Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting information in relation to session 2 of the Board’s inquiry into improving air quality in Leeds.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented information in relation to session 2 of the Board’s inquiry into improving air quality in Leeds.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults

-  Councillor Denise Ragan, Scrutiny Board Member (City Development)

-  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Housing

-  Polly Cook, Executive Programme Manager, Strategy and Resources

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation

-  Kevin McGready, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist

-  Dr Judith Y T Wang, Associate Professor in Transport Engineering – Resilient Transportation, University of Leeds

-  Jane Astrid Devane, Shire Oak Primary School.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Utilising the Council’s website to help raise awareness and share information – the Board acknowledged that the Council’s website would act as an information hub, including signposting to other relevant webpages.

·  State of the City workshop - a suggestion was made that the presentation provided at the recent State of the City workshop meeting regarding air quality be publicised on the Council’s website.

·  Other consultation and engagement initiatives – the Board acknowledged the range of existing and proposed initiatives targeted at key stakeholder groups which had been categorised as businesses, residents and schools (parents and children).

·  Engaging with local schools – the Board discussed the importance of working with children and parents in terms of exploring alternative greener options for travelling to school and welcomed the input of Dr Wang from the University of Leeds in this regard.  

·  ‘Green Week’ pilot initiative - particular reference was made to the pilot initiative undertaken with Shire Oak Primary School in Headingley, which had a particular focus on Air Quality.  The Board welcomed the attendance of the Headteacher of Shire Oak Primary School who highlighted the key outcomes arising from this initiative and also shared her views on expanding this work to other schools.

·  The importance of joined up working involving planning and highways – concerns were raised about the impact of poor air quality, particularly in relation to planned development close to main roads.  As such, the Board emphasised the importance of a joined up approach involving planning and highways and agreed to explore this further as part of its ongoing inquiry.

·  Instigating behaviour change towards more sustainable transport modes – it was recognised that more information was needed to help inform members of the public about the environmental benefits of electric and hybrid cars.  Particular reference was also made to the Council’s efforts in working with bus companies and taxi and private hire licensing surrounding more sustainable transport modes.  However, it was noted that the Board’s next inquiry session would be focusing on transport related matters in more detail.

·  Working closely with Small and Medium Enterprises – it was acknowledged that further work was needed to engage with local small and medium sized businesses. Linked to this, the Board was informed that the local Chamber of Commerce had been unable to send a representative to attend today’s meeting, but welcomed the opportunity to submit views in writing and also attend future inquiry sessions.

·  Industry pollution data - a request was made for the Board to receive further information regarding the impacts of local industry pollution.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the above issues raised as part of session 2 of the Board’s inquiry into improving air quality in Leeds, be noted.

(b)  That the requests for information be provided.

(Councillor A Khan joined the meeting at 10.50am during the consideration of this item.)

(Councillor D Collins left the meeting at 11.30am at the conclusion of this item.)