The Provision of an External Consultant to Assist the Council in Developing an Air Quality Strategy

Description

Caerphilly County Borough Council proposes to develop a comprehensive, public-facing Local Air Quality Strategy (AQS) in line with the requirements set out in the Welsh Government’s Local Air Quality Management Policy Guidance (LAQM.PG22). The Strategy will set out CCBC’s commitment to improving local air quality, preventing future deterioration, reducing exposure to air pollution, and addressing associated inequalities in health and environment. Caerphilly, working with external air quality consultants, proposes to develop a public facing AQS that will set out CCBC’s commitment to protect health and wellbeing, take preventative action to safeguard compliance with limit values, continuously improve local air quality and promote sustainable development. We propose that the Air Quality Strategy will present the evidence base around current and future air quality for residents in Caerphilly, outline the need for action, and describe the policies that encourage or directly influence the reduction of local emissions, including the actions being taken by CCBC to improve air quality. The AQS will additionally prioritise cross-sector collaboration, health protection, and equitable outcomes. The AQS will be developed working closely with relevant stakeholders, as well as through engagement with Caerphilly residents. The AQS will be developed through the following stages: Project inception and scoping (virtual kick-off meeting and steering group formation). Policy and data review: analysis of local strategies (transport, climate, health) and air quality monitoring data. Community engagement: online survey or engagement sessions with local residents and community groups to ensure the strategy is inclusive and relevant. Development of draft strategy: through collaboration with a steering group of key council officers and external partners. Review and finalisation: feedback from the steering group will be incorporated into a final strategy, ready for publication. Design and accessibility enhancements: a visually engaging and accessible version of the AQS will be produced using professional design services.