Ann McGauran 22 January 2020

NLGN study highlights concerns over air quality

Unitaries are much less likely than Metropolitan councils and London boroughs to consider taking action on air quality as ‘extremely or very important’, the latest quarterly NLGN leadership index survey has found.

All respondents from Metropolitan councils and London boroughs said taking action on air quality is ‘extremely or very important’, compared to only 59% of  those from unitaries.

More than half (51.2%) of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that they have enough powers and resources to improve air quality in their area.

Respondents from independent-led councils are the most optimistic about having adequate resources and powers to improve air quality while almost three quarters of respondents from Labour-led councils disagreed.

Four out of 10 respondents from the North East said they have enough powers and resources to improve local air quality, compared to 8% and 11% respectively in the South East and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The most significant barriers to improving air quality were identified as a lack of resources (25%), competing priorities (24%); and limited decision-making powers (20%). Other key barriers mentioned included the ‘lack of Government direction as to who is leading and has responsibility’.

Concerns were also raised about poor coordination across tiers and agencies. One view was that the ‘system is set up to fail’, with ‘significant issues’ in two-tier areas as air quality is monitored by districts while counties have powers over transport issues.

Senior policy researcher at NLGN Pawda Tjoa said: ‘ Government has signalled its awareness of this issue through the air quality targets it has placed locally. Now it urgently needs to trust and support councils to do their bit to tackle local pollution and actually meet these targets.

‘Not only should it commit resources, but it should give local places the freedom to try new, innovative ways to reduce congestion and clean up the air their residents breathe.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner