Decision details

Matter for Decision:

Cambridge City Council monitors air quality at 5 locations as part of its statutory responsibilities.  The monitoring instruments at 3 of these locations are now overdue for replacement and require more frequent repairs; some equipment is obsolete and no longer covered by the service contract. 

Funds had been set aside in the Repair and Renewal Fund to fund the purchase of the capital equipment. Also, DEFRA grant funding has been allocated towards the cost of new equipment to monitor PM_2.5. 

The service/maintenance contract will be included in the tender; the revenue costs are anticipated to be similar to the current costs, so there are no additional revenue implications expected.

The service and maintenance contract for equipment at the two other permanent air quality monitoring stations are anticipated to be similar to the current costs.

Decision of Exec Cllr for Environmental and Waste Services:

Financial recommendations:

             I.      Agreed to recommend this capital scheme (which is not included in the Council’s Capital Plan) for approval by Council, subject to resources being available to fund the capital and revenue costs associated with the Scheme.  The total capital cost of the project is £120,000, and it is proposed that this funded from specific, identified R&R funds for the purpose, of £99,000 plus DEFRA grant of £21,000 which has already been secured. 

          II.      There are no additional revenue costs arising from the project.  The costs associated with the maintenance contract are expected to be similar to current costs.

Procurement recommendations:

       III.      Approved the carrying out and completion of the procurement of replacement air quality monitoring equipment and associated maintenance contract as detailed in the report.

      IV.      If the quotation or tender sum exceeds the estimated contract value by more than 15% the permission of the Executive Councillor and Director of Finance will be sought prior to proceeding.

The estimated contract value is £178,000.

Reason for the Decision:

Monitoring with accurate instrumentation is a statutory requirement because the levels of air pollution in Cambridge breach the National Objectives.  Accurate measurements are required to declare or remove an Air Quality Management Area.  PM_2.5 monitoring is a new requirement where a 10% reduction between 2010 and 2020 is to be pursued.

The data provided by these instruments is required for annual progress reporting to Defra.

Objective 3c in the Environmental Services Service Plan is to procure the replacement of air quality monitoring equipment at the permanent air quality monitoring stations in the City.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

N/A

Scrutiny Considerations:

There was no debate on this item.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

N/A