The Scrutiny Committee considered the annual report for the first time in 2017 and had agreed that it should be considered by the Committee annually thereafter.  Councillor Tanner, Board Member for A Clean and Green Oxford

gave a brief introduction to the 2016 report, noting that an analysis  of the last 10 years showed that NO2 levels had dropped, typically, by 35%, at  roadsides in the City centre. However the rate of improvement had decreased. A range of measures were in place and proposed to mitigate the risks posed by polluted air.

The Environmental Quality Team Manager explained that the Council was required to submit an Air Quality report annually to DEFRA. The format of the report was very prescriptive. While the Council had an important role to play in monitoring air quality and taking some mitigating action, the County Council, as Highways Authority, had a particularly significant role and so close partnership with it was important.

There were 70 monitoring locations in addition to automatic continuous monitoring at three locations. Some data now provided a picture of trends over the last 13 years . The report noted 17 locations where the annual mean objective for levels of NO2 had been exceeded. This was a reduction of 11% when compared with the previous year.

A range of actions were now in train to reduce levels of poor air quality. These included, among many others: preparation for the introduction of a Zero Emissions Zone; successful bid for provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for taxis; “Test Drive the Future” event; promotion of electric vehicle car clubs; and launch of the Go Ultra Low Oxford project.

Work on the next report was underway but the data which would underpin it could not be shared until they were confirmed and corroborated. The Committee were very keen to have sight of the latest data as soon as possible, not least because of the possible consequences of the opening of the Westgate Centre.  Cllr Tanner was clear however that data should not be shared until there was confidence that they were robust and that data needed to be considered over a period of time.

The particularly poor outcomes for St Clements were a matter of concern and a strategic group (with County Council representation) would meet presently to address those concerns. The County Council had conducted a traffic survey of the area and one possibility being explored was the re-phasing of traffic lights (to keep traffic flowing).  Interestingly two monitoring sites in the area, just 10 – 15 metres apart produced markedly different results.

Air quality considerations were taken into account in large scale planning applications.

There was  no dedicated budget for the provision of electric/hybrid vehicles to replace older Council vehicles but opportunities to invest in such vehicles  were taken as  they arose. It was noted that, currently at least,  there were no commercially available electric or hybrid  refuse vehicles (thinking of  the possible  future need for such vehicles by  Oxford Direct Services Trading Limited).

The Committee questioned whether continued involvement with the Health Improvement Board or the launch of the STOP project would add to the Council’s  knowledge or improve outcomes. Involvement with the former was not as productive as had first been envisaged but was still regarded as important. The STOP project would provide some additional data and, as importantly, would act as an educational tool, not just for pupils but for their parents also. More generally, the team were investigating the identification and supply of cheap but effective devices for measuring air quality  which could be made widely available to  interested members of the public.

The Council had not benefitted from the recently announced government funding pot of £4.5m to be put towards electric car charging points.  The City had already made significant advances in this area and might well be used as an example of good practice for others. Nonetheless, no opportunity to secure a share of this funding should be lost.

The value of vegetation (and notably trees) to absorb pollutants was recognised. At the same time it was noted that in some circumstances trees  could create a “canyon” effect, trapping polluted air in the short term and so exacerbating its detrimental effect.  Cllr Tanner was disinclined to agree to a suggestion that there should be  a pilot investigation into the benefits  of planting because of the great difficulties in establishing a clear connection between the many and various mitigating strategies and their consequences. He was of the strong opinion that  the focus should be on  preventative measures.

Cllr Tanner said that the ambition of moving towards a Zero Emission Zone was a serious and significant commitment but not without its challenges (how to deal with heavy goods vehicles delivering to the City Centre for example). The message of intent  in the relation to the ZEZ was as important as its final achievement.

The Committee suggested that the wording of the Action Plan was, in places, too vague and lacked ‘gritty’ objectives. Where strategies or plans had proved  to have been ineffective or have added no value, there was no shame in being candid about the fact and ceasing the activity. The Environmental Quality Team Manager said that the wording in the plan needed to provide  sufficient flexibility to accommodate detail which had, in some cases, yet to be determined, particularly when it involved working with partners. The plan was also constrained to some degree by the DEFRA template. 

Seeking to quantify the consequences for individuals of pollution levels in different parts of the City would be problematic given the mobility of most people. Mortality attributable to air quality was given at a County level, it would be difficult to provide at a City  level.

The Environmental Quality Team Manager said that work was being done with the Hackney Cab drivers’ association  about environmental matters.

The Chair reminded the Committee  that it had been asked to note the report and comment  if it wished.

The Scrutiny Officer noted the following key points has having emerged from the discussion that could be presented to the City Executive Board as recommendations:

1.    That the Council looks again at whether there was an opportunity to bid for some of the £4.5m of government funding available for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

2.    That the Council keeps a watching brief on the emerging science on the benefits of different types of vegetation as absorbers of pollutants.

3.    That the Council engages with taxi drivers, as well as schools, about the issue of idling and continues with enforcement activities and the promotion of electric vehicles.