The Head of Environmental Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended).  The Democratic Services Manager said that the Low Emissions Strategy had not been reproduced with the report and so could not be taken today.  However, the matter could be included on the agenda for the special City Executive Board meeting on 30 July.

The Board also had before it a report (previously circulated, now appended) of the Scrutiny Committee of 2 July.

Councillor Jones spoke on the item.  He referred to the aspirational nature of some aspects of the Strategy (eg take-up of electric vehicles, reduction in car mileage).  He also expressed some concern over consulting on the Air Quality Action Plan over a period when many people would be on holiday.

In reply the Board Member, Cleaner Greener Oxford said that the consultation period was of a sufficient length to span people’s holidays.  He also referred to air pollution in High Street and in St Aldate’s.  This was unacceptably high and the Air Quality Action Plan would address this.

Resolved to:-

(1)               Defer consideration of the adoption of the Low Emission Strategy for Oxford to the special meeting of the City Executive Board on 30 July;

(2)               Approve for consultation the draft Air Quality Action Plan for Oxford as contained in Appendix 2 to the report.