To receive a presentation from Mr Mike Cockburn, Lead Commissioner – Environment.

The Committee considered a presentation from the Lead Commissioner – Environment and officers from the Environmental Health Department in relation to the Government’s plans for improving air quality highlighting the implications for Wirral.

Introduced by Mr M Cockburn, Lead Commissioner – Environment, the presentation highlighted the strategic overview; Wirral’s Air Quality monitoring arrangements; latest position across the Liverpool City Region; Government’s plans for improving air quality and the opportunities and issues in relation to air quality.

Mr K Smith, Environmental Health indicated that as part of its obligations, the Council produced an Air Quality Annual Status Report which was submitted to DEFRA. The current report had been submitted and once finalised would be shared with Members.

In relation to ‘hotspots’ Members raised concerns in relation to Singleton Avenue in particular, the effects air quality would have on the school in the area and asked if the monitoring undertaken took into account peak times such as children going to and from school and during break and lunchtimes.

In response Mr Smith indicated that work is currently being undertaken in conjunction with Public Health and officers within the department on pilot scheme to look at ways in which schools could influence parents to improve air quality.

In relation Singleton Avenue it was reported that there were no hourly harmful levels. In response, Members as a matter of urgency requested that further air quality monitoring be undertaken in particular at peak times at the school and surrounding area. The Lead Commissioner in response indicated that work could be undertaken with identified schools through the Eco Schools Officer to do some self-monitoring projects. 

A further request was made by a Member for information in relation to air quality in and around St Albans Primary School and the current pilot scheme being undertaken by Liverpool John Moore’s University in relation to better routes to school.

Members highlighted the conflict between road safety and air quality in that some of decisions taken to improve road safety and asked if this had had an impact on air quality and how as a Council could this be managed. In response, Mr Smith indicated that officers worked alongside transportation colleagues to ensure that air quality management did not compromise traffic safety.

In response to questions raised regarding planning applications it was reported that developers were expected to submit Air Quality Action Plan to ensure risks and impacts were identified this allowed for developers to be challenged on the information provided if necessary, prior to planning permission being considered.

In relation to the development containing 140 homes to be built in Upton, a Member indicated that residents had raised concerns regarding the impact on air quality given the increase to traffic to the area which already had a high volume of traffic travelling to the hospital and retail park, similar comments were raised by a Member in relation to a development proposed for Acre Lane. In response it was explained that it would be difficult to ascertain if air quality had been affected and further investigations of both developments would need to be sought and if necessary monitored to ensure identification of future risk.

A Member asked about Wallasey Road and how if it exceeded the national figure it was shown to not have relevant exposure. In response it was explained that this was in line with DEFRA guidance in relation to exposure considerations. Monitoring had been put in place due to the issues of idling taxi vehicles and officers were working with Licensing colleagues to raise awareness amongst taxi license holders and imposing a possible anti-idling law.

In relation to funding, it was confirmed that the Council had received some funding to improve air quality and other available funding streams were sought.

In response to Member, it was reported that there were currently two monitoring stations and Members of the Air Quality Liaison Group were looking at the development of further stations.

In terms of the introduction of real time or a more accurate monitoring system, it was stated that Government had no immediate plans and had given no instruction to Councils to change the current monitoring systems nationally, but as part of the Council’s Strategic Review on Air Quality, officers would be exploring this.

The Lead Commissioner- Environment indicated that a report on the Strategic Review would be submitted to Cabinet in November and suggested that this be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the officers be thanked for their informative presentation;

(2)  the report on the Strategic Review be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee;

(3)  the Lead Commissioner – Environment be requested to investigate issues raised in relation to St Albans Primary School and  report back to the Member in writing; and

(4)  the Lead Commissioner – Environment be requested to work with identified schools through the Eco Schools Officer to undertake some self-monitoring projects.