Agenda item

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan

 

Council notes that poor air quality in Greater Manchester is contributing to the deaths of 1200 people a year in the City Region. Council further notes that – following the loss of a legal case in 2015 – Government has instructed a number of authorities including Trafford to act to improve air quality. We recognise that this is a concerning public health issue and that action is required to protect the health of local residents.

 

As a result of this, and following extensive modelling work to develop an approach that would achieve compliant levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions locally, the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester are under a Ministerial Direction from the Secretary of State to introduce a CAZ C Clean Air Zone across the 10 districts including Trafford. This means that Trafford must implement the Zone unless the Secretary of State resolves otherwise, and that in accordance with section 9 of the Ministerial Direction no deviation can be made to the parameters of this Zone unless made by the Secretary of State.

 

Council is aware that the 10 Greater Manchester councils commissioned work through Transport for Greater Manchester late last year to look at issues in the global supply chain that have become clear in recent months. Particular challenges arising from the pandemic have impacted on the supply of new vehicles, with for example harsher lockdowns in a number of countries having a significant impact on the manufacturing sector. This has necessarily impacted on the price of compliant second hand vehicles, with price increases of as much as 60% as a result.

 

Council is fearful that these supply chain issues could result in the owners of LGVs and Hackney Carriages being unable to transition their fleet, and consequently in the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester being potentially unable to achieve compliance with their Ministerial Direction. This Direction requires Trafford to achieve legal levels in terms of nitrogen dioxide in the shortest time possible and by 2024 at the latest.

 

It is clear therefore that an urgent review of policy is required to enable Trafford and the other 9 boroughs to have confidence in their ability to meet their legal requirements.

 

In light of this Council resolves that:

 

-       The Secretary of State should accede to Greater Manchester’s request and authorise a pause to the opening of the LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Financial Support Fund scheduled for the end of this month.

-       The Secretary of State should undertake an urgent policy review supported by Greater Manchester leaders and officials to ensure that any scheme that comes forward provides sufficient financial support to those LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers who need to transition to compliant vehicles.

-       The Secretary of State must ensure that this review fully reflects the more challenging market conditions that Greater Manchester has identified and accordingly ensure that sufficient funding is available for Trafford businesses and residents to upgrade their vehicles.

 

Council believes that the above measures are critical in order to give certainty that we can meet our legal obligation to achieve compliance in terms of nitrogen dioxide emissions. Without them, we fear that there is a very real possibility that the Clean Air Plan will be unsuccessful in this aim.

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“Council notes that poor air quality in Greater Manchester is contributing to the deaths of 1200 people a year in the City Region. Council further notes that – following the loss of a legal case in 2015 – Government has instructed a number of authorities including Trafford to act to improve air quality. We recognise that this is a concerning public health issue and that action is required to protect the health of local residents.

 

As a result of this, and following extensive modelling work to develop an approach that would achieve compliant levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions locally, the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester are under a Ministerial Direction from the Secretary of State to introduce a CAZ C Clean Air Zone across the 10 districts including Trafford. This means that Trafford must implement the Zone unless the Secretary of State resolves otherwise, and that in accordance with section 9 of the Ministerial Direction no deviation can be made to the parameters of this Zone unless made by the Secretary of State.

 

Council is aware that the 10 Greater Manchester councils commissioned work through Transport for Greater Manchester late last year to look at issues in the global supply chain that have become clear in recent months. Particular challenges arising from the pandemic have impacted on the supply of new vehicles, with for example harsher lockdowns in a number of countries having a significant impact on the manufacturing sector. This has necessarily impacted on the price of compliant second hand vehicles, with price increases of as much as 60% as a result.

 

Council is fearful that these supply chain issues could result in the owners of LGVs and Hackney Carriages being unable to transition their fleet, and consequently in the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester being potentially unable to achieve compliance with their Ministerial Direction. This Direction requires Trafford to achieve legal levels in terms of nitrogen dioxide in the shortest time possible and by 2024 at the latest.

 

It is clear therefore that an urgent review of policy is required to enable Trafford and the other 9 boroughs to have confidence in their ability to meet their legal requirements.

 

In light of this Council resolves that:

 

-     The Secretary of State should accede to Greater Manchester’s request and authorise a pause to the opening of the LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Financial Support Fund scheduled for the end of this month.

-     The Secretary of State should undertake an urgent policy review supported by Greater Manchester leaders and officials to ensure that any scheme that comes forward provides sufficient financial support to those LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers who need to transition to compliant vehicles.

-     The Secretary of State must ensure that this review fully reflects the more challenging market conditions that Greater Manchester has identified and accordingly ensure that sufficient funding is available for Trafford businesses and residents to upgrade their vehicles.

 

Council believes that the above measures are critical in order to give certainty that we can meet our legal obligation to achieve compliance in terms of nitrogen dioxide emissions. Without them, we fear that there is a very real possibility that the Clean Air Plan will be unsuccessful in this aim.”

 

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

 

“Council notes that poor air quality in Greater Manchester is contributing to the deaths of 1200 people a year in the City Region. Council further notes that – following the loss of a legal case in 2015 – Government has instructed a number of authorities including Trafford to act to improve air quality. We recognise that this is a concerning public health issue and that action is required to protect the health of local residents.

 

As a result of this, and following extensive modelling work to develop an approach that would achieve compliant levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions locally, the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester are under a Ministerial Direction from the Secretary of State to introduce a CAZ C Clean Air Zone across the 10 districts including Trafford. This means that Trafford must implement the Zone unless the Secretary of State resolves otherwise, and that in accordance with section 9 of the Ministerial Direction no deviation can be made to the parameters of this Zone unless made by the Secretary of State.

 

Council is aware that the 10 Greater Manchester councils commissioned work through Transport for Greater Manchester late last year to look at issues in the global supply chain that have become clear in recent months. Particular challenges arising from the pandemic have impacted on the supply of new vehicles, with for example harsher lockdowns in a number of countries having a significant impact on the manufacturing sector. This has necessarily impacted on the price of compliant second hand vehicles, with price increases of as much as 60% as a result.

 

Council is fearful that these supply chain issues could result in the owners of LGVs and Hackney Carriages being unable to transition their fleet, and consequently in the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester being potentially unable to achieve compliance with their Ministerial Direction. This Direction requires Trafford to achieve legal levels in terms of nitrogen dioxide in the shortest time possible and by 2024 at the latest.

 

It is clear therefore that an urgent review of policy is required to enable Trafford and the other 9 boroughs to have confidence in their ability to meet their legal requirements.

 

In light of this Council resolves that:

 

-     The Secretary of State should accede to Greater Manchester’s request and authorise a pause to the opening of the LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Financial Support Fund scheduled for the end of this month.

-     The Secretary of State should undertake an urgent policy review supported by Greater Manchester leaders and officials to ensure that any scheme that comes forward provides sufficient financial support to those LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers who need to transition to compliant vehicles.

-     The Secretary of State must ensure that this review fully reflects the more challenging market conditions that Greater Manchester has identified and accordingly ensure that sufficient funding is available for Trafford businesses and residents to upgrade their vehicles.

 

This Council is committed to giving every resident the genuinely clean air they deserve as fast as possible. As such we resolve to:

 

-     Implement the clean air zone on the existing schedule, despite changing the timings on the funds.

-     Push for a faster roll-out of safe walking and cycling routes.

-     Implement 20mph speed limits where people live. 

-     Implement a rapid expansion of school streets initiatives.

-     Maintain and expand the A56 cycle lanes and engage with communities to support changes in habits. 

-     Support and encourage alternative means of transport within cities such as electric cargo bikes, and vehicle sharing.

-     Ensure large and effective signs are placed near our 3 level crossings, and other idling hotspots to ask people to avoid idling.

-     Work with Transport for Greater Manchester and bus companies to reduce idling from school buses and buses waiting elsewhere.

 

Council calls on the government to:

 

(i)     introduce a new Clean Air Act with strict new laws to protect our air; and

(ii)    set up a new Environmental Protection Commission to enforce those laws.

 

Council believes that the above measures are critical in order to give certainty that we can meet our legal obligation to achieve compliance in terms of nitrogen dioxide emissions. Without them, we fear that there is a very real possibility that the Clean Air Plan will be unsuccessful in this aim.”

 

(Note: During the debate on the Amendment, the time being 8:51 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches on this matter would now be limited to a maximum of one minute 30 seconds per speaker.)

 

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared lost. The Council continued to debate the substantive Motion before it was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

RESOLVED: That Council notes that poor air quality in Greater Manchester is contributing to the deaths of 1200 people a year in the City Region. Council further notes that – following the loss of a legal case in 2015 – Government has instructed a number of authorities including Trafford to act to improve air quality. We recognise that this is a concerning public health issue and that action is required to protect the health of local residents.

 

As a result of this, and following extensive modelling work to develop an approach that would achieve compliant levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions locally, the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester are under a Ministerial Direction from the Secretary of State to introduce a CAZ C Clean Air Zone across the 10 districts including Trafford. This means that Trafford must implement the Zone unless the Secretary of State resolves otherwise, and that in accordance with section 9 of the Ministerial Direction no deviation can be made to the parameters of this Zone unless made by the Secretary of State.

 

Council is aware that the 10 Greater Manchester councils commissioned work through Transport for Greater Manchester late last year to look at issues in the global supply chain that have become clear in recent months. Particular challenges arising from the pandemic have impacted on the supply of new vehicles, with for example harsher lockdowns in a number of countries having a significant impact on the manufacturing sector. This has necessarily impacted on the price of compliant second hand vehicles, with price increases of as much as 60% as a result.

 

Council is fearful that these supply chain issues could result in the owners of LGVs and Hackney Carriages being unable to transition their fleet, and consequently in the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester being potentially unable to achieve compliance with their Ministerial Direction. This Direction requires Trafford to achieve legal levels in terms of nitrogen dioxide in the shortest time possible and by 2024 at the latest.

 

It is clear therefore that an urgent review of policy is required to enable Trafford and the other 9 boroughs to have confidence in their ability to meet their legal requirements.

 

In light of this Council resolves that:

 

-     The Secretary of State should accede to Greater Manchester’s request and authorise a pause to the opening of the LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Financial Support Fund scheduled for the end of this month.

-     The Secretary of State should undertake an urgent policy review supported by Greater Manchester leaders and officials to ensure that any scheme that comes forward provides sufficient financial support to those LGV, taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers who need to transition to compliant vehicles.

-     The Secretary of State must ensure that this review fully reflects the more challenging market conditions that Greater Manchester has identified and accordingly ensure that sufficient funding is available for Trafford businesses and residents to upgrade their vehicles.

 

Council believes that the above measures are critical in order to give certainty that we can meet our legal obligation to achieve compliance in terms of nitrogen dioxide emissions. Without them, we fear that there is a very real possibility that the Clean Air Plan will be unsuccessful in this aim.

Supporting documents: