Since Autumn 2018 the Council has been working under Ministerial Direction to prepare a local plan for how it intends to deal with exceedances of the legal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) at key locations in the District. In December 2020 the Council submitted its Clean Air Plan (CAP) full business case (FBC) to Government setting out its plan to implement a category ‘C’ Clean Air Zone in the District.  The arrangements in the FBC were assessed by representatives of the Joint Air Qualities Unit (JAQU) who have recommended a provisional funding award to Ministers for confirmation and delivery during 2021.  The report of the Strategic Director, Health & Wellbeing

(Document “DN”) updates Executive on the arrangements set out in the CAP and seeks endorsement for its implementation.

Recommended -

that the Executive:

(1)       approve the implementation of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Bradford at the beginning of 2022

(2)       approve the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director Place, in consultation with the Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder, the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder, the Director of Finance and the City Solicitor for the purpose of carrying out consultation on the Bradford Clean Air Zone, Charging Scheme Order (CSO) and its subsequent adoption including the confirmation of relevant grant and exemption packages

(3)       approve the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director Place in consultation with the Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder and the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder for the design and delivery of Clean Air Zone publicity campaigns

(Regeneration & Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

                                                (Andrew Whittles - 0758 405 8868)

Since Autumn 2018 the Council had been working under Ministerial Direction to prepare a local plan for how it intends to deal with exceedances of the legal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) at key locations in the District. In December 2020 the Council submitted its Clean Air Plan (CAP) full business case (FBC) to Government setting out its plan to implement a category ‘C’ Clean Air Zone in the District.  The arrangements in the FBC were assessed by representatives of the Joint Air Qualities Unit (JAQU) who had recommended a provisional funding award to Ministers for confirmation and delivery during 2021.  The report of the Strategic Director, Health & Wellbeing (Document “DN”) updated Executive on the arrangements set out in the CAP and sought endorsement for its implementation.

Professor Josie McEachan, Programme Director of Born in Bradford attended the meeting and referred to the impact of air quality on the health of residents of the district and in particular the elderly and young people.  She added that many of the effects of unsafe levels of air quality were felt most in disadvantaged communities.  She went on to say that the Born in Bradford research project, monitoring over 12,500 families and children the oldest of which were now 13, had provided data that poor air quality was associated with lower birth rates and increased levels of respiratory disease.  She added that there was clear evidence that if the air quality in the district was improved, the health and economy of the district would improve and the burden on health services would reduce.

On behalf of the Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing the Programme Manager, Bradford clean Air Plan advised members that the Clean Air Zone would be implemented on 5 January 2022 and would impact all vehicle types except passenger cars.  The plan will improve air quality in all wards but in key locations will improve air quality by 35% and will benefit greenhouse gas emissions.  He added that Ministers from DEFRA and the DfT had approved the plan total funding of £39.3m which was the highest level yet seen for a CAZ.  A grants package of £31m would support all businesses up to SME level to adjust to the CAZ and an exemptions package of £10m funding support would be available.  There would be a dedicated website on which a vehicle checker could be accessed and payments could be made on line.  A major publicity campaign was planned.  Born in Bradford had been awarded £1.1m health funding to monitor the health impacts of the CAP.  It had been recognised by government as a project of national significance.

The Programme Director of Born in Bradford explained that they would work with the CAP team to track the health impact of the CAZ in the district on lung and heart health, children’s health, respiratory and lung disease.  Work was being undertaken with 12 primary schools training year 5 and 6 pupils to be citizen scientists carrying mobile light weight monitoring equipment on their way to and from school.  An economic evaluation would also be carried out to identify how health impacts from the CAZ translated into costs saved.

The Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing outlined the other Local Authorities that were implementing CAZs and noted that they would apply to most major cities in the UK.  He added that air quality monitoring during lockdown in the first two months of 2021 had indicated that in some places such as Mayo Avenue the air quality was still above legal limits.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder thanked officers and partners on the significant work undertaken.  She noted the positive impact that the CAP would have on residents of the district and those yet to be born.  She was pleased to note the significant grant funding that would be available to support businesses.  She stressed that passenger cars would be excluded.  She pointed out the significant funding available to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade.

A member of the opposition group referred to the effect on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade and asked about the impact on minor roads should people use them to avoid the charges and the impact on local business.  In response the Strategic Director gave an assurance that the CAZ had been designed so that people would not use other routes to avoid charges and this would be closely monitored.  He confirmed that Hackney Carriage and Private Hire operators were not required to convert to electric vehicles but that generous grant funding and exemption packages were available should they wish to and that this had been developed in consultation with the trade and businesses.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder welcomed the plan and thanked officers, partners and the Born in Bradford team and expressed confidence that if air quality was improved this would improve the life chances of vulnerable and young people in the district.   

Resolved -

(1)       That the implementation of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Bradford at the beginning of 2022 be approved.

(2)       That the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director Place, in consultation with the Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder, the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder, the Director of Finance and the City Solicitor for the purpose of carrying out consultation on the Bradford Clean Air Zone, Charging Scheme Order (CSO) and its subsequent adoption including the confirmation of relevant grant and exemption packages be approved.

(3)       That the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director Place in consultation with the Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder and the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder for the design and delivery of Clean Air Zone publicity campaigns be  approved.

Regeneration & Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION: Strategic Director, Health & Wellbeing