Agenda item

Report of the Director of Consumer Protection and Market Operations.

Please Note:  The Draft Air Quality Strategy was approved for public consultation by the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee on 5^th March 2019.

This is a long document, which is available on line at: http://democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk and will be provided to Members of the Health an Wellbeing Board electronically.  A printed copy is available on request.

Members received a report of the Interim Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the Draft Air Quality Strategy.  Members noted that the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee had approved the draft Strategy for Consultation, at its last meeting on 5^th March 2019, and the document would be presented to the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, for final decision, in  July 2019.  Members noted that, if they had any further comments, they could submit these before 12^th  May 2019.

Officers advised that, since publication of the agenda, the funding bids set out in the report; i.e. an increase in the air quality base budget to £99,000 and an application for ‘Priorities Investment Pot’ funding for £110,000 over 2 years, had been approved.  There was a further update to the report in that the City Corporation would be supporting the Mayor of London in ensuring that air quality, in over 90% of the Square Mile, met the health-based limit value and World Health Organisation Guidelines for nitrogen dioxide by the beginning of 2025.

There was some discussion about the pros and cons of electronic vehicles, in respect of the materials used to make their batteries and the fact that the cars were generally bigger and heavier.  Members were advised that the draft Transport Strategy would be presented to the Planning and Transportation Committee the following week, with a key target being to reduce the volume of traffic in the City and improve the safety of pedestrians.  Officers advised that, wherever road journeys were essential, clean vehicles would be used as much as possible. 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted and the Health and Wellbeing Board continue to provide support for reducing the impact of poor air quality on public health.