None.

None.

The Panel is asked to agree the notes of the meeting held on 10 September 2024as a true and accurate record.

The Panel sought clarification on point 4 of Minute 14 of the Annual Air Quality Status Report in regard to the statement that there were no limitations to air quality monitoring on Hollow Way. It was clarified that while the monitoring technique used on Hollow Way has specific limitations, these were consistent with the limitations of the equipment used across the city and are not unique to this location.

The Panel approved the notes of the meeting held on 10 September 2024 as a true and accurate record, subject to an amendment to Minute 14 of the Annual Air Quality Status Report.

The Environmental Sustainability Lead has submitted the Net Zero Masterplan 2023-25 which sets out Oxford City Council’s actions over the next two years to achieve its two carbon targets: a Net Zero Estate and Operations by 2030 and a Net Zero City by 2040.

The Panel is asked to consider the Net Zero Masterplan and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy and Tina Mould, Environment Sustainability Lead, were in attendance to present the report and answer questions. 

The Environmental Sustainability Lead presented the report, highlighting the progress toward the 2030 deadline, including positive developments for Biodiversity Net Gain on City Council land. She also highlighted the ongoing work on Carbon literacy, with 10% of 240 targeted participants booked onto training courses over the next 2 years. It was proposed that carbon literacy training now be considered business as usual and removed from the tracker. 

In terms of targets set for 2040, the Environmental Sustainability Lead noted that further training for business would be available and that ongoing collaboration with colleagues on technical work for the Local Plan 2040 was progressing, focusing on how the Council can implement the process effectively. 

Councillor Kerr queried whether lack of resources was causing a delay to some of the targets, in particular the development of the Biodiversity Strategy. The Environmental Sustainability Lead confirmed that a recent round of recruitment had been completed, with contractors currently managing planning and strategy elements of the biodiversity work. It had still not proved possible to recruit a directly employed Ecologist.  

Councillor Miles asked whether challenges in ecologist resourcing were specific to Oxford or part of a broader issue. The Environmental Sustainability Lead acknowledged it was a wider challenge but noted that solutions were currently actively being explored. 

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations. 

The Principal Air Quality Officer has submitted a presentation updating the Panel on the Eco-Moorings Project.

Cllr Anna Railton, Deputy Leader (Non-Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Cllr James Fry, and Pedro Abreu, Principal Air Quality Officer have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to receive the presentation followed by an opportunity for discussion; and to agree any recommendations.

Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Pedro Abreu, Principal Air Quality Officer were in attendance to present the report and answer questions. Councillor James Fry was invited by the Chair to attend for this item in his capacity as ward councillor and his longstanding involvement in eco-moorings initiatives.

The Principal Air Quality Officer introduced a presentation of the Eco-Moorings Project, which focused on installing eco-moorings along a designated stretch of the canal at Aristotle Lane. This project, a partnership between Oxford City Council and the Canal & River Trust, received funding through DEFRA’s Air Quality Grant (2022/2023) to reduce reliance on diesel and wood-burning generators by providing cleaner energy.

Councillor Fry noted the origins of the project, highlighting its 12 year history, the existing temporary moorings, and current air quality levels at the site. He also referenced a similar scheme in Islington, which has demonstrated reduced air quality complaints due to the adoption of direct electricity. The Principal Air Quality Officer confirmed the parallels with the Islington scheme, including the use of temporary moorings, direct electricity, and the same contractor to manage the online payment platform.

Councillor Emily Kerr raised a query about the project’s use of temporary cables. The Principal Air Quality Officer clarified that the sockets would be standard UK domestic sockets, though specific cable types were not yet determined.

Councillor Miles asked about communication plans for residents and the involvement of ward members in the project’s progression. The Principal Air Quality Officer shared that communication plans were being finalized, including the creation of a dedicated page on the Council’s website to provide comprehensive information about the eco-moorings project. Councillor Miles emphasized the importance of engaging diverse segments of the boating community to understand their varied energy needs, suggesting the use of focus groups for this purpose.

In response to further questions from the Panel, the following points were noted:

• The moorings were currently managed by the Canal & River Trust and enforces a 48-hour maximum stay limit to prevent overstays.
• The County Council was exploring a waterways study in Oxford. This project would serve as a trial, and if successful, it could open avenues for additional funding sources based on its uptake and impact.

The Panel expressed strong support for the project and commended its objectives and potential impact.

The Panel agreed to make the following recommendation:

1.     That Council communicates with local residents and the boating community by distributing letters outlining the planned developments and work associated with the installation of eco-moorings at Aristotle Lane, including details of the temporary towpath closure; and to ensure relevant Members are kept informed and updated on this work.

The Carbon Reduction Project Manager has submitted a report outlining the key challenges and constraints affecting the deliverability of solar energy projects at Council car parks.

Cllr Anna Railton, Deputy Leader (Non-Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy and Alice Jones, Carbon Reduction Project Manager have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy, and Alice Jones, Carbon Reduction Project Manager were in attendance to present the report and answer questions.

The Head of Corporate Strategy and Carbon Reduction Project Manager introduced the report, providing an overview of challenges, constraints and opportunities to add solar panel canopies to car parks.

The Panel welcomed the concept, acknowledging its benefits despite the higher costs compared to alternative options.

Councillor Miles asked for clarification on which car parks were owned or managed by the City Council and whether they met the scheme's criteria. It was noted that Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Ride were City Council-owned, while others, such as Peartree, was leased, and Oxford Parkway and Thornhill managed on behalf of the County Council. The Panel recommended updating the report to include a comprehensive list of City Council-owned car parks that meet the viability criteria for the scheme.

Councillor Miles also about the exploration of alternative uses for car parks. The Head of Corporate Strategy cited examples such as the EV charging hub at Redbridge and the redevelopment plans for Oxpens. The Panel supported progressing with feasibility assessments to identify alternative revenue-generating opportunities while ensuring alignment with the Council's sustainability goals.

Councillor Harley raised a question about collaboration with the County Council. The Panel discussed the importance of engagement between the City and County Councils, recommending that the City Council leverage its influence to explore joint initiatives for County-managed car parks and enhance the overall viability of the scheme.

The Panel agreed to make the following recommendations:

1.     That Officers update the report to include a comprehensive list of Council-owned car parks that are large enough to meet the viability requirements for the solar canopy scheme.

2.     That Cabinet proceeds with the feasibility assessment by engaging with the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, focusing on exploring other viable uses for car parks, including potential revenue-generating opportunities, to ensure the most effective and sustainable.

3.     That Cabinet pursues engagement with the County Council to explore the potential for joint schemes for car parks owned by Oxfordshire County Council but managed by Oxford City Council, given the City Council’s management role, efforts should be made to influence and advocate for collaborative projects that maximise opportunities and ensure alignment with sustainability objectives.

The Panel will be presented an update on the Local Nature recovery Strategy.

James Barlow, Environmental Quality Team Leader, and Chloe Edwards, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager (Oxfordshire County Council) have been invited to present the item and answer questions.

The Panel is asked consider the item and agree any recommendations.

Note: The briefing note will not be available to review before the meeting, and will be published with the minutes of the meeting.

Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, James Barlow, Principal Flood Mitigation and Environmental Quality Team Leader, and Chloe Edwards, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager (Oxfordshire County Council) were in attendance to present the report and answer questions.

The Principal Flood Mitigation and Environmental Quality Team Leader introduced the report, commenting on the Council’s plan for biodiversity and collaborative efforts with councils across Oxfordshire. He also noted key aspects on Biodiversity Net Gain, including identifying offsite areas that could deliver high ecological value.

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager delivered a presentation setting out the priorities of the Strategy, including the use of a mapping tool to identify green networks within the county. A copy of this presentation had been included in the minutes pack.

Councillor Harley asked if city parks, and golf courses had been included with the list. whether city parks and golf courses were included in the list of mapped green spaces. The Project Manager confirmed the inclusion of allotments, community growing spaces, and other green areas but noted that private woodland within residential properties would not be mapped. 

Councillor Miles inquired about how geographies within Oxford were identified and whether this process would guide district councils. The Principal Flood Mitigation and Environmental Quality Team Leader explained that the work represented a high-level review and involved collaboration with stakeholders. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager added that a public consultation was underway to further inform the Strategy and pinpoint areas with biodiversity potential in Oxfordshire. She noted the consultation would close in December but welcomed comments submitted after the deadline.

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations.

The Panel is asked to consider the Work Plan and agree any amendments.

Councillor Miles suggested that Climate Adaptation Plans, with a focus on mitigation, could be brought to the Panel for review. It was noted that this project, led by Oxfordshire County Council, would be added to the Panel’s Work Plan for discussion in February.

The Panel noted and approved the work plan.

At its meeting on 16 October 2024, Cabinet considered the following reports from the Climate and Environment Panel and made responses to the recommendations:

·       Annual Air Quality Status Report

·       ZCOP Expansion

Cabinet’s responses to recommendations were presented to the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4 November 2024 for noting.

The Panel is asked to note Cabinet’s responses to its recommendations.

The summary of Cabinet responses were noted by the panel.

The Panel is asked to note the dates and times of future meetings of the Climate and Environment Panel.

·       26 February 2025, 6pm

·       27 March 2025, 6pm

Meetings will take place remotely via Zoom.

The Panel was advised that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.