The Operational Director for Enforcement
Services, the Head of Sustainability and Climate Change (HS), the
Service Manager for Environmental Health and the Environmental
Protection Officer delivered an update on the Air Quality Action
Plan, how the Council was managing the impact of development on air
quality and the next steps for improving air quality and raising
awareness within the Borough.
In response to questions from Members,
officers stated that:
- They were not aware of any major
survival issues in relation to trees that had been planted in the
last three years; however, they would take this back to the Parks
and Open Spaces team, to find out the schedule for tree
check-up.
- The team were in discussions with Be
First around ensuring that promises made by developers in terms of
tree planting were actively pursued.
- Whilst air quality monitoring was
newer in LBBD, and it was therefore difficult to look at trends
over the last few years, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels had been
reducing across London. This was in part due to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), trends to move to
petrol rather than diesel and other policies implemented. Air
quality concerns often centred more around localised hotspots,
which was why monitoring was essential, and LBBD would be able to
collect more data through its diffusion tubes in coming years.
- It was very hard to compare year on
year results, due to these being highly influenced by the weather
and global patterns, such as climatic conditions and agricultural
processes. Whilst less cars were used during Covid peaks, buses
continued to operate, with large empty diesel buses emitting high
pollution.
- The ULEZ would be expanding from 25
October 2021, with a key difference being buses operating inside
and outside of this zone. Lobbying Transport for London (TfL) and
positioning diffusion tubes appropriately would be critical in
encouraging TfL to renew their fleet through an increased evidence
base.
- Whilst the Member Champion for
Climate Change had not seen this report, he met with the HS on a
bi-monthly basis and had been involved in the Air Quality Action
Plan from start to finish.
- The current local plan ensured that
new buildings going forward aimed to meet net zero carbon
standards; however, there would be a period of transition as LBBD
had very low land values in comparison to the rest of London, and
there was a trade-off between S106 money going towards this,
highways, education and the Community
Infrastructure Levy, as the cost of making properties “net
zero” was currently quite expensive.
- Most carbon emissions came from
existing stock, as newer stock was generally much better in design
and carbon intensity was quite low. Be First was designing a
zero-carbon design guide, which the Council was going to use with
its own built properties, as an example to third party developers
that they could design out carbon at a low cost. Retrofitting of
existing buildings in the Borough was also in progress.
- The next Air Quality steering group
meeting would look into a year-long
communication strategy, focusing on public health issues. This
would highlight problems, such as the consequences of burning wood
and idling car engines, and offer
solutions to residents to help them to make changes. The
Communications team was also issuing a substantial ‘greener
and cleaner’ communications package, setting out what the
Council was doing in terms of the green agenda, and encouraging
residents to get involved.
- A series of events would be running
in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021
(COP26) in Glasgow, such as a ‘Big Great Green Week’
for the public to engage in. Public events would also be run over
the next 10 years, in line with national 2030 carbon emissions
targets.
- Many often worried that
repercussions would be felt outside of a ULEZ zone; however, this
mostly resulted in cleaner vehicle usage from those who wanted to
travel into London.
- Communications needed to focus more
on the damaging effects of particulate matter in relation to
diseases such as cancer.
- Enforcement in terms of larger
vehicles and tonnage was the responsibility of TfL. Some
authorities had CCTV on 7.5 tonne areas, which could be forwarded
on to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to address
through the industry, rather than legislatively. Discussions with
satnav providers could also help to reroute cars away from
problematic areas.
- Whilst the Non-Road Mobile Machinery
(NRMM) Zone enforcement scheme had a voluntary sign-up for
developers, Councils could enforce through the Environmental
Protection Act for statutory nuisances for dust and noise; however,
the Act was more difficult to enforce as the statutory nuisance had
to impact someone in their premises, rather than just on the street
generally.
The Chair suggested that officers ask ward
councillors whether they would be willing to use a part of their
budget for pollution-busting plants within the edges of school
buildings, to reduce carbon emissions around schools. The HS stated
that the team had already had conversations with Valence School
about green grids, and that in the lead up to the COP26,
communications kits would be sent to schools.