This report details grant funding which the Council has applied for from Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).  The aim of the programme is to increase uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles through support for individuals, provision of enabling infrastructure. Air quality will be improved with around twenty-five tonnes additional tonnes of NO2 emissions avoided by 2021. The total programme value is up to £9 million.

Our partners in this bid are Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes, the Energy Savings Trust, the Transport Studies Unit and BMW Group/Eluminocity. A several months’ long negotiation was expected following award announcement in Dec or January. It only now been indicated that a rapid process for final negotiation of grant terms is desired by OLEV.

The report seeks project approval and delegated authority to enter into a grant agreement should funding be approved.

The Director Community Services submitted a report which sought the necessary budget approval and delegated authority to allow officers to deliver a project to address on-street electric vehicle charging.

The Board Member, Climate Change and Cleaner Greener Oxford presented the report explaining that as part of a £35m national programme to accelerate electric vehicle take up, the Council and its partners have been awarded £800k capital and £16k revenue funding by Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). He congratulated the Environmental Sustainability Team on their success in working with the County Council and BMW Group UK to secure the funding. 

The Chair of Scrutiny said that the Scrutiny Committee held a thorough discussion with officers on the detail of the project and had suggested that officers should consider working with local car clubs to promote the scheme.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Grant project approval for the on-street electric vehicle charging project referred to in this report;

2.    Authorise officers to complete negotiations with OLEV with a view to the Council being appointed as the accountable body for, and receiving grant funding under, a funding agreement with OLEV; and

3.    Delegate to the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 officer, the authority to enter into:

a.    a grant agreement with OLEV;

b.    appropriate agreements with our bid partners; and also with all third parties required to deliver the project subject to their being selected under an appropriate procurement process.