(time limit 15 minutes).
Councillor Roberts to MOVE and Councillor S. Bashforth to SECOND:
This council notes that:
This council welcomes the Air Quality Plan as far as it goes, but believes that action needs to be taken at a local, Greater Manchester and national level to increase the rate of progress and keep levels to the legal limit in the future.
This council resolves
Minutes:
The Mayor informed the meeting that there was one item of outstanding business from the previous meeting. The Chief Executive had been notified that Councillor S. Bashforth was unable to attend the meeting to second the Motion and notice had been given that Councillor Larkin would second the Motion in his absence which was AGREED.
Motion 1
Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor S. Bashforth SECONDED the following motion:
“This council notes that:
1. DEFRA published the policy paper ‘Air Quality Plan for nitrogen dioxide’ in July 2017 which sets out the Government’s strategy to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution and promises to make the UK a global leader in air quality.
2. Evidence from the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians outlines the damaging impact of poor air quality on our health, disproportionally affecting children, older people, people with pre-exisiting heart conditions and people on lower incomes.
3. Oldham has been designated as ‘urban with major conurbation’, which puts us in the top 23% most urban Local Authority Districts. DEFRA has also placed Oldham within the ‘above the legal limit but no feasibility study needs to be done’ category for air pollution, showing that Oldham’s urban nature affects the levels of pollution in the area.
4. Oldham’s nitrogen dioxide level is above the legal limit.
5. Oldham is making progress towards reaching the legal limit and is expected to achieve this by 2021, however more can be done.
This Council welcomes the Air Quality Plan as far as it goes, but believes that action needs to be taken at a local, Greater Manchester and national level to increase the rate of progress and keep levels to the legal limit in the future.
This Council resolves:
1. To ask the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Air Quality Sub Group to move as quickly as possible to produce an Air Quality Improvement Scheme for Oldham which should include what we as individuals can do, as well as action by Oldham Council and by Greater Manchester bodies.
2. To press Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to develop a more inclusive approach to improving air quality including:
a. Improving orbital public transport links
b. Improving connectivity between city centres e.g. by revising the Low Carbon Strategy to include measures which will help Oldham
c. Investing in cycle lanes and facilities in outer boroughs
3. To inform and support the Greater Manchester bid for the maximum possible funding from the Clean Air Fund to support local action
4. To support the wider use of low emission vehicles e.g. by encouraging the installation of charging points for electric cars.”
Councillor McCann spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Blyth spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Roberts exercised her right of reply.
On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Health and Well-Being Board’s Air Quality Sub-Group be asked to move as quickly as possible to produce and Air Quality Improvement Scheme For which should include what individuals could do, as well as action by Oldham Council and by Greater Manchester bodies.
2. Transport for Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority be pressed to develop a more inclusive approach to improving air quality including:
a. Improving orbital public transport links
b. Improving connectivity between city centres e.g. by revising the Low Carbon Strategy to include measures which would help Oldham
c. Investing in cycling lanes and facilities in the outer boroughs.
3. The Greater Manchester bid be informed and supported for the maximum possible funding from the Clean Air Fund to support local action.
4. The wider use of low emission vehicles e.g. by encouraging the installation of charging points for electric cars be supported.