Citizens' Assembly on Air Quality Holds its First Meeting
Independent body will make recommendations to reduce pollution
Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE speaks to the group
Local people have come together for the first ever Wandsworth Citizens' Assembly on air quality.
The assembly is group of randomly selected residents who meet to learn more from experts, discuss what can be done to improve air quality and make recommendations to the council. It is part of the council pledge to review its Air Quality Action Plan and set ambitious new targets to clean up the borough’s air.
The assembly will meet four times by the end of April and began by exploring issues aroundair pollution, the impacts on health, the local picture and personal perspectives.
Members heard from Dr Iarla Kilbane Dawe (co-author and lead researcher for Defra/Local Government Association Guidance on Air Pollution and Air Quality lead for Waterman Group), Shannon Katiyo (Director of Public Health, Wandsworth Council), Maria Vaz & Jason Andrews (Wandsworth Council Air Quality Team) and Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE from the Ella Roberta Foundation.
Local residents and groups who were not chosen to take part can still participate in the conversation.
Five residents or community groups are invited to join our Citizens’ Assembly on Air Quality on Saturday March 11 between 10am and 4pm to give five minute ‘Lightning Talks’ offering their local insight and perspectives around air quality challenges or solutions.
Click here if you are interested in taking part.
And from the end of this month people will be able to put their thoughts and comments online and attend an online webinar. More details on how to take part will be given nearer the time at wandsworth.gov.uk/wandsworth-air-quality-citizens-assembly.
Cabinet member for the environment Judi Gasser said, “It was a great pleasure to be at the meeting on Saturday. There was so much energy in the room and some really creative, exciting thinking.
“Holding a Citizens’ Assembly and giving local people a real voice is crucial to ensuring we come together as a borough and come up with a robust plan to clean up our air so please take the opportunity to share you thoughts.”
If you have any questions, email togetheronclimatechange@wandsworth.gov.uk.
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