Decision details

To consider a Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Grover before its consideration by the County Council

10.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. 

DECISION

10.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to recommend that the County Council:  (1) notes the Government’s actions to:

1.    Develop and deliver a strategy and action plan to phase out the use of diesel by 2040, including measures to help the owners of these vehicles switch to clean vehicles and alternatives to driving

2.    Ensure that air pollution standards for new diesel vehicles are adhered to.

3.    Ensure local authorities have the powers and resources necessary to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles, including the power to ban diesel vehicles and new powers to control emissions from buses; and

(2) As there is no known safe limit for some pollutants, the Council will - working with others as necessary, including the Health & Wellbeing Board and the public, particularly those most affected by air pollution - continue to take action to further reduce pollution levels to at least recommended World Health Organisation levels, particularly in locations where there is a concentration of vulnerable people (e.g. around schools).”

Reasons

10.3     The Government is driving a strategy for improving air quality, alongside sustainable growth through a number of different strategies and approaches as set out in section 2 of the report. Whilst the majority of this is underpinned by European legislation, there is a commitment that this will remain following the UK’s departure from the EU.

10.4     The principles of the three elements of the Notice of Motion are supported with the exception of the ban on diesel vehicles by 2025, which would be challenging to deliver due to the cultural, industry and infrastructure issues described in paragraph 2.11 of the report. Therefore the Government’s time horizon for banning the sale of diesel vehicles by 2040 is more realistic. The County Council is actively contributing to these three elements by exploring the opportunities to develop measures which support cleaner, cheaper and easier travel, through the use of smart technology, the delivery of the improved travel choices which encourage public transport, walking and cycling and the development of a framework for the delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.