The decision to focus Oxford’s efforts on attaining World Book Capital status rather than UK Capital of Culture is a good one.

Treading the Capital of Culture Route is an uncertain process. One is never quite sure what the judges are seeking. Is it a world-class city with an unrivalled cultural heritage such as Oxford? Or is it a redevelopment opportunity for a city that has fallen on hard times?

With a likely change of Government next year, the process is even more uncertain.

Seeking the nomination as UNESCO’s World Book Capital in 2014 is an altogether more achievable project.

Oxford already has the building blocks in place with its world-leading University, libraries and publishers. Add to this mix an extraordinary number of authors for the size of the city (and that is just the living ones!), one of the biggest and best annual literary festivals in the UK and a thriving cultural scene, and you have the makings of a very good bid.

It will need all of these partners to work together to produce a first-class programme of events and projects for 2014. That is more than achievable.

World Book Capital may not bring a big financial prize to Oxford and Oxfordshire but it has the capacity to involve each one of us in a celebration of the written word. For example, every school in Oxfordshire could be involved and, for that alone, its impact could be felt for many years to come.