To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

1.    That the Executive Cabinet agree the proposal involving a clean air strategy and formal consultation.

2.    That the Executive Member for Early Intervention be given delegated responsibility for approving the final proposal following the period of formal consultation, subject to there being no significant changes to those proposed within this report.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Director of Communities which seeks approval to consult upon the proposed draft clean air strategy and secure approval to publish via an Executive Member Decision.

Upon establishment of a resource to deliver the strategy and completion of the options appraisal for a new method of collecting data on air quality, a Member Learning Session on air quality will be delivered.

Chorley Council declared a climate emergency on the 19th November 2019 with the overarching goal of “rendering the borough carbon neutral by the year 2030”, 20 years ahead of the UK target of 2050. To enable this target to be met a Clean Air Strategy for Chorley has been drafted. The Strategy sets out a clear picture of the current state of air quality and monitoring practices in Chorley, our legal obligations as a council in monitoring air quality and the legislation which governs this.

Members welcomed the Air Quality Strategy and recognised the importance of engagement via the consultation. Therefore, it was proposed that maximum communications be delivered on this to ensure the consultation be circulated as widely as possible.

Decision:

1.    That the Executive Cabinet agree the proposal involving a clean air strategy and formal consultation.

2.    That the Executive Member for Early Intervention be given delegated responsibility for approving the final proposal following the period of formal consultation, subject to there being no significant changes to those proposed within this report.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

As part of the Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutral status by 2030 the Council needs to consider how to achieve this goal. The adoption of the proposed Clean Air Strategy, which seeks to improve air quality across the borough, would be essential in achieving carbon neutrality, as well as improving health outcomes for the residents of Chorley.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

There are no alternatives to the proposal as this would not address the Council’s commitment to look at the issue of air quality in more detail and demonstrate a commitment to improving air quality locally, the respiratory health of the residents of Chorley. In addition, the Council needs to adopt an Air Quality Strategy, to tie in with work at the national level.