Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure presented a report setting out the progress that has been made followingthe Government’s response to Greater Manchester’sOutline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen DioxideExceedances at the Roadside and the implications of pandemic management policies (theextent of which are not yet fully understood) for the 10Greater Manchester local authorities in relation tothe schedule of work and statutory consultation on theClean Air Plan and the link to taxi and private hirecommon minimum licensing standards.

           Delegated decision:

1. Note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan;

2. Note the progress in the development of the Clean Commercial Vehicle and Hardship funds;

3. Note the initial funding award of £41m for clean vehicle funds to award grants or loans to eligible businesses;

4. Note the Government has accepted the need for vehicle replacement funds for Hackney Carriages, and Light Goods Vehicles, but has requested further development of shared evidence on the needs within that complex sector before responding and does not support the sustainable journeys measure.

5. Note that TfGM is seeking confirmation that the funding award for Bus Retrofit is a continuation of Clean Bus Technology Funds to be distributed as soon as possible as per previous arrangements;

6. Note the government will not support electric vehicle charging infrastructure through Clean Air monies but have committed to work with GM on securing funding from OLEV;

7. Agree the position that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as reasonably practicable;

8. Further agree the position that the GM Local Authorities’ decision to commence a public consultation should be taken once there is a clear timeframe for exiting lockdown and moving to the next phase of the COVID-19 response;

9. Note the implementation of a GM CAZ is delayed to 2022 with a revised implementation date to be confirmed in the consultation commencement report;

10. Note the DfT’s positioning paper “Decarbonising Transport – Setting the Challenge”;

11. Note the assessment of the possible impacts of COVID-19 to inform a technical briefing note for decision makers; and

12. Note that the GM local Authorities intend to consult on GM’s proposed MLS, alongside the Clean Air Plan consultation and agree the position for consultation, on when taxi/PHV fleets should be Zero Emission Capable.

Reasons for the decision:

This report provides an update which is being provided to all GM Authorities, regarding the GM Clean Air Plan. It asks for agreement to the proposals concerning the progress towards consultation on the plan, which will now include the private hire and hackney carriage Minimum Licensing Standards.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.