Decision details

Sheffield and Rotherham have been identified by the Government in its National Air Quality Plan as areas of exceedance for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) gas concentrations.

In order to comply with the European health based limits, the Joint Air Quality Unit (‘JAQU’) which is a setup of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (‘DEFRA’) and the Department for Transport (‘DfT’) has directed Local Authorities to lower the limits.

The Clean Air Zone (‘CAZ’) Feasibility Study covers Sheffield and Rotherham and the Council is leading the Study on behalf of both Local Authorities.

The JAQU has already paid Sheffield City Council (‘SCC’) a total grant of £550,000 (£450,000 in addition to the initial grant award of £100,000) in order to support the Feasibility Study Proposal to explore a range of measures to improve air quality within the city.

This report is to accept a further grant of £650,000 from the JAQU in order to complete our Feasibility Study Proposal.

The JAQU has been working closely with SCC and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (‘RMBC’) to submit the Feasibility Study by specified deadlines, as detailed in this report.

This Report is for SCC to accept and spend the additional £650,000 grant, noting that further grant funding may be made available by the JAQU in 2019 / 2020.

1.    To approve the additional Clean Air Zone (‘CAZ’) Feasibility Study Grant of £650,000 from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Transport; and

a)     to note the approval of the Executive Director of Resources for the Council to be the accountable body to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council;

b) to note the previous approval of delegation (Clean Air for Sheffield 21.11.2018) to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Development and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services to commence procurement for any necessary infrastructure, goods and services to implement the Clean Air Zone; and

2.   To delegate authority to the Executive Director, Place, and the Director of Financial and Commercial Services to agree contract terms and approve contract awards in accordance with all relevant provisions of the Council’s Constitution including Contracts Standing Orders and all applicable Procurement rules and the Leader’s Scheme of Delegations.

1.    The grant will provide an opportunity to prepare a plan to tackle the problem of high Nitrogen Dioxide levels. The reduction of the levels is required by The Environment Act 1995 (Feasibility Study for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2017.

2.    Accepting and spending the grant and undertaking the Feasibility Study will also engage partners, local businesses and the general public to address traffic-related emissions.

Not Applicable – The Council has been legally directed by the JAQU to undertake the Local Feasibility Study.