Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Health and Wellbeing

Further to Minute No. 30 of 14 January 2020 the Committee considered the report of the Head of Health and Wellbeing (Statutory Director of Public Health) that provided an update on the Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) 2018/19, which explored the issue of Air Quality in Sefton; that advised that the PHAR was the independent annual report of the Director of Public Health and was a statutory duty; and that the latest report for 2019/20 focused on Health Inequality and the successful Well Sefton Programme.

The report indicated that the 2018/19 PHAR took an in-depth look at the largest environmental risk to population health in the UK, air pollution; that with regards to air quality and health in Sefton, air pollution was

the 12th highest modifiable risk to health in 2017 and had maintained this ranking in 2019 and that compared to high impact ‘behavioural’ risks the contribution to poor health from air pollution was around one fifth of that from obesity and one tenth the harm due to smoking; and provided information on the global and local impact of the Covid pandemic that had drawn public and scientific interest back to the contribution patterns that air pollution made to health inequality.

The report concluded by detailing that the 2018/19 PHAR on Air Quality set out some goals to capture different aspects of Sefton Council’s ongoing work to support emissions reduction and better air quality in Sefton. The report indicated that the Coronavirus pandemic had meant that some areas had progressed less than others in 2020 but that it was known from public engagement before and during the development of the PHAR report that these were still important priorities and would continue to shape the work of Public and Environmental Health and Highways teams, and others brought together through the Cabinet Member Reference Group on Air Quality.

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following issues:

·        In respect of measures to inform residents about ways to reduce their exposure to air pollution at home information was sought on the use of Domestic Solid Fuel Burning, including wood-burning stoves and the regulations associated with such usage. Reference was also made to

leaflets providing clear information for public and professionals, covering health issues linked to particulate matter and the law on domestic burning, practical advice to lower health risks and

emissions and help with fuel poverty

·        Reference was made to the recent activity of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to extinguish bonfires. It was noted that air pollution from a bonfire, such as smoke and fine particles, could have a damaging effect on people's health; and that children and the elderly were especially vulnerable to air pollution, as well as people with existing health problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, heart conditions or other lung conditions

RESOLVED:

That the report providing an update on the Public Health Annual Report (PHAR) 2018/19 which explored the issue of Air Quality in Sefton be noted.