The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) will be submitted to the Committee to provide an update on the delivery and operation of the CAZ which will launch on 26 September 2022.

Recommended –

That the information provided in the report be noted.

(Andrew Whittles – 07581 007609)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) was submitted to the Committee to provide an update on the delivery and operation of the CAZ which would be launching on 26 September 2022.

The Officer reported that the Council has been directed by the Government to achieve compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the shortest possible timeframe and implement a Class C Clean Air Zone (CAZ).

The Officer explained that other Clean Air Zones had already been introduced in Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth and further CAZ have been scheduled for Greater Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent and Liverpool.

The implementation of the CAZ class C was entirely funded by Government under the New Burdens provisions and a total of £41.2m had been provided for the development of the CAZ enforcement systems and Clean Air Funding (CAF), to help local businesses upgrade to CAZ standard. It was reported that areas covered by CAZ would be enforced by using 360 ANPR cameras which would be a number of databases.

Members of the Committee were informed that the Government would make a charge of £2 for every payment that was made to enter a CAZ as the Government has set a range of charging levels for each vehicle type and the Council has negotiated the lower levels of charging for CAZ authorities and the lowest charging level for taxis in the UK.

The Officer informed Committee Members that CAZ will be enforced from 26^th September 2022, however the Council has planned to collect a weeks’ camera data in July and August, prior to CAZ launch, and would send Early Notice Letters (ENL) in August and September, respectively, notifying non- compliant vehicle operators that entered the Zone about the CAZ requirements and sources of information such as the Breathe Better Bradford webpages.

The Officer further reported that the Council would be providing  grant funding to help businesses to upgrade their vehicles to CAZ standards. There would be a dedicated CAZ contact centre that would deal with a variety of calls, providing advice on CAZ, grants and exemptions programme. The Council will monitor the introduction of the CAZ to ensure that there is no unintended traffic displacement.

It was reported that Born in Bradford (BiB) had been awarded funding to undertake a health impact assessment (HIA) of the Clean Air Zone. As this is the only CAZ HIA being undertaken it has been described by the Government as a project of national significance. BiB has recorded a survey of 1,770 families in the District that has shown that 71% are in support of CAZ.

The Officer explained that the Clean Air Plan would reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 150,000 tonnes over the life of the Clean Air Zone, this would be one of the most significant climate change projects in Yorkshire and Humberside region.

Members were then given the opportunity to comment and ask questions, the details of which and the responses given are as below.

o   What level of staffing would be created by this project?

o   The officer reported that 70 jobs would be created, 52 staff would be working on CAZ, 12 staff would be looking at photographic evidence and a few staff would be in business support.

o   As this was a Ministerial Direction to implement CAZ, could you explain the £2 charge made by the Government?

o   The Officer explained that although initially it was agreed that the Government would provide a free service but this was later reconsidered by the Government and therefore a charge of £2 was implemented.

o   The Government is charging £2, where was this planned to be used?

o   The Officer advised that it would most likely be used on overheads but will seek clarification.

o   Could you please explain the CAZ charge and how and when would drivers have to pay this?

o   The Officer explained that drivers could pay for the charge 6 days in advance, on the day or 1 day in arrears. Funding has been obtained to promote and advertise about CAZ so that drivers are aware of the charge.

o   Could you please explain CAZ categories?

o   The Officer explained that there are 4 types of clean air zones, Class A to D. Category A applied to Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles. Category B applied to Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles. Category C applied to Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses and category D applied to Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses, cars, the local authority has the option to include motorcycles.

o   We are concerned in which the way this has been implemented, what communications have already taken place with residents and taxi drivers?

o   The Officer reported that the team have had communications and consultations with taxi drivers, they were made aware of the grant available to them to upgrade their vehicles. Once vehicles were upgraded they would be making a saving of 30% - 40% on fuel. This plan has been produced in-house, there has been no involvement of any outside agency. The officer further explained that all fines are also dealt with in-house, support would be available. Anyone using SAT NAV would be made aware of the CAZ charge before entering Bradford.

o   New guidance by WHO advised that the pollution level limit be at 10 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide (NO? ) per cubic metre rather than 40, what would we need to do in order to bring the level down to 10?

o   The Officer explained that this could be achieved by tackling traffic in each of the key areas and the CAZ plan would improve the air quality greatly which in turn would improve health conditions. Currently there has not been a breach of target level in any of the 7 locations in Bradford and Bradford has one of the cleanest taxi fleet in the country.

o   Although CAZ would result in cleaner air and better health we need to ensure this would not affect families that are struggling to provide for their children, child poverty is on the rise.

o   Would there be a cap on fines?

o   The Officer advised that Bradford would have one of the cheapest charges in the country and that there would be a cap on fines, any issues would be resolved sooner due to the in-house team dealing with PCN’s.

o   The Chair stated that approaching taxi drivers directly would be in their best interest, there would be a higher number of fatalities due to poverty and stress than air pollution.

o   The CAZ could have an effect on the number of people visiting Bradford, CAZ may deter people.

o   The Officer advised that as this was a new scheme, there would be traffic counts and monitoring in place. This data would be made available at a later date.

o   It would be important for there to be a CAZ liaison officer for Members to reach out to should there be any issues.

o   The Officer advised that he would be Members main point of call for any issues and concerns.

o   Need to be more proactive in educating young people regarding air pollution and about buying cars, promote other travelling options and purchasing options.

o   The Officer informed the Member of the Committee that the team would be going out to schools and colleges educating young people. We have also been looking at apprenticeships.

o   Where would the CAZ team be based and what is the team structure?

o   The Officer advised that the team would be based at Britannia House in Bradford. After the Director there would be an operations manager along with 3 more managers and the rest of the staff would be supporting the call centre or business support, business support staff would be going out and securing further funding.

o   Please explain how people with older vehicles would be able to continue to work and if there would any exemption that they may be eligible for?

o   The Officer advised that Charges would not apply to passenger cars and motorbikes, even if residents use them for work. However, residents are able to check online via the vehicle checker which would show that the vehicle would be charged to drive in the Clean Air Zone. People may be eligible for a national or local exemption. Local Exemptions are available to businesses and residents of the Bradford District only. Have already received 4,000 applications for exemptions, these would typically be processed within 10 days.

o   Could you please provide more information on grants available to businesses?

o   The Officer provided more details on the grant: The grant application window was open to support the replacement or retrofit of non-compliant vehicles to clean air zone standards and to assist with the ongoing running costs of electric vehicles. The window for the HGV and Buses had now closed. There is still some funding available for taxis, LGV and minibuses available on a first come first serve basis. Grants would be available to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), Sole Traders/self-employed, education establishments and charities registered within the Bradford Metropolitan District. Grants will not apply to businesses with more than 250 staff.

o   Members of the Committee stated that whilst implementing CAZ it was important that the Council continue to support families in poverty.

o   How often would the quality of air be measured?

o   The Officer advised that the results should be achieved in the two years and then we would need to work on maintaining it. All the main locations would be monitored and regular reports would be made available.

o   Would a taxi driver be eligible to apply for an exemption if he is a resident in Bradford but worked in another local authority?

o   The Officer explained that taxi drivers (residents in Bradford) had been offered a grant in Leeds if that was where they were licenced, however if the driver is working in another LA they would not be eligible for either the grant/exemption in Bradford or Leeds.

o   Would we be in a position to offer exemption to taxi drivers after the launch of CAZ in September?

o   The Officer advised that this was unlikely but communication has been made with all taxi drivers in Bradford and they are all aware of the changes to come. The Officer further informed the Committee that there was no evidence to suggest that would be any issues with taxi drivers but this could be reviewed at a later date.

o   How do Members navigate through this issues with taxi drivers come September?

o   The Officer suggested that taxi drivers could be advised to apply for grant/exemption from LA they are working in.

o   How would you deal with people contesting PCN’s?

o   The Officer replied that the in-house team would look into photographic evidence and ensure there was adequate signage and have a more common sense approach to dealing with this issue.

Resolved:-

(i)            That an interim update in the form of a briefing note be circulated to Members of the Committee six months after the launch of the Clean Air Zone in March 2023; and

(ii)          That a full update be presented at a meeting of the Committee in September 2023.

Action: Director, Air Quality Programme

(Andrew Whittles – 07581 007609)