The joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the City Solicitor is enclosed.

A joint report submitted by the Deputy Chief Executive and the City Solicitor set out the progress that had been made following the Government’s response to Greater Manchester’s Outline Business Case to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside (OBC). The report explained the implications of relevant COVID-19 pandemic management policies for the 10 Greater Manchester (GM) local authorities in relation to the schedule of work and statutory consultation on the Clean Air Plan. It also set out the links to the taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards (MLS).

The report set out the more recent work that had been undertaken across Greater Manchester on public engagement, consideration of future provision and support for commercial vehicles, and correspondence from Government on the next steps the Government required the GM Councils to take, a timetable for those, and an indication of the financial support the Government will provide for the implementation of the Clean Air Plan.

It was explained that the plans for consultation had been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the consultation timetable had been due to commence but had to be suspended. As a result the overall programme was going to be set-back by four months.

Decisions

1.         To note the progress of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

2.         To note the progress in the development of the Clean Commercial Vehicle and Hardship funds.

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

4.         To 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.         To 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.         To 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 the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

7.         To 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.         To 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.         To 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.       To note the DfT’s positioning paper “Decarbonising Transport – Setting the Challenge”.

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

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