Issue details

Submission of the draft Air Quality Action Plan to Defra

Local Air Quality Management is a statutory duty of local authorities under the Environment Act 1995.

Part of those duties includes preparing an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) when parts of the borough do not meet national Air Quality Objectives.

Defra is required to appraise a draft AQAP prior to adoption by the Council, the statutory deadline for submission to Defra being 31 May 2026.

The Executive Director of Place made the decision to submit the draft AQAP to Defra prior to the deadline.

Options considered, to not submit the AQAP was considered, but rejected, as this would mean the Council was not meeting its duties.

Decision type: Non-key

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/06/2026

Decision due: 29 May 2026 by Executive Director for Place, Service Director - Legal, Governance & Commissioning

Lead director: David Shepherd

Department: Public Health

Contact: Natalie Heaney, Principal Technical Officer 01484 221000 Email: natalie.heaney@kirklees.gov.uk, Martin Wood, Head of Public Protection Email: martin.wood@kirklees.gov.uk.

Consultation process

A public consultation was carried out in Spring 2026 as part of the development of the Air Quality Action Plan.

No conflict of interest was declared.

Members/Officers Involved: Cllr. Beverley Addy, Former Public Health Portfolio Holder (pre-May 2026 Local Government elections)