Agenda item

Councillor Jean Fooks had given notice of the following question to Councillor David Nimmo Smith

“Money for Cycling in the city

It is of course very welcome that the Government has allocated some funds to the County Council to improve Cycling in Oxford. When this was originally announced, the Cabinet member was quoted as saying that it would be directed towards providing a comprehensive cycling network across the city. It now seems as if it is going to a major project or two – not to supporting the development of a joined-up network across the city after all. Can the Cabinet member confirm that it remains his ambition to support the development of a proper network, with no gaps as at present and safe junctions throughout, to encourage more people to feel it is safe to cycle in Oxford?

Further, can he ask officers to investigate how Oxfordshire children could benefit very much more than at present from Bikeability training  grants from the Dft? It is very disappointing to see that while Cambridgeshire has been awarded £204,160 for 2015/16, Oxfordshire has only been awarded £8,800.”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

The Draft Oxford Transport Strategy demonstrates a commitment to citywide cycling improvements and proposes a network of cycle super routes, premium routes and connector routes linking all parts of the city.  The recent projects for which we have secured funding (including Access to Headington, The Plain, and the Riverside routes to the city centre) will form an important part of this network, working towards our aim of a joined up cycling network across the city.  We are also developing proposals for smaller schemes to fill in missing gaps in on-road cycle provision and provide new quiet connector routes at relatively low cost.  This work is due to be completed in the spring and could form part of future funding bids.

The main reason for Oxfordshire's relatively low Bikeability funding award is that we have a different, and very successful, model for providing cycle training in schools, using an established network of volunteers trained by qualified staff.  This is managed as part of the Council's Fire & Public Safety work.  This programme is topped up by Bikeability training in some areas where the Oxfordshire model is not able to provide what we need.

Supplementary: Councillor Fooks asked when the consultation would takeplace and the procedure to be followed. She also asked why Bikeability was not available to Cherwell School. In response Councillor Nimmo Smith explained that he could not give an exact timetable now but would advise her when he had that information. He would investigate the reason why Bikeability was not available to Cherwell School and respond to Councillor Fooks directly.

Councillor John Tanner had given notice of the following question to Councillor Melinda Tilley

‘The County Council claims that “almost 91 per cent (90.98) of Oxfordshire children due to start secondary school this year have been allocated a place at their first-preference school”. Would you tell me how many children, and what percentage, living in my Isis division and in the wider Oxford City were offered their first choice of secondary school and how many were not?’

Councillor Tilley replied:

“To answer this question at this stage would require officers, currently working to  ensure  that primary school allocations are made on time, being pulled off this important task. The answer will be passed directly to Councillor Tanner and all councillors as soon as possible.”

Supplementary: Councillor Tanner asked when he would get an answer and queried whether, from the information provided to Councillor Sanders, Councillor Tilley agreed that at least 62 children in the City had not received their first preference. In response Councillor Tilley, confirming that the figures referred to in Councillor Tanners question were correct and not a “claim” by the County Council, indicated that as soon as the primary places were done Councillor Tanner would get an answer. She did not know whether the figure of 62 was right.

Councillor Gill Sanders had given notice of the following question to Councillor Melinda Tilley

‘’Whilst I recognize that almost 91% of Oxfordshire children due to start secondary school this year have been allocated a place at their first-preference school, and that the figure is very slightly higher than last year’s, this still means that over 9% of children have not been given their first choice.  A larger percentage of children have been allocated places at either their second or third choices with over 2% still not being lucky enough to have been allocated a place at any of their listed preferred schools.

 Could Councillor Tilley please ask officers to prepare a detailed list of secondary schools that have been oversubscribed and those that are undersubscribed and to circulate to all councillors in order that they can be informed of any problems with place allocations in their individual divisions?

 It would also be helpful if the primary schools where most problems of children not being able to access their first or second choices of secondary schools could be listed to give a complete picture of the problems.’’

Councillor Tilley replied:

The document (attached as an annex to these minutes) lists the number of first preferences received on time for each school and compares these with the number of places being made available. The analysis of primary school applications will be available in due course.

Supplementary: Councillor Sanders, welcomed the information, looked forward to receiving the primary school figures and commented that some of the secondary school figures were worrying and asked if Councillor Tilley agreed that more work was needed to encourage parents to use local schools. She also referred to the large number of houses planned and the need to ensure school places were available. Councillor Tilley replied that officers were working 5 -10 years ahead to plan places. It was not possible for everyone to get their first choice but Oxfordshire had a good record.

Councillor Glynis Phillips had given notice of the following question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles

“Is the Rectory Road Sexual Health clinic Equality Act 2010 compliant? I have received a complaint from a patient with mobility difficulties who was advised that she could not attend the clinic (which is on the first floor) at a time convenient for her because the lift is accessible through the Drug & Alcohol service and the opening times do not always co-incide.”

Councillor Hibbert Biles replied:

“The Sexual Health Service at Rectory Road Clinic is compliant with the 2010 Equality Act. There are other services which are provided at this building and access to the lift to the first floor where the services are located is via the Drug & Alcohol service. Those who are wishing to access services who have mobility issues are welcome at this site by appointment to ensure that they have access arranged  to the lift at the time of their visit.

There are also fully accessible services available to service users a short distance away at the Churchill site for those who do not find the times available at Rectory Road suitable to them.”

Supplementary: Councillor Phillips commented that the reply was disappointing as she believed the services should be accessible to all the people at all open times. It was not always appropriate to get an appointment and there were times when immediate access was needed. Councillor Phillips asked if Councillor Hibbert Biles was content with the level of access and if not what she intended to do. Councillor Hibbert Biles replied that with a change of provider there was an opportunity to change the internal arrangement to improve matters. Things were not perfect but it was one of the best services. She had received no other complaint and would welcome receiving more details of the patient. The building was DDA compliant. Councillor Phillips added that if it was possible to make an appointment to attend in the morning and have access to the lift then it would be helpful if that could be publicised.