Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted in Part
Central government has not always got the balance right in how it works in partnership...
Recommendation
Central government has not always got the balance right in how it works in partnership with local government, having been prescriptive in some respects, while seeming to avoid responsibilities that naturally sit at a national level in others. The best approach to addressing air quality issues varies between areas according to local circumstances. Although Local Authorities have had the freedom to set different exemption criteria and different charging levels for Clean Air Zones, some feel that JAQU has been inflexible and lacks understanding of local politics, with too much emphasis placed on 6 Tackling local air quality breaches CAZs as the default option, instead of other measures that may be more suited to the area. On the other hand, government has not taken the responsibility it should for national messaging on the need for air quality measures, saying that local places were best placed to judge how to communicate with their residents, and so not introducing a national campaign. The experience of the Covid-19 pandemic shows that local communications need to be supported by a strong national message about why specific local actions are necessary. Recommendation: The government should review its approach to working with local authorities on air quality, to make it a more effective partnership. In particular, it should: • introduce a national communications campaign on air quality to provide a strong national message about the purpose of air quality measures that supports locally-tailored communications. • Ensure that local authorities have sufficient flexibility to determine the approach to be taken in their local area. In addition, government should provide a further update to the committee by the end of this year outlining what further steps are being taken to improve its working relationship with local authorities.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation. It states that local authorities are responsible for developing Clean Air Plans, with support from a dedicated account manager, and that each local authority has the flexibility to identify measures other than Clean Air Zones. They will write to the Committee by the end of February 2023 with a further update on how it is engaging with local authorities.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation approach in their area in consultation with their local communities. Under the NO programme, local authorities are responsible for developing their own Clean Air Plans. Throughout plan development, local authorities are supported by a dedicated account manager. Following a Clean Air Zone launch, the government carries out lessons learned exercises which include seeking feedback on the joint working relationship. For the government to assure itself it is meeting its obligation to ensure NO compliance in the shortest possible time, local authorities are required to benchmark their proposals against the delivery of a Clean Air Zone. Each local authority has the flexibility to identify measures other than Clean Air Zones; indeed, the Clean Air Zone Framework is clear that non-charging measures should be preferred if they will deliver compliance as quickly as charging. Under the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) requirements, the government also provides support to local authorities in carrying out their LAQM duties through a dedicated helpdesk and statutory policy and technical guidance. This provides a clear steer for local authorities while allowing them to determine the measures they take and how they communicate in line with local priorities. Following the strengthening of the LAQM and Smoke Control Area framework through the Environment Act 2021, officials are currently developing a programme of engagement with local authorities. The government will write to the Committee by the end of February 2023 with a further update on how it is engaging with local authorities.