Agenda item

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, introduced the policy and development item. She read a statement from the Director of Public Health. There was a presentation which covered the following:

·  Pollutants in BANES

·  Health Impacts

·  Particulate Matter and Health Impacts

·  Vulnerable Community Members

·  Air Quality Standards and Targets

·  Examples of LA’s with Local Targets

·  NO2 Forecasting

·  Particulate Matter Forecasting across B&NES

·  Suggested Local Annual Targets and Supporting Strategy

Panel members had the following discussion:

Councillor Pankhania asked whether new sources of PM2.5 were being monitored. He stated that it may be smarter to look a new engineering processes to see if they generate eg. Cosmetics. The officer explained that the strategy would include source?apportionment and that monitoring was needed to identify hot spots.

Councillor Hounsell asked whether modelling included new housing growth. The officer explained that modelling does not consider new local interventions but does consider traffic changes.

Councillor Hounsell asked if there is a policy regarding wood burning stoves in terms of people using treated wood. The Cabinet Member stated that all suggestions can be incorporated into the policy and in the meantime, the Environment Protection Team can investigate.

Councillor Wait asked whether wood?burning impacts on individual homes could be monitored. The officer explained that particulate matter is harder to monitor and the equipment is more complex. She confirmed that mobile PM monitors exist and limited monitoring is possible.

Councillor Box noted monitoring in Bath and suggested that it would be great to widen this out. She underlined the importance of enforcement. She also stated a nervousness of hot spots being identified which could cause traffic diversions. She explained her job with patients with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asked that the link to poverty be considered as a theme. Officers agreed.  

Councillor Heijltjes stated that she supports setting local targets. She asked if 2030 timing is realistic. She also asked whether school streets could be monitored before and after implementation. The officer stated that targets are realistic, WHO guidelines are extremely ambitious.

Councillor Jackson asked if farm vehicles are monitored. Officers explained that they are not specifically monitored. It was explained that monitoring has been done in Westfield and if they have been taken away it will be due to levels being lower.

Councillor Walker asked if people could be supported if they wish to swap from solid fuel use. She also asked whether bonfire restrictions could be enforced. Officers confirmed they can be enforced through statutory nuisance powers, alongside public education. The Cabinet Member stated that there are initiatives for those on low incomes (Warm Homes).

Councillor Hounsell stressed the importance of education and communication as changes can take a long time (eg. Recycling).

Councillor Box stated that a strategy is a good idea and that there is a crossover with the NHS.

The Panel unanimously agreed to recommend to the Cabinet Member that:

•  the Council should identify and adopt local targets for nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution.

•  the Council should prepare a Clean Air Strategy that sets out what the local target should be, and what regulatory powers there are to help protect people’s lives.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers.