Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Air Quality Strategy 2025-2030

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on Air Quality Strategy 2025-2030.

Poor air quality was one of the largest risks to public health and DEFRA required all Local Authorities to produce an Air Quality Strategy. The purpose of this was to ensure air quality was at the forefront of Council decision making whilst also protecting the health and well-being of those who live and visit our borough.

Within Stockton-on-Tees, Environmental Health were responsible for monitoring the levels of air quality using two automatic sites and 15 diffusion tubes strategically placed throughout the Borough in areas of high volumes of traffic or in locations where concern about the air quality had been raised. The Air Quality levels within Stockton-on-Tees were better than the national standard which meant the Council did not need more stringent measures seen in other areas of the country such as Air Quality Management Areas. In fact, over the past five years, since 2019, there had been continuous improvement in air quality levels each of the monitoring locations. 

Even though the Council was seeing improvements locally, it was known there was more to do to protect local communities. The purpose of the report was for Cabinet to approval of the draft Air Quality Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees which would be in place from 2025 until 2030. The strategy contained 42 measures which aimed to improve air quality levels further, whilst encouraging behavioural changes from Council operations, residents, businesses and visitors to the Borough.

RESOLVED that the draft Air Quality Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees 2025-2030 be approved.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The production of the Stockton-on-Tees Air Quality Strategy was mandatorily brought forward by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to coincide with the requirement to report in to central government annually for local air quality standards. This reporting is issued via the Annual Status Report (ASR) and are a key part of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). This annual report is submitted to the government each year at the end of May.

The production of the Air Quality Strategy aims to improve local air quality standards and as such continue to make Stockton-on-Tees a great place to live, work and visit - a Borough that residents can be proud of. It will be a vibrant and diverse place with an environment that is well looked after and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

The adoption of the Air Quality Strategy will improve local air quality for the benefit of all residents, businesses and visitors of the borough alike.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, Friday, 25 July 2025