Local democracy

Agenda item

ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

To be moved by Councillor Adrian Naylor

Seconded by Councillor Anne Hawkesworth

 

Council notes:

·           To prevent the worst effects of climate change, we must keep global temperature rises below 1.5°C.

·           Bradford Council has been  given a Ministerial Direction to draw up a plan to drastically improve air quality. In October Bradford Council was given a year to draw up plans to try to reduce pollution in the district, after it emerged that nitrogen dioxide levels on some roads were unlikely to reach legal levels until 2027.

Council resolves:

            In order to support the existing initiatives being developed and as suitable alternative zero emission vehicles already exist this Council instructs the Chief Executive to draw up and implement plans to ensure that all buses and taxis operating in the district are zero emission vehicles by 2025 or before.

Minutes:

A motion was moved by Councillor Naylor.

 

An amendment moved by Councillor Ferriby, as set out in the resolution below, was carried.

 

An amendment was also moved by Councillor Warnes.

 

Resolved –

 

Council notes:

To prevent the worst effects of climate change, we must keep global temperature rises below 1.5°C.

 

Air quality is a key concern as part of our comprehensive plans for the climate emergency.

 

A considerable number of councils have been directed to develop plans or implement measures to improve air quality.

 

Bradford Council is committed to working with partners to drastically improve air quality across the district and has been given a Ministerial Direction to draw up a plan to do so. In October 2018 Bradford Council was given a year to draw up plans to try to reduce pollution in the district, after it emerged that nitrogen dioxide levels on some roads were unlikely to reach legal levels until 2027.

 

The Government has acknowledged that Bradford Council has a strong track record of working with local health professionals to assess the impacts of air quality on health. Born in Bradford (BiB) form part of the air quality plan programme development team and will be assisting in the assessment of associated health impacts. While particulate matter levels in the district do not breach EU Limit Values, it is recognised that significant health benefits will accrue from reducing concentrations. The reduction of particulate concentrations forms part of our air quality plan objectives as well as achieving compliance with the EU Limit Value for NO2.

 

Extensive work is taking place to develop the Bradford Air Quality Plan, as set out in the report to Executive on 11th June 2019.

 

The Council has developed a series of options for improvements to air quality by 2021/22 and designed to achieve compliance with NO2 EU Limit Value by 2022/23. These options include highways works to ease congestion, bus priority measures, travel planning measures, park and ride, zero emission buses, supporting electric vehicle uptake across the council, taxis, businesses and the public, ultra low emission measures for new developments, corporate social responsibility procurement and targeted boiler replacements.

 

The Air Quality Plan team are currently working on detailed, evidence-based assessments to identify the preferred options.

 

Council resolves:

To instruct officers to continue working at pace on the Bradford Air Quality Plan including stakeholder engagement in the development of the Outline Business Case to be submitted to government by 31st October followed by the Full Business Case in early 2020. Elected members will continue to be included in the engagement and consultation activities.

 

To ensure that Bradford makes a compelling bid for funding from government and other available sources to ensure the district is able to deliver on the identified priorities and measures to clean up our air.

 

To task the council’s Fleet Advisory Group to continue their work in advising on the delivery of lower emissions vehicles including Euro emissions standards, LPG and electric vehicles.

 

ACTION:        Chief Executive/Strategic Director Place