The Environmental Health Officer introduced the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services which detailed the Wirral Air Quality Strategy 2024-2028. The report covered all wards and outlined the work that the council would undertake to support the government's long-term air quality goals, including a steep percentage reduction to population exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5).

Members were informed that the risk of moving forward without implementing an Air Quality Strategy, would have meant that the council is not fulfilling the statutory requirement of the Environment Act 1995 as amended by the Environment Act 2021 by publishing an Air Quality Strategy setting out air quality standards, objectives, and measures for improving ambient air quality. This would have had both reputational and service delivery consequences and would  have resulted in criticism of the council by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Members discussed the areas around Woodchurch School playing fields, querying the placement of roadside air quality and particulate matter. Also discussed was allotment burning and the guidance distributed on this, domestic log burning, car idling and queried if the Council should be working towards World Health Organisation targets for air quality.

Resolved – That the Wirral Air Quality Strategy 2024-2028 be approved.