Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend Full Council adopt the Air Quality Strategy.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Community, Safety and Wellbeing

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing introduced the report and explained that the draft strategy had been considered by Cabinet in February 2025, where the public consultation was approved. The Portfolio Holder was pleased to see that, despite LGR, 96 responses were received, and he thanked all respondents for their feedback. He also reported that the Air Quality Strategy had also been considered and supported by the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Environmental Protection Team Manager provided an overview of the report and explained that the Strategy had been developed by the Environmental Health team with support from colleagues throughout NFDC as well as partners in Hampshire County Council and the National Park Authority, the Environmental Centre and local industry. The consultation ran between March and May 2025. and it sought views on the draft Strategy, with particular focus on the six priority areas identified within the Strategy as well as general views on air quality. Feedback was generally supportive of the Strategy and the proposed process to implement measures to continue to identify and improve air quality going forward. The main concerns raised related to planned development and transport, providing clearer public information on local air quality and developing collaborative working to include the public and the Council’s partners. The consultation resulted in only minor changes to the Strategy, and these were noted within the appendices to the report. The feedback will help the Council steer decision making on air quality going forward with some public involvement when plans are developed.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy welcomed the report and highlighted the various ways that local air quality can be impacted and encouraged individuals to consider how they may affect local air quality.

A non-Cabinet member agreed that any strategies undertaken by the Council should be cost-effective but that there should be consideration of the wider impact on matters such as health, wellbeing and service delivery. He acknowledged that certain matters identified within the Strategy were not within the Council’s control and hoped that more funding streams may arise to better support things like public transport.