Cabinet, on 13 September 2023, resolved to:

1.       Approve plans to revoke Oxford’s existing 23 Smoke Control Orders and replace them with a single Smoke Control Order across the whole City, subject to the outcome of consultations and confirmation by the Secretary of State; and

2.       Subject to the outcome of the public consultation and confirmation by the Secretary of State, delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Strategy in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice and the Head of Law and Governance, to make the order.

The Head of Corporate Strategy has exercised delegated authority to approve the making of the new Smoke Control Order 2024, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice and the Head of Law and Governance, and after considering the results of the Council’s public consultation which showed that the majority of Oxford City residents support these proposals.

The benefit of this proposal is to reduce the risk of harmful emissions from uncontrolled burning of solid fuels from open fireplaces and non-approved stoves and indoor burners in areas of Oxford currently not covered by smoke control legislation.

The proposal will ensure consistency, minimise confusion and raise awareness of the controls in place for the burning of solid fuels across the city. It will also help to raise awareness of the health impacts of burning solid fuel.

Several research studies now indicate how harmful particulate pollution emissions from the use of solid fuels at home are to human health: they increase pollution levels inside people’s homes (as these pollutants are released into the air when materials are burned), and contribute to an overall increase of particulate pollution levels in urban areas.

As a local authority, Oxford City Council has a statutory duty to set out air quality measures to bring its local areas into compliance with national air quality targets, and to take preventative action to improve the health of residents and to deliver clean air.

To revoke all Smoke Control Orders and not replace and therefore have no restrictions. This option would go against the Council’s objectives in relation to climate change and air quality.

To leave the 23 Smoke Control Areas currently in place covering only 48% of the city. However, this would create inconsistencies and inequalities across the city and can be confusing for residents. This approach would also not be progressive in improving air quality in Oxford.

Decision taken by Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy in consultation with Emma Jackman, Head of Law and Governance and Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice.