MJAC Founded 1928 Air Quality Update 3 rd October 2014 Walsall T

LAQM Review Launched in July 2013 Discussed at Regional Coordinators Meeting 2 nd August 2013 Consultation period closed 13 th September 2013 Summary of responses published 13 th December 2013 Update at Regional Coordinators Meeting 31 st January 2014 Defra Workshop 10 th September 2014

LAQM Review Aims Aim 1 – Local action is focused on what is necessary to support air quality improvements to benefit public health and to work towards EU air quality standards. or Consolidate Regulations Aligning 2 systems of AQ assessment – LAQM and national assessment for European Air Quality Standards – AURN Proposal - Simplify National Objectives: Out – 1,3 Butadiene, 15 min mean SO 2, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Lead In - PM2.5

LAQM Review Aims Aim 2 – Local gov’t and other stakeholders are clear on their roles and responsibilities and what they can do to help improve air quality Recognising many stakeholders with role – LA’s, County/Unitary authorities - transport & public health, HA, DfT, EA - PPC, DCLG – planning, Defra, PHE. Reserve powers in Localism Act allow gov’t to pass on EU infraction fines to LA and public bodies Proposal - Review need for additional guidance on these duties

LAQM Review Aims Aim 3 – Local authorities have simple reporting requirements with less bureaucracy and more time to concentrate on actions to improve air quality and public health Proposal –introduce regular annual report. Review arrangements for declaration & revocation of AQMAs. Out – Further Assessments, USA 3 year cycle, separate AQAP updates. In – plain English, public facing annual report focussed on actions undertaken to improve local AQ, relating to public health, but retaining technical aspects (monitoring results) for AQ practitioners, officials etc.

LAQM Review Aims Aim 4 – Local authorities have access to information on evidence based measures to support improvements in air quality including on transport and communications Or Revise/update official guidance Proposal - give LA’s information needed to fulfil duties i.e. evidence base of local measures to improve air quality, performance against indicators (reduction in emissions), practical and deliverable solutions, share best practice.

LAQM Review Options Option 1 – Business as usual, limited changes -Retain LAQM regs and 3 year reporting cycle. -Out – Further Assessment -Defra’s view – strong achievement with Aim 4 only Option 2 – Concentrate on Action Planning & Focused Reporting -As option 1 & reduced & more focused annual LAQM report. -Out - USA cycle. -Defra’s view – partial achievement with Aims 1, 2 and 3, strong achievement with Aim 4

LAQM Review Options Option 3 – Stronger alignment with EU requirements to meet AQ limit values -As option 2 plus amend AQ Standards Regs so LA’s work towards compliance with EU targets, no requirements to report on local hotspots outside of national assessment -Out – Detailed Assessments, AQMA’s. -Defra’s preferred option – strong achievement with all 4 aims Option 4 – Separate LAQM duties no longer exist -LAQM in Environment Act repealed. LA’s still have to take account of AQ when appraising transport and development proposals/policies. AQS amended as option 3. -Defra’s view – strong achievement of Aim 3 only.

LAQM Review Consultation Responses Available to download from tations/local-air-quality-management- in-england-review tations/local-air-quality-management- in-england-review 232 substantive responses and over 18,000 consultative s Summary presented at regional Coordinators Meeting 31 st January 2014 Options – ‘discussion points to generate debate’ (Robert Vaughn)

LAQM Review Consultation Responses Summary Aim 1 – Consolidate regulations Strong support for including a PM2.5 objective within LAQM but base on national assessment data rather than requiring LA’s with own assessment. Issues: -Statutory or voluntary duty on LA to reduce PM2.5 exposure? -Need to declare AQMA if outside existing AQMA? -How evaluate the impact of measures to reduce PM2.5?

LAQM Review Consultation Responses Summary Aim 2 – Clarify roles and responsibilities Strong support for clarification and encouraging other stakeholders to play their role Options: -Could clarify role (in guidance) for different authorities or even individuals -Could highlight role of those with control over emission sources (departments or authorities) -Could encourage sharing of best practice in cooperative working.

LAQM Review Consultation Responses Summary Aim 3 – Streamline reporting Strong support for simpler reporting, moving to a plain English annual report of local air quality. Suggested contents: -Written in plain English -Relate to local issues and lives -Evidence of what LA are doing -Technical report aspects for AQ practitioners, policy officials -Monitoring results/evidence based data where applicable -Commentary on local EU exceedances inc. PM2.5 Issues: - Frequency of report: 1, 2 or 3 yearly, mixture depending on degree of local AQ problem? - Level of detail – audience? - Some argued that a 3 yearly report would better fit with Transport Plan cycle

LAQM Review Consultation Responses Summary Aim 3 – Streamline reporting Strong support for retention of AQMA’s Issues: -Retain current process for declaring/revoking AQMA’s or allow a degree of flexibility? -Allow for PM2.5 to be tackled by LA’s without declaring separate AQMA? Aim 4 – Revise official guidance Issues: -How develop revised guidance in light of Smarter Guidance Review i.e. simpler, quicker, clearer for LA’s to understand and comply with obligations?

LAQM Review Next Steps Next steps proposed by Defra at Set up Project Board (Defra) to develop consultation & draft SI Hold extraordinary Regional Coordinators Meetings to field test ideas and solicit engagement (LA’s) Consider establishing a Steering Group (internal/external) to develop consultation Consult on regulatory changes and outline guidance mid-2014 Final Policy Decision in 2015

LAQM Review Workshop 10 th September 2014 Topic 1 – Promoting Action Qu’s - How can we get more action on the ground to tackle air quality? What are the barriers…? How do we communicate need for action more effectively? Topic 2 – Streamlining reporting requirements -Remove USA, DA, FA, PR, AQAP PR replace with single report, retain AQAP. Can we ID any additional streamlining measures? Topic 3 – Amending pollutants for reporting purposes - LA no longer reporting on 1,3 Butadiene, Lead etc. Adding in PM2.5 LA responsibility without adding extra burden.

LAQM Review Workshop 10 th September 2014 Topic 4 – Clarifying roles and responsibilities Qu’s. Do you have examples of where joint working between authorities or across tiers has been effective? What practical changes to LAQM guidance would you like to see to clarify roles? Topic 5 – Joining up national and local requirements Most divided opinions from consultation responses. Defra not proposing to consolidate LAQM & EU regs. Waiting for a copy of responses collated during the workshop from Defra as at

Air Quality Update to EPUK Development Control: Planning for Air Quality (2010) Meeting of air quality technical group members in new year -Please get in contact if you would like to attend -Ideas for discussion and for future updates Useful websites for AQ news: s.aspxhttp:// s.aspx