Issue - meetings

Portfolio Holder – Councillor John Cook

The report details the results of statutory consultation on the recommendations of the 2024 Detailed Assessment for air quality within Ipswich Borough.

The Detailed Assessment gives specifics of revising the designation of Air Quality Management Area No.1 following ongoing monitoring results within the town.

The report also includes the draft Air Quality Action Plan 2025 - 2030.

The report requests that Executive decides if the Assessment’s recommendations should be implemented in full via the authorisation of the appended Order and seeks authority to consult on the draft Action Plan.

73.1.     Councillor J Cook introduced the report which recommended the revocation of Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) No. 1 following the statutory consultation; there had been no instances of the statutory levels of air quality being exceeded in the last 5 years.

73.2.     In accordance with Part 4, Section 4, Paragraph 3.9 of the Constitution, the following question was asked:

Question 6 – Councillor Holmes

Given the proposed revocation of the AQMA 1 Order, has any consideration been given to the re-location of the continuous monitor in Chevallier Street?

73.3.     Councillor J Cook commented that any consideration would have been brief as the monitor was 18-19 years old and had been assessed as being near the end of its viable life; therefore, it was not sensible to relocate this monitor due to the costs of relocating it when it might then need to be replaced within a matter of months.

73.4.     In reference to the consultation response from a member of the public, Councillor Fisher welcomed the work being undertaken with Suffolk County Council and schools to tackle idling vehicles outside schools, and asked whether this work could be extended to other areas where idling could be an issue, for example, taxi ranks.

73.5.     Councillor J Cook commented that it was annoying to see vehicles generating noxious fumes unnecessarily and if drivers could be prevented from doing so, people could be living in a much cleaner town.

It was RESOLVED:

That Executive:

a)             Authorises the revocation of Ipswich AQMA No. 1 as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report.

Reason: To ensure the Council fulfils its statutory duty under the Environment Act 1995 and maintains an accurate record of air quality.

b)             Subject to a) above, authorises the Head of Legal to make the Ipswich Borough Council (Air Quality Management Area) (No. 1) Revocation Order 2025, in accordance with the draft Order in Appendix 1 of the report, to come into effect on 22 January 2025.

Reason: The Order is required to formally revoke AQMA No. 1.

c)             Subject to a) above, authorises the Head of Public Protection to take all necessary steps to publicise the authorised Order and to forward it to DEFRA and other statutory consultees.

Reason: To ensure the Council complies with current statutory guidance [LAQM.PG22].

d)             Authorises the Head of Public Protection to undertake consultation with the general public and statutory consultees on the content of the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) 2025-2030 in Appendix 6 of the report and requests that the outcome of the consultation be presented to Executive at a future date.

Reason: To ensure that the Council complies with statutory guidance [LAQM.PG22].