Issue - meetings

It was recommended to the WMCA Board that:

(1)  The content of the report and its appendices be noted.

(2)  The comments made by committee in relation to the strategy be noted.

The committee considered a report from the Head of Environment on the progress of the West Midlands Low Emission Strategy and action plan. Further to previous concerns expressed by the committee. The Head of Environment advised that a steering group had been established and would be meeting to finalise the development and implementation plan.

Councillor Liz Clements drew attention to the work being undertaken in Birmingham City Council to introduce a Clean Air Strategy for Birmingham. She stressed the need to add value to the work being undertaken by other West Midland Local Authorities which would help to support a wider regional strategy. She also highlighted the need to set more ambitious targets in comparison to the World Health Organisation and EU standards. The Chair also reminded members and the Head of Environment of the committee’s previous recommendation (made following the Mayor’s Policy Question Time) that further regional resources were required for data collection, and the Combined Authority could provide a lead, and also a strategic role in this.

Councillor Joe Tildesley requested that the Head of Environment provide an ambitious 12 month plan with anticipated outcomes and achievements set out in the strategy. This would then allow scrutiny of achievements against targets and maintain accountability of individual officers and portfolio holder.

The committee considered that it would be more appropriate for the strategy to be referred to as an ‘Air Quality Strategy’ due to its wider brief. The committee further requested input into the development of the strategy prior to being approved by WMCA Board.

It was recommended to the WMCA Board that:

(1)  The content of the report and its appendices be noted.

(2)  The comments made by committee in relation to the strategy be noted.