Decision details

To seek approval for the formal adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan and Smoke Control Order following public consultation.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the outcome from the public consultation on Harrow’s Draft Air Quality Action Plan, as set out in the officer’s report, be noted;

(2)            the Air Quality Action Plan be published;

(3)            the outcome from the public consultation on Harrow’s proposed Smoke Control Order, as set out in the officer’s report, be noted;

(4)            the Smoke Control Order be approved and the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised to take all further steps necessary to implement it, including consideration of any formal objections to it;

(5)            the civil penalty fine levels and process be approved, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the officer’s report, for breaches of the Smoke Control Order and the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised to implement these.

Reason for Decision:  Since 2002 the London Borough of Harrow had been classified as an Air Quality Management Area.  An AQMA was declared if a local authority found an area was unlikely to meet the national air quality objectives.  The vast majority of London was covered by an AQMA. Consequently, the Council had a statutory duty to monitor, report on and contribute to improving air quality in the borough.  This included the preparation of an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) every five years in addition to annual progress reports.

In September 2024 Cabinet approved the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for public consultation.  The consultation had closed on 25 January 2025 and a summary of the responses was included within this report.  Overall, survey respondents supported the proposed AQAP and recognised the importance of improving air quality in the borough.  Therefore, it was recommended that the AQAP should be formally adopted.

As records of Harrow’s previous Smoke Control Order (SCO) could not be found, the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recommended that the Council’s best option was to revoke and create a new SCO.  Cabinet approved the SCO for consultation in September 2024, the results of the which were summarised in this report.  The majority of respondents supported the order, and it was recommended that Cabinet formally adopt the new SCO and the associated civil penalties.