Lambeth Green Party - Official Response to Lambeth Air Quality Action Plan 2017 to 2022

It is estimated that nearly 9500 persons die prematurely every year due to high level of air pollution in London [1]. Deprived communities and notably the Black populations in Lambeth are also disproportionately impacted by illegal levels of air pollution [2]. In the light of these scientific reports, Lambeth Council should take a strong line and use all its powers to be a force for change.

The draft plan currently published for consultation is lacking in both ambition and scope. No plan is made to stop or even reduce the incineration of collected household waste, no commitment is made to develop cycling infrastructures, no concrete action to encourage modal shift is proposed, and no resolution is taken to use the policing powers given to local authorities to stamp out engine-idling.

Air pollution is a massive threat to our health that requires public action at all levels. While we recognise that our council alone cannot solve the issue, the council should fully acknowledge the shortcomings in our borough and start pulling its weight. The draft Air Quality Action Plan falls short on this account.

Lambeth Green Party was not consulted on the content of the draft prior to its publication by Lambeth Council. We have, however, responded to the consultation questionnaire as an organisation, with the full text of our response reproduced below.   

The Lambeth Council Air Quality Action Plan 2017 to 2022 can be found here.

The questionnaire allowing you to respond to the plan ends on November 15th and can be found here.

Green Party activist, Chris Holt, installs an air quality monitor outside a school in Streatham

Topic 1: Emissions from developments and buildings

Question 1: Looking at Topic 1: Emissions from developments and buildings on pages 17-19 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Tend to agree

Question 2: Looking at individual actions listed in 1: Emissions from developments and buildings on pages 17-19 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Whilst the intentions set out on the topic point in the right direction, educating and raising awareness among property developers alone cannot make a serious impact on the pollution levels created by building sites. The Council should take stronger leadership by using its planning prerogatives and legal powers to enforce the highest standards defined by the Great London Authority. At a time when the borough is already suffering from alarming levels of pollution, it is particularly disappointing that the Council is allowing developers to financially compensate the pollution they create, through s106 agreements.  

Topic 2: Public health and awareness raising

Question 3: Looking at Topic 2: Public health and awareness raising on pages 20-23 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Tend to disagree

Question 4: Looking at individual actions listed under Topic 2: Public health and awareness raising on pages 20-23 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: The list of proposals to improve awareness lacks two key aspects to make an efficient public health plan. Firstly it fails to involve the local GP surgeries. Medical professions are in regular contact with the most vulnerable people who are also the primary sufferers of air pollution. Nurses and doctors are best placed to implement effective measures and report health issues. Secondly, the plan is extremely limited in terms of monitoring actual air pollution levels in Lambeth. Residents have a right to know the level of air pollution they are exposed to. In particular, plans should be made to assess air quality scientifically around nurseries, schools and care homes as young people and the elderly are among those that suffer the greatest health consequences as a result of poor air quality.

Topic 3: Delivery servicing and freight

Question 5: Looking at Topic 3: Delivery servicing and freight on pages 23-24 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions:

Lambeth Green Party Response: Tend to agree

Question 6: Looking at individual actions listed under Topic 3: Delivery servicing and freight on pages 23-24 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: The Council’s plans to provide preferential scoring to bidders delivering goods and services with zero or low emission vehicles has the potential to make good use of the Council’s buying power to influence its wider stakeholder network. However, the Council will have to ensure that scoring systems are designed in such a way that the air quality credits of different bidders actually make a material difference to the final score of bidders and therefore the procurement decision.

Furthermore, the Council should review whether FORS Silver Accreditation delivers any real air quality benefits. As presented, the requirements for FORS silver accreditation do not seem to provide air quality benefits as it does not ask for the vehicle fleet of accredited companies to meet targets on engine standards (i.e. Euro 6), fuel use or air pollutant emissions.

Topic 4: Borough fleet actions

Question 7: Looking at Topic 4: Borough fleet actions on pages 24-25 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Tend to disagree

Question 8: Looking at individual actions listed under Topic 4: Borough fleet actions on pages 24-25 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: The Council should stop investing in diesel vehicles and favour low emission technologies. It is paradoxical to request the expansion of the ULEZ or to welcome the introduction of clean buses on the A23 routes while planning to continue to buy and use diesel engines. The Office for Low Emission Vehicle, part of the Department for Transport  provides grants to Councils to help them transition to cleaner vehicles.

The Council is also one of the major employers in the borough. As a public authority it should lead by example, and incorporate plans to incentivise modal shift among its employees. The use of cars to come to work should be discouraged.

Topic 5: Localised solutions

Question 9: Looking at Topic 5: Localised solutions on pages 25-26 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Strongly disagree

Question 10: Looking at individual actions listed under Topic 5: Localised solutions on pages 25-26 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Lambeth is home to the successful Brixton Energy, a social enterprise which installed solar panels on 3 estates of the borough (and counting). The council should build on this experience and encourage more initiatives aiming at developing the production and use of renewable energies in the borough. The fact that the terms “solar” or “renewable” don’t appear once in the plan document is staggering.

Brixton tube station, at the end of the Victoria line is crying for bike infrastructures, with the few bike racks there are constantly overcrowded. The aims to roll-out the London bike-hire scheme in the south of London in 6 years demonstrates a distinct lack of in ambition.

Topic 6: Transport & Highways

Question 11: Looking at Topic 6: Transport & Highways on pages 26-28 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with the proposed actions?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Strongly disagree

Question 12: Looking at individual actions listed under Topic 6: Transport & Highways on pages 26-28 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan what, if anything, would you say is missing, should be removed or should be amended, and why?

Lambeth Green Party Response: In 2015, Local Authorities received new powers to fine idling motorists. In combination with the actions of information and prevention, actions should be taken to use the fining powers in sensitive areas, such as around schools, to end idling for good.

Whilst promoting cycling use is necessary, it will remain inefficient if cycling is not made safer and more accessible. The plan makes no commitment to develop the much-need cycling infrastructure to encourage the modal shift.

One annual car free day is a token event unlikely to change transport habits and make any significant impact. We urge the Council to organise regular car free days across the borough. We disagree with the idea to devolve this responsibility to BIDs, when business are traditionally opposed to motor traffic reduction; other stakeholders such as cycling groups and resident forums need to be included for a better balance of opinion.

Lambeth Council should also make clear its opposition to the expansion of both Heathrow and City airports. An increase of traffic at any of those airport would affect negatively the air quality in our borough.

Three main priorities listed on page 15:

Question 13: Looking at our three main priorities listed on page 15 of the draft Air Quality Action Plan do you, generally speaking, agree or disagree with them?

Lambeth Green Party Response: Tend to disagree

Please tell us more if you wish:

The focus of the plan should be on areas over which the council has directly responsibility. The first priority of the plan should be to transform the Council as a leader by example, with a clean fleet of vehicles and a strong plan to avoid waste incineration.

Question 14: Is there anything else that you would like to add to the feedback you have given us so far:

Lambeth Green Party Response: No mention is made in the plan of Lambeth’s policy of waste incineration. Actions should be taken to improve the recycling and composting rates, to reduce the amount of waste sent to Belvedere incinerator in Bexley. Although this incineration takes place outside the borough, it clearly has an impact on air quality in Lambeth as well as in other boroughs.

We also worry about the governance of this plan. It contains no clear metrics to measure the impact that various activities will have. This makes it very difficult to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and adequacy of the plan efficiency. We will advise the steering committee to set clear and transparent targets that will consistently measure progress and impact of actions throughout execution.

Bruno putting up a pollution monitor outside Effra nursery on Barnwell Road.

[1] Understanding the Health Impacts of Air Pollution in London:

https://www.scribd.com/document/271641490/King-s-College-London-report-on-mortality-burden-of-NO2-and-PM2-5-in-London

[2] Analysing Air Pollution Exposure in London

https://www.scribd.com/doc/312760725/Analysing-Air-Pollution-Exposure-in-London?secret_password=UjnUA1OxDIURIebGARhZ

Lambeth Greens marching for refugees this Saturday

This Saturday (12 September) Lambeth Green Party is joining forces with other Londoners to show solidarity with the refugees fleeing to escape the prosecution and war they face in their home countries.

With communities all over Europe stepping up to tell their leaders that we cannot stand by and let millions suffer, it is critical that we tell our government that their actions so far have fallen short.

The march starts at 12 o'clock at Marble Arch and will be progressing towards Downing Street.

Lambeth Green Party will be meeting on the corner of Green Street and Park Street at 11:30am so that we can join the main march as a group.

Let's have a great turnout so that we can show David Cameron and Theresa May that we need a humane and comprehensive response.

Lambeth for a Cool Planet’s Walk for Clean Air

  

On 13 September we will be joining Lambeth for a Cool Planet’s Walk for Clean Air. Please come down to show your support and raise awareness of Lambeth’s disgraceful air quality.

Air pollution monitoring across Lambeth paints a dire picture of the quality of air we breathe. The borough has some of the worst air pollution in Europe. On Brixton Road annual EU limits for Nitrogen Dioxide had already been reached by mid-January 2015 and levels across Streatham are exceeding the EU safe limits by up to 100%.

This has many negative health effects. It affects lung development in children and can cause respiratory illnesses, especially for older people, those with asthma, and those living or working near busy roads. Over 100 deaths annually in Lambeth can be linked to air pollution.

We will be meeting at 2pm on the 13 September at the top of Rush Common (just below Holmewood Road, SW2) and walking down to Windrush Square to call on Lambeth Council to take steps to put an end to this silent killer. Please come and join us.

Green Party mayoral candidate hustings on their way to Lambeth

We are hosting a hustings event for the Green Party mayoral candidates on 20 July at the Herne Hill United Church (Red Post Hill, Herne Hill, SE24 9PW) from 7pm.

We want to maintain momentum in the 2016 London elections after our recent election successes. In London, our vote share tripled in the General Election with a 7.1% increase in Lambeth, and membership continues to surge across the city. We can have a huge impact in 2016 so it is essential that we pick the right candidate to lead the campaign. Please come and join us to hear what the candidates have to say. The hustings are open to Green Party members from all London parties.

Six candidates have put themselves forward:

• Jonathan Bartley, convenor of the Lambeth Green Party, is our work and pensions spokesperson and was the Green parliamentary candidate for Streatham in 2015.
• Sian Berry is a Green councillor for Camden and works as a road campaigner for Campaign for Better Transport. She was our parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Highgate in the 2005 General Election. 
• Tom Chance, our spokesperson for housing, is joint-coordinator of the London Green Party. He  was our parliamentary candidate for Lewisham West in 2015.
• Benali Hamdache is our equalities spokesperson and chair of LGBTIQ Greens.
• Rashid Nix, who was our parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood in 2015.
• Caroline Russell, our spokesperson for local transport, is also an Islington councillor. She was our parliamentary candidate for Islington North in 2015.

2016 is a real opportunity for us to shake up London's politics, come and hear what the candidates have to say to see who you think can make the most of it.

Join us on 13 July to support Cressingham Gardens

On Monday 13 July we will be joining the residents of Cressingham Gardens to protest against the "disgusting" decision to demolish the estate against their wishes.

We will be meeting outside Lambeth Town Hall (Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW) at 5.30pm ahead of the Cabinet meeting which starts at 7.00pm. Cressingham Gardens residents are meeting outside the Rotunda (Tulse Hill, SW2 2QN) at 5.40pm and marching from the estate to the Town Hall.

Cressingham Gardens was highlighted during the General Election leaders interviews as an example of how Labour was out of touch and failing to listen to what ordinary people wanted.

This decision follows a long consultation process which began with Council Leader Lib Peck’s pledge, which has now been shown to be entirely false, that Labour would “not do anything to the estate that doesn’t command the confidence and support of its residents”.

The demolition of the estate will result in a net loss of affordable bedrooms and concerns have been raised around the use of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to fund the redevelopment. Through this procedure the SPV, rather than the Council, can ultimately decide the rent levels for any social housing.

Lambeth Green Party will continue to support residents and champion their Judicial Review proceedings against Lambeth Council. Please join us on Monday to show your support for the residents.

Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils Conference - London Against Austerity

On Saturday 4 July 2015 the Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils is holding its 'London Against Austerity' conference at Islington Town Hall.

The conference aims to bring together Councillors, trades unionists and community organisations in opposing austerity.

If you'd like to attend please register here. The event information is below:

SATURDAY 4 JULY 2015, 10.00-15.30

Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD

Nearest Tube/rail: Highbury & Islington

Buses: 4, 19, 30, 43, 271

Join us on 20th June to oppose Austerity

On Saturday 20th June 2015 the Lambeth Green Party will be at the End Austerity Now National Demonstration to oppose the harsh and unfair cuts that are set to continue under the Conservative Government. Please come and join us.

After the Conservatives swept back into power with an increased majority, cuts to vital public services are expected to be deeper and wider. It is now more important than ever to show we will not take this lying down. The more who join us on the streets, the louder the message we send to the Government.

Under the Coalition Government the NHS recorded its worst ever performance, with accident and emergency units recording their worst crisis in over a decade. Funding for mental health fell by 8% whilst demand for services has increased by 20%. There has been a 19% year-on-year rise in recorded use of food banks. Over 300,000 children have been forced into poverty since 2012 and this figure is expected to rise. 60 deaths have been linked to benefits cuts. I could go on...and on.

With more cuts on the way these dire circumstances are only going to get worse, hitting the poorest and most vulnerable hardest. 

We need to send a message on 20th June that we will stand against austerity. Please join us. For some food for thought read Paul Krugman on 'The Austerity Delusion' here.

We are holding a Lambeth Green Party campaigns meeting to organise for this protest soon, details will be posted on the Facebook page.  We will also be having a mobilising event at the White Lion, on Streatham High Road on 2nd June.  End Austerity Now are holding their next meeting on Tuesday 26th May from 6:30pm at the Bread and Roses pub in Clapham.