Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director for Environment.

The Board received a report of the Interim Executive Director for Environment. A introduction to the report confirmed that the Air Quality Status report was an annual report, under local authority statutory obligations, which was expected to be submitted to the General London Assembly at the end of the year. It was confirmed that the City Corporation had made great progress decreasing levels of pollution in last 5 years, adhering to the national standards of pollutants in the process.

In response to the Chair’s question regarding ozone level, it was confirmed that ozone level were not prescribed as an air pollutant and the City Corporation had no statutory obligation to report on ozone levels, however since the data was available officers felt obligated to provide it to the Board for information. A Member asked if there were any plans to include Carbon Dioxide and Methane in air pollutant monitoring. The response was that these greenhouse gas emissions were only monitored in a climate sense rather than an air pollutant which was not covered by the framework.

Following a point raised, it was confirmed that a short-term study of air quality at Smithfield Market was conducted. This study was requested by a Market constable and for a period of two months and was not expected to be extended but could if required.

RESOLVED – That the report be received, and its contents noted.