Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024

17 Action plans in relation to air quality management areas

(1) After section 83A of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25) insert—

“83B Duties of Welsh local authorities in relation to designated areas

(1) This section applies in relation to a local authority in Wales.

(2) A local authority must, for the purpose of securing that air quality standards and objectives are achieved in an air quality management area designated by the authority—

(a) prepare an action plan in relation to that area, and

(b) send a copy of the action plan to the Welsh Ministers for approval.

(3) An action plan is a written plan that—

(a) sets out how the local authority will exercise its functions to secure that air quality standards and objectives are achieved in the area to which the plan relates, and

(b) in relation to each standard and objective, specifies a date by which the local authority will aim to achieve the standard or objective.

(4) An action plan must also set out how the local authority will exercise its functions to secure that air quality standards and objectives are maintained after they have been achieved in the area to which the plan relates.

(5) An action plan must—

(a) set out particular measures the local authority will take to secure the achievement and maintenance of air quality standards and objectives in the area to which the plan relates, and

(b) in relation to each measure, specify a date by which it will be carried out.

(6) A local authority—

(a) may prepare revisions to an action plan at any time, and

(b) must prepare revisions to an action plan if it considers that there is a need for further or different measures to be taken to secure that air quality standards and objectives are achieved by the dates specified under subsection (3)(b), and are maintained, in the area to which the plan relates.

(7) A local authority must send copies of revisions prepared under subsection (6) to the Welsh Ministers for approval.

(8) An action plan, or a revision to an action plan, does not take effect unless the plan or revision is approved (with or without modifications) by the Welsh Ministers.”

(2) In section 84 of that Act—

(a) in subsection (1A), omit “or Wales”;

(b) in the heading, omit “and Welsh”.

(3) In section 91 of that Act, in the definition of “action plan” in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

in relation to Wales, in accordance with section 83B;”.