Following the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas in Ampthill and Sandy, a Draft Air Quality Action Plan has been produced.  The purpose of the report is to seek approval to carry out the required public consultation exercise.

1.         That the Director of Community Services be authorised to commence a public consultation regarding the Draft Air Quality Action Plan, as set out in Appendix A to the report, to ensure that Members, residents/businesses, relevant agencies/organisations and statutory consultees are consulted on the proposals.

2.         To request the Director of Community Services to report the outcome of the consultation to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a finalised Air Quality Action Plan for review and comment, before being approved by the Executive Member for Community Services.  The Air Quality Action Plan will make specific reference to existing declared Air Quality Management Areas in Sandy and Ampthill.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that sought approval of the draft Air Quality Action Plan for public consultation.  Monitoring of air quality had shown concentrations of nitrogen dioxide to be exceeding the Air Quality Objectives in Ampthill town centre and Sandy (adjacent to the A1).

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council meets its statutory objections in carrying out a public consultation on the draft Air Quality Action Plan and adopts a robust Plan to reduce key air pollutant concentrations in accordance with statutory requirements under the current Air Quality Framework.

RESOLVED

1.         that the Director of Community Services be authorised to commence a public consultation regarding the Draft Air Quality Action Plan, as set out in Appendix A to the report, to ensure that Members, residents/businesses, relevant agencies/organisations and statutory consultees are consulted on the proposals; and

2.         to request the Director of Community Services to report the outcome of the consultation to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a finalised Air Quality Action Plan for review and comment, before being approved by the Executive Member for Community Services.  The Air Quality Action Plan would make specific reference to existing declared Air Quality Management Areas in Sandy and Ampthill.

The decision was unanimous.