Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report is to:

Ø  provide an update to Cabinet on the process undertaken to develop Solihull’s first Clean Air Strategy;

Ø   seek Cabinet approval to endorse the Solihull Clean Air Strategy 2019 – 2024 (attached); and

Ø   seek Cabinet approval for the governance and scrutiny processes to oversee delivery of the Strategy.

The Cabinet was:

Ø  provided with an update on the process undertaken to develop Solihull’s first Clean Air Strategy;

Ø  invited to endorse the Solihull Clean Air Strategy 2019 – 2024; and

Ø  invited to approve the governance and scrutiny processes to oversee delivery of the Strategy.

Members were advised that Solihull Clean Air Strategy set out the case for action and outlined the measures that would be taken over the next five years within the Borough of Solihull in order to improve air quality and reduce population exposure to the pollutants known to be the most harmful to human health.

The Solihull Clean Air Strategy focused on actions to reduce the primary air pollutants particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) which were both major components of urban air pollution. The Solihull Clean Air Strategy focused on short, medium and long term actions led by Solihull Council to improve air quality across the Borough.

The strategy acknowledged that air quality would also be influenced by the wider national and regional strategic context.The themes identified for action within the strategy were those deemed to have the greatest impact on improving air quality within Solihull - Education; Planning; Transport; Environment; Public Messaging & Procurement. 

In order to be effective, the Solihull Clean Air Strategy and associated action plan would be reliant on an integrated approach which encompassed behavioural, strategic and infrastructure changes. These would be considered within the wider context of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Birmingham & Solihull Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Members very much welcomed and supported the strategy and Officers advised that measurable targets would be detailed in the action plan, and monitored and scrutinised by the theme leads.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Solihull clean air strategy 2019-2024 be approved;

(ii)  That a formal launch of theSolihull clean air strategy 2019 – 2024 in February 2019 be approved;

(iii)  That it be agreed to delegate authority for decision making to ensure delivery of the Solihull Clean Air Strategy, and the accountability sits with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing; and

(iv)  That it be agreed that the delivery against the action plan be monitored and reviewed by the Economic Development & Managed Growth Scrutiny Board on an annual basis.