Agenda item

(a)  That the review of the Low Emission Strategy 2018-2025 be approved;

(b)  That the reference from the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel in relation to staffing issues be noted and taken forward as part of the Our Futures Phase 2 restructure.

Members of the Environmental Quality Team gave a presentation on the two-year review of the Low Emission Strategy (LES) 2018-2015 which updated on the progress of projects, funding and refreshed the forward programme.

The main aim of the LES was to improve air quality and health outcomes across Slough through the 19 objectives and 52 projects in the strategy.  Roads were the main cause of poor quality in Slough.  Air quality was improving at a slow rate and both Covid-19 and weather patterns had had an impact on emissions in 2020.  None of five Air Quality Management Areas could be revoked at the present time.  The LES programme was a £15m package of which nearly £10.5m had already been secured from the Council’s capital programme, grants and Section 106 contributions.  The Cabinet noted progress on specific projects such as the Fleet Challenge programme, electric vehicle plan for taxis and private hire vehicles and a series of trials schemes such as the zero emission electric bus service and e-scooter trial.  A new Air Quality Action Plan was due in Summer 2021 followed by a Clean Air Plan.

The Lead Member for Sustainable Transport and Environmental Services highlighted that pollution levels had fallen significantly during the year largely due to the reductions in traffic.  Many of the projects to reduce vehicle emissions would help to retain the benefits of cleaner air and improved health.  The Cabinet discussed the support that would be put in place for taxi drivers to move to electric vehicles.  Officers explained the approach that was being taken to move to an all electric fleet by 2025 and noted that a grant application had been submitted to the Government would help provide support to the trade to make the shift.  The Government had announced that it brought forward the date to phase out all sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030 which would have a significant impact on the market.  The number of electric vehicle charging points was a priority and Slough already had a higher number compared to most other towns.

A progress report had been made the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel in November October 2020 and a recommendation had been made about workforce issues.  The Panel had noted that some projects in the LES had not progressed as quickly as had been planned, partly due to recruitment issues, and it was recommended that Cabinet: “Ensure that the relevant posts be filled so these important schemes could be progressed.”  The Cabinet agreed the schemes were important and that the posts in the team would be part of Our Futures Phase 2 restructure.

At the conclusion of the discussion the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That the review of the Low Emission Strategy 2018-2025 be approved;

(b)  That the reference from the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel in relation to staffing issues be noted and taken forward as part of the Our Futures Phase 2 restructure.