URL: https://sandwell.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1160

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Adoption of Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan following consultation and approval for submission to Defra.

Content: Approval was sought to adopt the Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan and its submission to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following consultation.   The Air Quality Action Plan was produced as part of the Council’s statutory duty to work towards Air Quality Strategy objectives as required by The Environment Act 1995 (Part IV) and to meet the requirements of the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) statutory process. Air pollution had been a longstanding problem in Sandwell and in 2005 the Council declared a borough wide Air Quality Management Area.   Reason for Decision The current Air Quality Action Plan was adopted by the Council on 23 March 2021 and subsequently accepted by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Local Air Quality Management team. Ongoing monitoring and reporting, specific projects and educational and engagement campaigns/activities had taken place since it was adopted.   A draft updated Air Quality Action Plan was made available in late June 2025. Along with the consultants involved in developing the technical aspects of the update work, a steering group had informed the process of revealing the issues involved and determining potential courses of action to improve air quality. The range of actions was formally consulted upon between 11 August and 29 September 2025, therefore the draft Air Quality Action Plan was made available to the public and other stakeholders. The draft Air Quality Action Plan was also sent to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who responded with requests for minimal changes to be made to the document. Having now updated the Air Quality Action Plan in response to the public consultation, approval to adopt the Air Quality Action Plan was therefore being sought from Sandwell Council’s Cabinet, along with its submission to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.   Alternative Options Considered There were no alternative options because Sandwell Council had a statutory duty to have an Sandwell Air Quality Action Plan and was required to produce it using the process prescribed by Defra. The process involved a consultation exercise to ensure that the measures proposed in the Sandwell Air Quality Action Plan could be amended where necessary and were generally supported by stakeholders.   Resolved:-   (1)          that approval is given for the adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan;   (2)          that delegated authority is given to the Director of Public Health to submit the Air Quality Action Plan to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by 31 December 2025.    

Date of Decision: December 10, 2025