Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Building on successful Partnership working between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council following recent declaration of Oxford LEZ

A new challenge ?

With the help of our consultants AEA Technology and Transport & Travel Research

Supported by funding from DEFRA 2007-8 and 2008/9

Initial thoughts…a brief SWOT on the new challenge ahead

StrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreats

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Strengths – the positives

• Successful partnership between both Councils based upon statutory obligation to deliver measures outlined in AQAP as part of the LTP 2006-2011

• Both Councils have been made aware of the relevance of a Low Emission Strategy, during the process of LEZ feasibility process

• Report to City Executive January 2008 …” it is suggested that both Councils work together to adopt a shared Low Emission Strategy (LES), whereby policy measures applied by each Council may be considered within an integrated approach to reducing the impact of transport emissions”

• Report to City Executive November 2008… In order to develop city wide solutions, it is considered that the development of a Low Emission Strategy, integrated within the next LTP (2011-2016), is required in addition to the options for a Low Emission Zone, currently under consideration for central Oxford.”

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Weaknesses

• LES not a statutory duty

• Not a core obligation within Transport Policy

• …..or Planning Policy

• Environmental baseline not clearly defined

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Opportunities (& possibilities)• Focus of current Transport Policy is development of new LTP

2011-2016… requires…”LA’s to consider the impacts of their proposals on greenhouse gas emissions and to seek to reduce (and minimise) such emissions in preparing their LTP”

• Focus of current Planning Policy is development of Oxford Local Development scheme 2008-2011..opportunity to consider LES within new supplementary planning documents-annual monitoring reports?

• Significant reference within LTP guidance to “integration of environmental plans with LTP’s, such as AQAP’s”…LES contribute to SEA?

• City wide AQMA, requiring a new city-wide AQAP…LES can be a vehicle for developing new AQAP between City & County

• City and County have commitments to reducing LA emissions under LAA/LSP agreements under NI 185

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Threats

• Very busy planning policy and transport policy time schedules

• Lack of officer time and commitment to a non-statutory obligation

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Summary• LES is potentially a strong integrating tool, for reducing emissions,

across a range of policies that promote low carbon and sustainable development as key LA climate change response

• Key factor for success relies upon the ability to integrate LES with Planning and Transport Policies

• Within Oxford it is considered that the best approach will be to develop an LES that takes account of these two distinct but related LES policy frameworks, Transport and Planning Policy

• The LES is to be developed in key stages:-(i) Scoping Phase to review existing Transport and Planning Policy Frameworks

(ii) Developing strategy document and Action Plan

(iii) Implementation phase

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Scoping

• Define the scope by reference to existing plans policies and programmes, involving key meetings with officers in City Planning Policy and County Transport Planning departments

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Strategy Document and Action Plan

May include:-

• Description of scope and relevance of document• Reference to existing policies and plans that are relevant• What LES can achieve, including links to existing targets based on LAA, and

development of baselines where required• Statement of commitment by supporting organisations and timescales for integration

with current and future policies• Consideration of options in relation to carbon reduction (Oxford average less than

national average)• 52% Industrial & Commercial• 30% Domestic• 18% Transport• Examples of relevant schemes by reference to LES Beacons Group

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

Implementation

• Will require formal adoption of LES within Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council, with sufficient flexibility to allow for a mixture of shared and “individually owned” strategies

• Options to consult with the public and other district councils as well as key stakeholders

• Consideration of further partnership working with local business and industry

Low Emission Strategy for Oxford

A ‘golden thread’ runs through our organisation which ensures that

our corporate priorities cascade down the organisation from strategic

to operational level through directorate plans, team plans and

individual appraisals. This provides continuous focus on the needs of

Oxford’s citizens.