Agenda item

 Ian Sandford, Public Health was present.

Following consideration of the report and discussion the following recommendations were agreed –

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Executive be recommended to –

1.    Support the Mayor of London’s Clean Air Strategy, in order to improve air quality and to reduce traffic, and to urge the Mayor to support additional funding for schemes to improve air quality in Islington

2.    Lobby the Government – Work with other London Boroughs and campaigning organisations to lobby the Government to introduce a new Clean Air Act for London, which should include provision for canals and waterways, car tax penalties for diesel vehicles, the cessation of engine idling, and a scrappage scheme to support people to dispose of diesel vehicles. Provision for penalties for engine idling should be included in any new Clean Air Act introduced, and the Council should ensure rigorous enforcement of any such legislation. Put up signs in zones where idling is a common problem, requesting car users to switch off their engines. Investigate the use of Public Space Protection Orders, to give the Council greater powers to sanction engine idling

3.    Request the Health and Wellbeing Board to incorporate air quality considerations into its future policies, given the impact of poor air quality on health and the costs of the provision of services to deal with combating respiratory disease

4.    Having heard the evidence of the focus of the Whittington NHS Trust in its new Estates Strategy with regard to energy efficiency, Islington CCG and NHS Trusts should ensure that energy efficiency is considered and implemented, wherever possible, in all future strategies and proposals

5.    Car Transport – Continue the ‘roll out’ of electric charging points, as speedily as possible, across the borough. Continue with the policy of increased parking charges for diesel vehicles and implement a staged introduction of higher charges for the higher polluting vehicles

6.    Schools – Implement a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to parking around schools for parents dropping off and picking children up from schools (including abolishing the 10 minutes grace period, if there is no provision under existing legislation for this), with the only exception being disabled/blue badge holders. Close roads near schools, at the beginning and at the end of each school day, as already happens in Hackney and is being piloted in Camden. Support schools and develop a communications strategy to educate parents/residents/children on the benefits of cycling, walking, active travel utilising quiet routes and, together with the Mayor of London, promote and enable the use of public transport (less vehicles as well as less polluting vehicles). Continue the policy of measuring air quality outside schools, and use the results to leverage any funding available from TfL, to implement any recommendations made, which may include physical improvements to schools, in order to improve air quality

Given the evidence that was considered in relation to the absorption of small particulates, especially PM2.5, and the extreme effects that these small particulates can have on residents, particularly young children whose lungs are still developing, consideration be given to the effects and improvements that can be made, especially in relation to schools

7.    In conjunction with recommendation 6 above, to develop a Communications Strategy, to inform residents, and schools, of the effects of poor air quality. This should include information on the dangers of air pollution, especially whilst sitting in heavy traffic, and to promote the health benefits of more physical activity etc. as outlined in recommendation 6 above. The Communications Strategy should also contain details of AIRTEXT, LONDON AIR and CITYTEXT, in order that residents are aware of  details of when there are poor air quality days, and also to inform drivers that on poor air quality days, they should not drive/restrict the use of vehicles to a minimum

8.    Through traffic – Investigate a borough wide neighbourhood cellular zoning policy to reduce rat-running and overall traffic volumes

9.    Officer Forum – Given that the work on air quality is often fragmented across different Council departments, an Officer Forum should be established, in order to more effectively co-ordinate the work on air quality, and that the establishment and implementation of new strategies be referred to the Executive/relevant Executive Member/s for approval

10.  Wood Burning – Educate residents about the dangers of wood burning stoves and open fires, and the impact that these can have on air quality

        (b)  That, subject to the revisions to the recommendations above, the report be

              approved and referred to the Executive for consideration

The Chair thanked Ian Sandford for attending