Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment & Future Generations

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/315

Contact: Paul Gambrell,Team leader – Zero Emission Vehicles, Innovation Service

paul.gambrell@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve a key decision to permit the procurement of a hydrogen production and refuelling rig that will be fully funded by an external grant and will be installed on the Highways Depot at Drayton.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report on the Hyer Power Project, an initiative to develop hydrogen fuel-cell powered emergency vehicles, including a prototype fire engine and potentially other specialised vehicles like ambulances. The project was fully funded by a £3.9M grant from APC/Innovate UK, with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) receiving £1.56M to cover all its costs.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, presented the report.

During discussion, members noted that the County Council was taking a leading position, nationally, on the development of hydrogen power for the uses referred to in the report.

Councillor Sudbury moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendation, and it were approved.

RESOLVED to approve a key decision to permit the procurement of a hydrogen production and refuelling rig that will be fully funded by an external grant and will be installed on the Highways Depot at Drayton.