Norfolk Countywide Air Quality Group

Terms of reference

Air quality is an important factor in human health, with both short-term and long-term expose to air pollution linked to numerous health issues and reduced life-expectancy.

Types of air pollution include Particulate Matter (PM10/PM2.5) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Ammonia (NH3), Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2). Key sources of air pollution include road transport, energy generation and industrial processes, and domestic burning.

It is recognised that Local Authorities across Norfolk need to work together to tackle air quality issues, as air pollutants do not respect borders, and some of the key causes of air pollution, such as emissions from transport – are cross- boundary by their nature. Equally, dealing with air pollution in key urban areas, such as Norwich, King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth can have positive impacts beyond the city/town boundary.

A group of representatives from Local Authorities, the NHS and the Environment Agency within Norfolk has been set up to develop a multi-authority approach to tackling poor air quality within the Norfolk area.

These representatives comprise officers from:

• Breckland District Council
• Broadland District Council
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council
• Kings Lynn Borough Council
• Norfolk County Council
• Norwich City Council
• North Norfolk District Council
• South Norfolk District Council
• West Norfolk Borough Council
• NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
• Environment Agency

Aims

The aims of the group are:

• To produce a positive change to air quality from transport and other sources.
• To develop better education of all Norfolk residents regarding the effects of emissions on human health and the wider environment.
• Commit to working as a team to consider air quality as a cross boundary issue.
• Commit to working with stakeholders to develop and implement projects.
• Identify joint funding opportunities for delivering air quality projects.
• Improve air quality information available to members of the public.
• Collate data on air quality before, during and after projects.
• To review and collaborate on work plans for the upcoming year.
• Develop an improved process for discussion and sign off of annual Appraisal Summary Reports (ASRs).
• Evaluate the impact of air quality improvement projects and determine if they have been effective and appropriate to be adopted elsewhere.
• Share findings of projects with each other and interested parties

How will this be done?

All the member organisations will work collaboratively to investigate methods of dealing with air pollution, and to raise awareness of air quality issues, helping residents, communities and businesses to better understand how they can reduce their exposure to air pollution. This may be through specific projects and initiatives and trying to improve education on the health and environmental impacts of poor air quality. This will be conducted by working with colleagues, stakeholders and third parties.

The group will ordinarily meet three times per year to review priorities and progress and will consider the effectiveness of projects by evaluating monitoring data collated before, during and after the implementation of projects. By exception the group may also meet at other times for a specific purpose, for example to share feedback on a consultation or discuss a funding opportunity.

The group will also seek to raise awareness of air quality as a consideration within planning and economic development processes, to ensure that it does not prevent growth in the future.

The group will work with relevant internal departments (such as Trading Standards) and third parties to assist in facilitating projects. This could include:

• Academic institutions (e.g. University of East Anglia),
• Private sector passenger companies (bus, coach & rail companies and taxis firms),
• Freight haulage and distribution companies,
• Public Sector partners (e.g. Environment Agency, National Highways, Integrated Care Board),
• Car sharing and Car Club groups, and
• Schools.

This is not a statutory document. Nor is it intended to be legally binding on any member of the group. This document is intended to be a pledge showing that these organisations will work together to investigate and implement methods for improving air quality within Norfolk.

This group is not intended to be a replica of any other groups that are already in place and the effectiveness of the group will be regularly reviewed regularly.

21 September 2023