Agenda item - Liveable City Centre and Ultra Low Emission Zone Initial Feasibility Study

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That the Committee note the analysis and outcomes of the initial feasibility work on creating a Liveable City Centre and expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone options for the city.

2)             That the Committee agree that the options summarised in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9 of this report (and illustrated in Chapter 3 of Appendix 1 to this report) should be developed further through more detailed, quantified assessments, which will include the development of business cases and plans for engagement and consultation to identify preferred options for each project.

3)             That the Committee requests that reports are brought back to future meetings of this committee for approval of the further development of the business cases and plans for engagement and consultation for the Liveable City Centre and expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone projects.

67.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that summarised the initial work undertaken on possible options for a Liveable City Centre (previously referred to as a Car-Free City Centre) and expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone in the city, following requests made by the committee.  It outlined the technical work undertaken to arrive at conclusions for both initiatives and summarises the initial recommendations set out in a pre-feasibility technical study.

67.2      Committee members commended the high standard of the report and highlighted the possible improvements for public health and wellbeing, improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions and the boosting the local economy.

67.3      Councillor Wares stated that the proposals needed more thought and appeared rushed and the report was an options scoping exercise not a proper feasibility study. Councillor Wares stated that on that basis, and the lack of commitment for full consultation on the proposals, the Conservative Group would be abstaining on the report.

67.4      RESOLVED-

1)             That the Committee note the analysis and outcomes of the initial feasibility work on creating a Liveable City Centre and expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone options for the city.

2)             That the Committee agree that the options summarised in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9 of this report (and illustrated in Chapter 3 of Appendix 1 to this report) should be developed further through more detailed, quantified assessments, which will include the development of business cases and plans for engagement and consultation to identify preferred options for each project.

3)             That the Committee requests that reports are brought back to future meetings of this committee for approval of the further development of the business cases and plans for engagement and consultation for the Liveable City Centre and expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone projects.