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11.1
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The committee considered a
report of the Executive Director City Futures providing an update
on the Clean Air Plan including the bus retrofit performance issues
and the development of a proposal for clean air
investment.
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11.1.1
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A member of the committee
referred to a report in the press about the Fargate area of the city and the air quality levels
still being poor and asked if this was the case. Officers explained
that this had not previously been an area of concern and offered to
check the data and provide a written response.
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11.1.2
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During the discussion of the above item the
Committee agreed, in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, that
as the meeting was approaching the two hours and 30 minutes time
limit, the meeting should be extended by a period of 30 minutes
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11.1.3
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Councillor Saeed left the meeting.
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11.2
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RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the
Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-
• Endorses the continued liaison with HM
Government for greater financial support to deliver zero emission
bus fleet ambitions in Sheffield to mitigate the impacts resulting
from the performance uncertainty and delay relating to the
Department of Transports (DfT) bus retrofit programme (see section
3.2) and the predicated effect this will have on achieving legal
air quality limits within the shortest possible time (as per our
Ministerial Direction),
• Endorses the proposed approach to clean
air investment planning, and note that further development will
continue,
• Endorses the proposal to commit an
initial £1m of CAZ surplus income to accelerate air quality
improvement initiatives around schools and improve air quality for
children traveling to school, as described in section 3.1, and note
that officers will keep members of the committee informed of the
development of the initiatives.
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11.3
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Reasons for
Decision
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11.3.1
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Our modelling (approved by Government) at OBC
and FBC stage included showed that all buses in Sheffield and those
on key routes in Rotherham needed to be a minimum of Euro VI
standard equivalent to achieve nitrogen dioxide legal limits in the
shortest possible time as per our Ministerial Direction.
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11.3.2
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Therefore, achieving reduced emissions from
scheduled buses is a material part of our Directed scheme,
fundamental to achieving compliance with legal limits and continued
liaison with HM Government to secure greater financial support to
provide funding and solutions to reduce bus emissions and
transition to a zero-emission bus fleet in Sheffield is
critical.
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11.3.3
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As set out in this and the December 2023
committee report a cautionary approach will be taken to expenditure
of CAZ surplus income to ensure sufficient funds are retained to
cover life-cycle operation costs and any further mitigating
activities required to achieve legal nitrogen dioxide limits across
the city. However, it is important that there is continued
investment in complimentary activities to reduce traffic emissions
and improve air quality.
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11.3.4
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The recommendations for initial investment
build on existing, successful schemes enabling these to be expanded
to benefit school children and communities across Sheffield.
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11.4
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Alternatives
Considered and Rejected
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11.4.1
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The parameters for use of CAZ
income are described in section 3.1 and 6.3 of this report. Options
for investment of CAZ surplus must meet the legislative purposes
set out in the CSO Clean Air Zone Charging Scheme Order | Sheffield
City Council. Options that do not meet the legislative key criteria
cannot be considered.
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11.4.2
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As described in section 3.0
eligible options are under development and will continue to be
reviewed with TRC members as work progresses. Options being
considered for further development include strategic infrastructure
projects that provide significant improvements to active travel,
public transport and complementary public realm and environmental
infrastructure (e.g. green walls).
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