Issue - meetings

The deputation will be recorded in the minute.

The Committee received a deputation in relation to item 9.1 (Air Quality Progress Report) from Elizabeth Leslie, who was accompanied by Sheila Harper and Louise Leil. 

Ms Leslie began by thanking the Committee for the opportunity to present concerning air pollution reduction measures implemented in Aberdeen.  She advised that she recognised the report was for noting only, but hoped that the deputation would add value to the decision making process she understood would be before the November meeting. 

She began by highlighting the significant improvement in Aberdeen’s air quality as detailed in the report, noting that there was no exceedance of air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide and particular matter across the city in 2023.  She noted that it suggested that certain air quality management areas were being considered for revocation or amendment.  In light of the improvements, she asked why stringent air pollution reduction measures such as the enforcement of the low emission zone (LEZ) were still being pursued. 

She noted that the air quality objectives were largely already being met, and considered it counterintuitive to continue imposing such measures.  She felt that public opinion should also be considered, with surveys conducted in Aberdeen in 2023 and 2024 which indicated overwhelming opposition to climate based travel restrictions in the city.  Ms Leslie referred to a poll reported by Aberdeen Live in August 2023 which showed that 90% of respondents opposed the LEZ plans.  Similarly, a survey published in the Press and Journal in January 2024 showed the majority were against the implementation of the LEZ in the city centre.  Ms Leslie stated that requiring no studies and through simple visual observation, it was obvious that city centre store closures had increased since June 2024.  Despite these findings, she noted that the report stated that a proper public consultation had been carried out.  She highlighted what she stated were significant discrepancies between the survey results and the Council’s claim of proper public consultation, and suggested that the consultation may not have accurately captured the views of Aberdeen’s residents.  She therefore asked the Council how it reconciled the enforcement of the measures with the clear lack of public support. 

Ms Leslie stated that she would next like to address the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant of Mayors as referenced in the report.  She noted that the Council had initially signed this voluntary agreement in 2008, aligning with the European Union’s climate and energy targets, including the development of a sustainable energy action plan aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020.  Ms Leslie stated that it was important to recognise that this commitment was voluntary and part of a broader EU agenda, rather than a targeted response to Aberdeen’s specific local environmental conditions.  Despite this commitment dating back to 2008, Ms Leslie noted that the Council continued to align its policies with the Covenant of Mayors, as seen in the Powering Aberdeen initiative, Aberdeen’s sustainable energy action plan.  Ms Leslie felt that the ongoing alignment, particularly in the post-Brexit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3