To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2017 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2017 were approved and signed subject to inserting the letter ‘E’ before Smith in Minute156/17.

Apologies for absence were received from councillors Dr Clarke, Griffiths, Lygo and Price.

Councillor Rooke declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11 by virtue of having a daughter who was an employee of the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The Chairman reported as follows:

Council paid tribute to former county councillors Mr Peter Jones and Janet Morgan and to the former Director of Social Services Ian White.  Council observed a Minute’s silence in their honour.

Council congratulated the Director of Environment and Economy on receiving reports of outstanding service from the Highways Team.

The Chairman thanked the Council for their generous contributions to the Maggie’s Centres Culture Crawl.  £439 was raised for the Charity.

The Chairman reminded members to let officers know whether they were able to attend her Charity Dinner to be held on 9^th December 2018.  Contributions towards the raffle were also welcomed.

Council was encouraged to attend the member briefing on the work of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board and the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board which would commence on the rise of Council.

Council received a Petition from Oxford Friends of the Earth requesting that the County Council set up a new Air Pollution Action Group for the City to reduce pollution to safe levels by 2020, with the necessary financial backing.

The Chairman forwarded the Petition to the Director of Environment and Economy.

27 questions with notice were asked.  Details of the questions and answers and supplementary questions and answers (where asked) are set out in Annex 1 to the minutes.

In relation to question 4 (Question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles from Councillor Howson) Councillor Hibbert-Biles gave an undertaking to provide Councillor Howson with an answer as to whether the issue of using Apprenticeship Levy money had been on the Teacher’s Joint Sub-Committee Agenda and if it had not, to get it put on the Agenda.

In relation to question 5 (Question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles from Councillor Howson) Councillor Hibbert-Biles gave an undertaking to provide Councillor Howson with a written answer detailing whether the Council was on track to meet the savings that were identified against this budget line across the whole of the Medium Term Financial Plan and if so whether or not the recent statutory guidance reissued by the Department for Education in relation to 16–18 Education (where the government was now saying that local authorities should pay more attention to the fact that the de facto leaving age had been raised to 18, that we should treat 16-18 year olds in the same way as those of statutory school age) would effect things.

In relation to question 8 (Question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles from Councillor Judy Roberts) Councillor Hibbert-Biles gave an undertaking to provide a written answer detailing how many of the 18 children that had come mid-term had accepted places and how long those children that had arrived mid- year had been out of school before they had accepted a place.

In relation to question 8 (Question to Councillor Hudspeth from Councillor Webber) Councillor Hudspeth gave an undertaking to give consideration to stopping the purchasing of papers for the member’s group rooms.

In relation to question 10 (Question to Councillor Constance from Councillor Roz Smith) Councillor Constance gave an undertaking to provide Councillor Roz Smith with a written answer detailing when the new distributor was appointed and what had happened in relation to notifying local residents prior to the installations of street lights.

In relation to question 13 (Question to Councillor Lindsay-Gale from Councillor Buckley) Councillor Lindsay-Gale gave an undertaking to meet with Councillor Buckley to discuss the lease and rent of Wolvercote Young People’s Club.

In relation to question 18 (Question to Councillor Constance from Councillor Johnson) Councillor Constance gave an undertaking to explore the idea of using the £48,000 spent on school travel in different ways such as minibuses.

In relation to question 27 (Question to Councillor Heathcoat from Councillor Bartington) Councillor Heathcoat gave an undertaking to investigate when the purchase of an AED would be actioned and respond to all members in writing.

Report of the Cabinet Meetings held on 19 September 2017 and 17 October 2017 (CC9).

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

Councillor Brighouse moved and Councillor Webber seconded that the Council Procedure Rules be suspended in relation to paragraph 1 of the Cabinet Report (Submission of Expression of Interest to the Housing Infrastructure Fund) so as to adjourn the meeting and to allow for a ‘whole Council’ discussion and question and answer session in relation to the prepared Statement from Cllr Ian Hudspeth relating to paragraph 1 and the broader issue of the Growth Deal.

The Leader of the Council read out a statement in relation to the HIP, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the minutes.

The Motion was put to the vote and was Agreed nem con.

The Council then held an extended question and answer sessions with the Leader around the Growth deal for Oxfordshire.

In relation to paragraph 4 (Corporate Plan 2017/2021) (Question from Councillor Roz Smith to Councillor Heathcoat) Councillor Heathcoat undertook to provide Councillor Roz Smith with a written answer detailing the number of prospectus printed and the associated printing costs.

In relation to paragraph 6 (The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report/The Performance Audit and Quality Assurance Annual Report and the Case Review & Governance Annual Report) (Question from Councillor Johnson to Councillor Harrod), Councillor Harrod undertook to provide Councillor Johnson with a written answer detailing the reason why 67% percent of children newly subjected to child protection plans were as a result of neglect in Oxfordshire and why this was much higher than the national average of 45%?

In relation to paragraph 7 (Queen Street Experimental TRO) (Question from Councillor Johnston to Councillor Constance), Councillor Constance undertook to provide Councillor Johnston with a written answer detailing whether the signage at the southern end of Queen Street was sufficient to warn all users that it was a shared space and whether there was any signage at the northern end to warn pedestrians that it was a shared space?

In relation to paragraph 9 (2017/18 Financial Monitoring & Business Strategy Delivery Report) (Question from Councillor Mathew to Councillor Bartholomew), Councillor Bartholomew undertook to provide Councillor Mathew with a written answer detailing the net proceeds for all county council property/asset sales in the last 3 years and how that money had been utilised?

In relation to paragraph 11 (Director of Public Health Annual Report 2016/17) (Question from Councillor Howson to Councillor Hibbert-Biles), Councillor Hibbert-Biles undertook to provide Councillor Howson with a written answer detailing why there was no mention of E-Bacc in the Director for Public Health Annual report.

Report by StrategicDirector forPeople &Director ofPublic Health (CC10).

The annual report summarises key issues associated with the Public Health of the County. It uses science and fact to describe the health of Oxfordshire and to make recommendations for the future.  It is an independent report for all organisations and individuals.

The report covers the following areas:

Chapter 1: The Demographic Challenge

Chapter 2: Building Healthy Communities

Chapter 3: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage

Chapter 4: Lifestyles and Preventing Disease Before it Starts

Chapter 5: Mental Health

Chapter 6: Fighting Killer Diseases

The report has also been considered at the Oxfordshire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 14 September 2017 and Cabinet on 7 November 2017.

Council is RECOMMENDED to receive the report and note its recommendations.

The Council had before them the 10^th Annual Report by the Director of Public Health which summarised key issues associated with the Public Health of the County. It included details of progress over the past year as well as information on future work.  It was an independent report for all organisations and individuals. 

The report had also been considered at the Oxfordshire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee in September and the Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet in November 2017.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Hibbert-Biles, seconded by Councillor Hudspeth and carried nem con) to receive the report.

“This Council notes that for most workers in local government and schools, pay and other terms and conditions are determined by the National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services.

On average NJC basic pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010. A three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 and a 1% increase annually since leaves NJC pay as the lowest in the public sector.  Differentials in pay grades are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay, settlements are needed to reflect the increased Statutory National Living Wage and rising inflation could worsen the current inequality.

We therefore support the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and call for the end of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay must not fall even further behind other parts of the public sector.

Amid local government funding pressures we call on the Government to provide the additional resources to ensure local authorities can fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.

Council resolves to ask the Leader of the Council to write:

·                to the LGA asking it to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review; and

·                to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking the additional resources needed to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review;”

Councillor Brighouse moved and Councillor Cherry seconded the following Motion:

“This Council notes that for most workers in local government and schools, pay and other terms and conditions are determined by the National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services.

On average NJC basic pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010. A three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 and a 1% increase annually since leaves NJC pay as the lowest in the public sector.  Differentials in pay grades are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay, settlements are needed to reflect the increased Statutory National Living Wage and rising inflation could worsen the current inequality.

We therefore support the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and call for the end of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay must not fall even further behind other parts of the public sector.

Amid local government funding pressures we call on the Government to provide the additional resources to ensure local authorities can fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.

Council resolves to ask the Leader of the Council to write:

·                to the LGA asking it to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review; and

·                to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking the additional resources needed to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review;”

Following debate the motion was put to the vote and was lost by 31 votes to 27.

“Oxfordshire’s growing population includes increasing numbers of both very young people and those of retirement age. Both groups are key users of public transport and especially buses. Public transport has proven environmental benefits in supporting the county’s move towards a low-carbon future.

The Council calls on Cabinet to work towards:

·            a set of principles whereby every resident has access to daily public transport. Not only would this help promote the development of communities, integrate society and allow both young and old to reside anywhere in the county, it would also be in line with the Local Transport Plan whereby “accessible bus connections will enable disabled people, the elderly and those unable to drive to travel more.”

·            creating a spider-web of bus networks within the county, with key hubs linking the strands. These hubs, serving the rural villages, would be intrinsic to connecting our towns and Oxford city. The buses would range in sizes, from minivans to full-scale buses, depending on demand.

This Council instructs Cabinet to write to bus companies encouraging them to use fares from high-use runs to subsidise those of less use within the hub network.  All bus services should be frequent and reliable. As franchises come to an end, tenders should be sought from companies to run inclusive networks, with profit from high-use routes subsidising low-use. Co-operative, mutual and social enterprise models should be encouraged in providing these services with new technological innovations, for example app-based hail-n-ride, can be part of the solution.”

With the consent of Council, Councillor Johnson moved an alteration to her motion at the suggestion of Councillor Gray as shown below in bold italics/strikethrough:

“Oxfordshire’s growing population includes increasing numbers of both very young people and those of retirement age. Both groups are key users of public transport and especially buses. Public transport has proven environmental benefits in supporting the county’s move towards a low-carbon future.

The Council calls on Cabinet to work towards:

·         a set of principles whereby every resident has access to daily public transport. Not only would this help promote the development of communities, integrate society and allow both young and old to reside anywhere in the county, it would also be in line with the Local Transport Plan whereby “accessible bus connections will enable disabled people, the elderly and those unable to drive to travel more.”

·          creating a spider-web of bus networks within the county, with key hubs linking the strands. These hubs, serving the rural villages, would be intrinsic to connecting our towns and Oxford city. The buses would range in sizes, from minivans to full-scale buses, depending on demand.

 This Council instructs asks Cabinet to write to bus companies encouraging them to use fares from high-use runs to subsidise those of less use within the  a hub network in which all bus services should be frequent and reliable. As franchises come to an end, tenders should be sought from companies to run inclusive networks, with profit from high-use routes subsidising low-use. Differing operating models such as Co-operative, mutual and social enterprise models should be encouraged in providing these services with new technological innovations, for example app-based hail-n-ride, can be part of the solution.”

Following debate, the Motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous)

“Oxfordshire’s growing population includes increasing numbers of both very young people and those of retirement age. Both groups are key users of public transport and especially buses. Public transport has proven environmental benefits in supporting the county’s move towards a low-carbon future.

The Council calls on Cabinet to work towards:

·         a set of principles whereby every resident has access to daily public transport. Not only would this help promote the development of communities, integrate society and allow both young and old to reside anywhere in the county, it would also be in line with the Local Transport Plan whereby “accessible bus connections will enable disabled people, the elderly and those unable to drive to travel more.”

·          creating a spider-web of bus networks within the county, with key hubs linking the strands. These hubs, serving the rural villages, would be intrinsic to connecting our towns and Oxford city. The buses would range in sizes, from minivans to full-scale buses, depending on demand.

This Council asks Cabinet to write to bus companies encouraging them to run  a hub network in which all bus services should be frequent and reliable. Differing operating models such as Co-operative, mutual and social enterprise models should be encouraged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168/17

“This Council welcomes in principle the Government’s announcement that it intends to ban the production of diesel and petrol-driven cars by the year 2040 in order to reduce the effects of air pollution on public health.    Recognising that, in the meanwhile, it is incumbent on all councils to play their part in reducing air pollution.

This Council instructs the Cabinet to co-operate with all Oxfordshire’s district councils urgently to identify measures that will reduce such pollution.  In particular, Council calls on Cabinet to propose a councillor-led inter-council Air Pollution Action Group to produce plans for zero-emission or low-emission zones in AQMAsand to restrict the access of polluting traffic in such areas.”

Prior to consideration of this Motion, the Chairman sought approval from Council to extend the Meeting to 4.30 pm to allow for consideration of this item.

There being some dissent, the suggestion was put to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED: (by 29 votes to 27, with 1 abstention) to extend the meeting until 4.30 pm.

With the consent of Council, Councillor John Sanders moved an alteration to his motion at the suggestion of Councillor Johnston as shown below in bold italics/strikethrough:

This Council welcomes in principle the Government’s announcement that it intends to ban the production of diesel and petrol-driven cars by the year 2040 in order to reduce the effects of air pollution on public health.    Recognising that, in the meanwhile, it is incumbent on all councils to play their part in reducing air pollution.

This Council instructs the Cabinet to co-operate with all Oxfordshire’s district councils urgently to identify further measures, and build on those in the LTP4, that will reduce such pollution.  In particular, Council calls on Cabinet to propose a councillor-led inter-council Air Pollution Action Group to produce plans for zero-emission or low-emission zones in AQMAsand to restrict the access of polluting traffic in such areas.”

Councillor Fatemian moved and Councillor Constance seconded the following amendment as shown in bold italics/strikethrough:

“This Council welcomes in principle the Government’s announcement that it intends to ban the production of diesel and petrol-driven cars by the year 2040 in order to reduce the effects of air pollution on public health.    Recognising that, in the meanwhile, it is incumbent on all councils to play their part in reducing air pollution.

This Council instructs asks the Cabinet to co-operate with all Oxfordshire’s district councils urgently to identify measures that will reduce such pollution.  In particular, Council calls on Cabinet to propose investigate how a councillor-led inter-council Air Pollution Action Group to could produce plans for zero-emission or low-emission zones in AQMAsand to restrict the access of polluting traffic in such areas.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was lost by 28 votes to 27 (the Chairman having exercised her casting vote).

The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED: (unanimous)

This Council welcomes in principle the Government’s announcement that it intends to ban the production of diesel and petrol-driven cars by the year 2040 in order to reduce the effects of air pollution on public health.    Recognising that, in the meanwhile, it is incumbent on all councils to play their part in reducing air pollution.

This Council instructs the Cabinet to co-operate with all Oxfordshire’s district councils urgently to identify further measures, and build on those in the LTP4, that will reduce such pollution.  In particular, Council calls on Cabinet to propose a councillor-led inter-council Air Pollution Action Group to produce plans for zero-emission or low-emission zones in AQMAsand to restrict the access of polluting traffic in such areas.”

"We all have right to be treated without discrimination. This Council is gravely concerned with reports of significant increase in racially motivated crimes in Oxford since the EU Referendum from an average of 16 per month to an average of 23 per month.  This Council takes pride in Oxfordshire's diversity and Community cohesion and condemns all acts of racism, xenophobia and homophobia and anti-religious expressions against any religion.  This Council is committed to work with all our partners to challenge prejudice. 

All Hate Crimes are wrong, but that which is motivated by hatred and prejudice because of race, faith, sexual orientation or Gender identity are particularly offensive.  In Britain today we are from rich mix of race, culture, believes, attitudes and life styles. Tackling hate crimes matters because of the damage it causes to the victim and his/her family, also effectively tackling it can help foster strong and positive relations between different section of community and support community cohesion.

The lead from tackling hate crimes must come from local level, with professionals, the voluntary sector and communities working together to deal with local issues.

This Council asks the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council to write to the Prime Minister with a request for an independent review of hate crime penalties open to the courts, including measures to tackle online hatred and abuse.”

The time being 4.30 pm, motions 14, 15 and 16 were considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.5.5.