Agenda item

The Public Health Programme Officer introduced a report regarding the work undertaken by the Public Health and Environmental Quality teams over the past 12 months in relation to air quality in Slough.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, the Chair invited comments and questions from Members.

During the course of the discussion, the following points were raised:

• It was noted that the Council’s vehicle fleet was due to be expanded during 2020 to a total of 20, all of which would all be electric.  A Member asked how many electric vehicles the Council currently operated and what target had been set to replace the fleet with electric vehicles.  It was reported that the Council currently operated five electric vehicles and this would be increasing to 20 over the next few months. 
• A Member asked what size of housing development would be required to provide electric vehicle charging points.  It was explained that individual residential properties would not be required to provide charging points, but a block of flats would be expected to provide a minimum of 10% provision. 
• Referring to section 6.4.3 of the report, it was queried if the Council encouraged staff to park in public car parks or on nearby public highways.  It was explained that staff were currently still able to park at Montem Car Park and walk to Observatory House.  Council Staff were also able to use Hershel Car Park and there was provision at Hatfield Car Park available for  use at a subsidised rate.
• It was noted that a Clean Air Zone Feasibility Study was due to commence imminently, and the total cost of the study would be approximately £100,000.  It was asked what the study would entail and how it would be carried out.  It was explained that the study would encompass a number of elements, including a transport assessment.  It was agreed that additional information regarding the study would be circulated to the Panel.
• It was suggested that the Environmental Strategic Board should seek to engage with the public and voluntary organisations to encourage ‘ownership’ of the Council’s clean air initiatives.  It was confirm that community engagement and co-design would be encouraged and these were vital to the success of the Council’s work on air quality, climate change and environmental issues.
• It was asked how data was gathered using the AirTEXT system and how this information was communicated to residents.  It was explained that the data was collected through monitoring stations which recorded the prevailing air pollution levels over a 72 hour period and then provided an alert to residents who had signed up to the system.  Alerts were provided either via text message, email or telephone.  The alerts also recommended actions residents should undertake to avoid air pollution.
• It was highlighted that vehicle pollution was a major contributor to air pollution in Slough.  It was asked what could be done to reduce vehicle congestion in Slough.  In response, it was explained that there were a number of initiatives that could be implemented to mitigate vehicle pollution, including establishing Low Emission Zones, encouraging less use of vehicles and the uptake of alternative modes of transport such as walking and cycling.  The public health approach encouraged behavioural change; whilst the implementation of Clean Air Zones and charges for entering these designated areas would deter vehicles from travelling through the borough. 
• A Member asked if the Clean Air Day planned to take place on 8^th October 2020 would still be going ahead.  It was explained that the day had originally been scheduled to take place in June 2020, however due to the Covid-19 pandemic the event had been postponed until October 2020.  If the October event was cancelled, a localised Slough Clean Air Day would be arranged.
• In relation to air quality, a Member asked what futures plans there were to improve pollution level in Slough in order to protect the health of residents.  It was explained that monitoring was undertaken continually and year-on-year there had been an improvement to the air quality in Slough.  Implementation of targeted schemes and strategies would assist improvement; however, the reduction of car use and the greater use of sustainable modes of travel were the most effective ways of improving air quality.  One of the programmes within the Low Emissions Strategy was to improve the cycle infrastructure in Slough. 
• It was asked if GPs utilised the AirTEXT system.  It was explained that AirTEXT had been linked to clinical referral pathways and work was underway with the Clinical Commissioning Group to explore the possibility of automatically signing residents with long-term health conditions up to the AirTEXT alert system. Further work to resolve issues in relation to data sharing needed to be undertaken.  Over the next few months the Public Health Team would be working to improve links between AirTEXT and primary health care providers.
• A Member asked when the Urban Tree Challenge Project would commence.  It was reported that the project had begun and the Council’s web page provided full details in relation to the initiative.  A Member requested that details of the number of trees planted in each ward be provided to the Panel.

The Chair then invited Councillor Strutton to address the Panel under Rule 30.

Councillor Strutton expressed disappointment that the Clean Air Zones would not include the M4, A4 and Junction 7.  He suggested that the digital displays located at each junction be used to raise awareness of the air quality in Slough.  He highlighted that the air quality rating was currently ‘moderate’ and this was during the lockdown period whilst there were fewer aeroplanes operating.  He asked if bus lanes would be used as ‘green highways’ open for all zero emission vehicles to travel on.  He raised concern regarding the level of traffic congestion and the movement of large vehicles travelling through Slough.

In response, it was explained that it was not necessary to designate an entire area as a Clean Air Zone; rather the designation of a small section off each junction would deter vehicles travelling through the area.  As part of the Clean Air Zone Feasibility Study further work would be undertaken to understand the impact of the proposals on traffic flows and air quality.  With regard to air quality monitoring, it was explained that monitoring was carried out across the borough and Annex D of the report set out all of the monitoring locations throughout Slough.  In relation to the operation of aeroplanes from Heathrow, it was reported that the Public Health Team had submitted comments relating to health impacts, as part of the Council’s response to the consultation on the expansion of the airport.

The Chair thanked the Public Health Programme Officer and the Technical Officer – Air Quality and Noise for the update.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Public Health Programme Officer and Technical Officer - Air Quality and Noise, be requested to circulate responses to the outstanding queries raised, as detailed above.

(c)  That the Panel endorsed the following objectives set out in the report and agreed that these would be reviewed annually:

·  Promote modal shift at all possible opportunities

·  Protect residents with long term health conditions through AirText

·  Encourage residents to consider the shift away from diesel

·  Establish an ‘Environmental Strategic Board’ to drive the Council’s work on air quality, climate change and environmental issues.