard work and raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Regarding the table in the business case, are figures adjusted up and down. The officer stated he would investigate this outside of the meeting.

·  In some cities they have screens to show the level of air quality, could we use this model? The officer explained that there is a continuous air quality monitor at Snow Hill which can provide real-time information and that the team are investigating various ways to publicise this information. There are some technical issues to consider.

·  Is it likely that there will be short-term or long-term shortfalls in revenue? The officer explained that the team was working to make sure that no revenue impact falls on the Council.

·  Is there a contingency plan for Queen Square? The officer explained that the team will be looking at the impact on traffic in the context of the wider programme for the city. The aim is to move people towards less journeys and cleaner vehicles.

Councillor Bromley thanked the officers for their work and raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Are NO2 levels measured as an average? Are levels high at peak periods eg. Lansdown Lane (near to WASPs – Primary School). The officer explained that there is an annual average and an hourly air quality objective. The officer stated that data regarding Lansdown Lane could be provided and one of team has been working with WASPS regarding the use of alternative forms of transport (e.g. walking) to get to school.

·  Encouraging children to walk to school is great but most traffic is commuters and children are walking through this pollution. The officer explained that there is air quality monitoring at Lansdown which confirms that the annual air quality objective is not exceeded, however, it is recognised that there will be peaks in levels at different times of the day.  It is beneficial for children to walk to school as pollution levels within cars moving in traffic can also be an issue.

There was some discussion with Councillor Kumar (not in attendance as a member of the Panel at this meeting) regarding the inclusion of Sydney Buildings in the CAZ. The officer stated that this situation would be monitored and it is important to recognise that improvement in air quality will also be felt outside of the zone. Councillor Rigby stated that, at a meeting with residents and officers, it became clear that some of the issues they had could be solved by other measures and generally the CAZ was just one programme but that it cannot be expected to solve all the problems with congestion and pollution.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

·  Note the progress made as set out in the presentation;

·  Forward the comments made above to the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency for inclusion in the item at the Cabinet meeting on 16^th January 2020.