Agenda item

Hazel Agombar addressed the Committee on this item.

In summary, Hazel Agombar made reference to the following points which were responded to accordingly by the Cabinet Member and relevant officers:

·       Wished to address the committee as a resident but worked for the Environment Centre in Southampton and delivers a wood burning engagement programme to four local authorities, including Winchester. The project raises awareness of the health impacts of wood smoke burning.

·       Considered that neighbourhoods throughout the district were air pollution hotspots due to the growing trend for log burners, which contained particulate matter, tiny bits of soot and dust which can be inhaled into the lungs causing inflammation and harm.

·       Public awareness of the dangers caused by woodsmoke is very low with the stove industry pushing the message that modern stoves are a cheaper and greener way of heating the home which is untrue. Even eco stoves are 450 times more polluting than a gas boiler.

·       Residents aware of the dangers fear speaking out so suffer the effects of neighbouring properties using wood burners in silence.

·       Urged the council for strong leadership on this matter to protect residents who suffer from wood smoke pollution and prioritise awareness of the harm caused by wood burning stoves.

The Cabinet Member for Place and Local Plan introduced the item which provided an update on air quality which had continually been monitored by Winchester across the district for over a decade, where the council’s ambitious air quality targets were a key part of the living well agenda. The committee were reminded that an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was in place throughout Winchester city centre where air quality levels were worse than in other areas of the district.

The committee noted that the council are leading Hampshire in the development of an Air Quality Strategy (AQS) for the whole district, with the area of works led by both the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and the Cabinet Member for Place and Local Plan.  An AQS had been commissioned following meetings of the cross-party steering group, comprising of members from all parties and stakeholders from WinACC, the Business Improvement District (BID), a representative from the Director of Public Health and relevant officers. The views of the committee on the AQS, currently out for consultation, were welcomed.

The Service Lead: Public Protection gave a presentation which set out the current position in the review of the air quality for Winchester, an overview of the AQS and the process towards adopting the AQS going forward.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and comment on the following matters which were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, the Cabinet Member for Place and Local Plan and the Service Lead: Public Protection.

(a)      A question was asked about the potential health benefits of reducing    PM2.5 levels from 10 to 5, specifically regarding the decrease in       cardiovascular hospital admissions and heart failure rates. Further clarification was sought on the inclusion of PM1 in the strategy,   considering its impact on climate change.

(b)      Clarification was sought on the effectiveness of electric vehicles in     reducing PM2.5 emissions, particularly through regenerative braking          and the impact of tire wear.

(c)      A question was raised about the current electric vehicle charging       infrastructure, including the availability and funding of rapid chargers in          Winchester.

(d)      Further clarification was requested on the communication strategies in         place to inform the public about air quality issues, particularly regarding   wood burners and how councillors could help amplify these messages.

(e)      A question was asked about the sources of air pollution in Winchester,         including the relative contributions of transport emissions, domestic      and commercial boilers, and agricultural activities.

(f)       Clarification was sought on the potential for engaging with local       communities, such as parish councils and schools, to expand the air quality monitoring network using low-cost monitoring stations.

(g)      A question was raised about the possibility of securing funding for air          quality monitoring equipment through community infrastructure levy       (CIL)   funding or other sources.

(h)      Further clarification was requested on the involvement of the Director   of Public Health in the preparation of the Air Quality Strategy and the    extent of their influence on the measures implemented.

(i)       A question was asked about the feasibility of declaring a smoke control          area in Winchester, including the legislative requirements and potential           impact on residents who rely on wood-burning stoves.

(j)       Clarification was sought on the current regulations and enforcement related to bonfires in the district, including the extent of the problem         and any potential hotspots.

At the conclusion of debate, the committee thanked officers and Cabinet Members for the work undertaken and an informative presentation.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the report and presentation be received, and the comments         raised by the committee, as summarised above, be noted.