Agenda item

To receive a report by the Director of Resources and Housing which advises Members of the timescales for defining the next iteration of the Clean Air Zone to be proposed, the consultation on that and the implementation period that will follow a successful application to government for funding to support this proposal.

  The report further aims to illustrate how the process to ensure that Leeds is compliant with National Air Quality standards requires support from the Licensing Committee and the Taxi and Private Hire trade. Successful engagement with the trade will assist with the development of a business case that will include a submission of a bid for funding to government to assist mitigation of the impacts of the CAZ on this sector through the ‘Clean Air Fund’ (CAF).

(Report attached)

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report which provided an update on proposals for a clean air zone.

The report informed Members of the timescales for defining the next iteration of the Clean Air Zone to be proposed, the consultation on that and the implementation period that would follow a successful application to government for funding to support this proposal.

Members noted that the report aimed to illustrate how the process to ensure that Leeds was complaint with National Air Quality standards required support from the Licensing Committee and the Taxi and Private Hire Trade. Successful engagement with the trade would assist with the development of a business case that would include a submission of a bid for funding to government to assist mitigation of the impacts of the CAZ on this sector through the Clean Air Fund (CAF)

Addressing the report the Project Manager, Resources & Housing highlighted the following issues which included:

·  A period of consultation and engagement with key stakeholders across the city was undertaken between 2nd January 2018 and 2^nd March 2018. The responses to that consultation is in the process of review and analysis in order to inform the revised iteration of the Clean Air Zone to be proposed to Executive Board in June 2018. 

·  The actions that will be required to support the implementation of the Clean Air Zone in relation to the taxi and private hire sector and timescales that the Council must work to in order to meet a ministerial direction for submission of the Clean Air Zone business case and implementation of measures to ensure compliance with National Air Quality Standards.

·  Taxi and Private Hire vehicles will be impacted by Clean Air Zones in all named cities, with the emissions from these vehicles determined as being disproportionately high due to the significant mileage travelled by vehicles in this industry.

  Members queried how out of town vehicles would be recognised and charged for entering the clean air zone.

  In responding the Project Manager said vehicle ownership details from a National Database would be able to recognise and recharge out of town vehicles accordingly. It was envisaged that once the clean air zone became operational it would act as a deterrent to vehicles which were non-compliant with air quality standards.

  Reference was made to the provision of electric charging points and queried if the use of lamppost technology was been considered.

  Officers reported that the City of Oxford were carrying out research into various options for the provision of electric vehicles charging points and it was understood that the use of lamppost charging was included. Once the study was complete the information would be shared with other local authorities. In terms of the provision of charging points in Leeds it was reported that up to 28 sites (mainly on council land) had been identified as suitable locations for the installation of rapid charging facilities. 

  Members queried if electric vehicle charging points would be suitable for all electric vehicle types.

  In responding it was reported that Local Authorities had little influence over the variety of electric vehicle charging points vehicle manufacturers developed and it was for the manufacturing trade to take the lead in seeking unification and that government were seeking to legislate to create a consistent approach to vehicle charging.

  The Chair thanked officers for their attendance and providing the update.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the timescales for the development of the revised Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plan and for submission of Leeds City Council’s business case to central government as well as the implementation timescales for the zone itself, particularly in respect of the potential impact on the taxi and private hire trade.

(ii)  To agree to consider the implementation of the CAZ and the vehicle standards that the CAZ is encouraging when reviewing licensing conditions.