Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 07 November 2017 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 November 2017 were approved and signed subject to page 29, Supplementary answer to Question 26, replace ‘piste’ with ‘piece’ and page 20, replace ‘LINDAY’ with ‘LINDSAY’.

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Bulmer, Fawcett, Field-Johnson, McIIveen and Roz Smith.

The Chairman reported as follows:

The Chairman thanked all those who had attended her Charity dinner on Saturday evening, raising over £1,400 for the local Oxfordshire Charity OOSO supporting those with cancer and their carers. 

Council congratulated over 100 members of staff in County Hall for receiving their Long Service Awards, which had been given in recognition for 25 years of service.

Council expressed its appreciation for the hard work carried out by the Highways Team keeping Oxfordshire’s roads clear during the period of bad weather.

Council paid tribute and observed a minute’s silence in memory to former county councillor Sam Segaran.

Council had before it an appointment to the Planning & Regulation Committee for approval.

RESOLVED: (nem con) to appoint Councillor Richard Webber in place of Councillor Kirsten Johnson on the Planning & Regulation Committee.

Ms Naomi Richardson spoke in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Motion From Councillor Emily Smith), requesting that Council set aside the motion that was before them and instead address the following issues:

·                lack of school places;

·                the deliberate off-rolling of kids;

·                the crisis in child and adolescent mental health;

·                the issue of young carers;

·                the failure of schools to adequately provide for SEN pupils;

In most cases, families who were struggling had already come to the attention of social services, health services and sometimes the police, before the decision to home educate.  In her opinion it was a failure of process that saw those families not followed up properly, not a lack of powers.  She urged Council to table a motion around the issues set out above, commenting that home educators would be very happy to help draft it.

2 questions with notice were asked.  Details of the questions and answers and supplementary questions and answers will be set out in Annex 1 to the minutes.

Report of the Cabinet Meeting held on 28 November 2017 (CC9).

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

Report by Director of Finance (CC10).

The report sets out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the first half of the financial year 2017/18 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.  The report includes Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator monitoring and forecast interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the revision to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement & Annual Investment Strategy 2017/18.

Council had before it a report which set out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the first half of the financial year 2017/18 in compliance with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.  The report included Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator monitoring and forecasts for interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

The Cabinet had considered and endorsed the report at their Meeting on 28 November 2017.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Bartholomew, seconded by Councillor Hudspeth and carried nem con) to note the Council’s Mid-Term Treasury Management Review 2017/18.

Report by the Assistant Chief Executive CC11.

The report provides an update on the activities of the Oxfordshire-wide partnerships that are key for building thriving communities and progressing county-wide priorities around health and wellbeing, safeguarding, community safety and economic growth.

Each partnership report addresses the following points:

•          The current focus for the Partnership;

•          The personnel (Chairman and supporting staff) of the Partnership

•          The Partnership's governance arrangements;

•          The Partnership's key achievements in the last year;

•          The aims for the Partnership in the year ahead;

•            The key challenges for the Partnership and how these will be addressed going forward.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

The Council had before it the Annual Partnerships Update report which provided an overview on the activities of the Oxfordshire-wide partnerships that were key for building thriving communities and progressing county-wide priorities around health and wellbeing, safeguarding, community safety and economic growth.

Each partnership report addressed the following points: the current focus for the Partnership; the personnel (Chairman and supporting staff) of the Partnership; the Partnership's governance arrangements; the Partnership's key achievements in the last year; the aims for the Partnership in the year ahead and the key challenges for the Partnership and how those would be addressed going forward.

Councillor Hudspeth moved and Councillor Heathcoat seconded that the recommendations set out on the face of the Agenda be adopted.  The motion was put to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED: (nem con) to note the report.

“We as elected members of this Council deplore the use of social media to denigrate members of the public and elected members at all levels of public life.

In the words of the Prime Minister:

“All of us should have due care and attention to the way we refer to other people and should show those within public life the respect they deserve.”

And in the words of the Leader of Her Majesty’s opposition:

“So I say to all activists, cut the personal abuse, cut the cyber bullying online.”

We therefore pledge that as elected members and representatives of our political parties we will:

·                not ourselves misuse social media;

·                seek out and stop any personal attacks by our own political parties, the elected members of our parties, paid up members and activists of our political parties; and

·                show due respect to the people we represent and to our elected colleagues.”

Councillor Mallon moved and Councillor Cherry seconded the following motion:

“We as elected members of this Council deplore the use of social media to denigrate members of the public and elected members at all levels of public life.

In the words of the Prime Minister:

“All of us should have due care and attention to the way we refer to other people and should show those within public life the respect they deserve.”

And in the words of the Leader of Her Majesty’s opposition:

“So I say to all activists, cut the personal abuse, cut the cyber bullying online.”

We therefore pledge that as elected members and representatives of our political parties we will:

·                not ourselves misuse social media;

·                seek out and stop any personal attacks by our own political parties, the elected members of our parties, paid up members and activists of our political parties; and

·                show due respect to the people we represent and to our elected colleagues.”

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 56 votes to 0, with 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:  accordingly.

“The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) Annual Report highlights a 21% increase in the number of children being educated at home. Many children being electively home educated thrive academically and socially in this setting, but others do not. This Council offers some information and support to families and children who are educated at home but contact with us is voluntary and take up is inconsistent.

Professionals have limited opportunities to identify those children who are not receiving a satisfactory education and for safeguarding concerns to be identified. Parents can refuse access to the home and the child, which poses a safeguarding risk, especially in the case of vulnerable children.

This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to government requesting local authorities be given greater powers and funding to access and assess children who are home educated, to help ensure they are receiving a satisfactory education and are safe."

With the Consent of Council, Councillor Emily Smith moved and Councillor Howson seconded an alteration to her Motion as shown in bold italics/strikethrough below:

“The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) Annual Report highlights a 21% increase in the number of children recorded as Electively Home Educated being educated at home. Many children being electively home educated thrive academically and socially in this setting, but others do not there are a small number who may not be getting the support they need. This Council offers some information and support to families and children who are recorded as Electively Home Educated educated at home but contact with us is voluntary and take up is inconsistent.

Professionals have limited opportunities to identify those children who are not receiving a satisfactory education and for safeguarding concerns to be identified. Parents can refuse access to the home and the child, which poses a safeguarding risk, especially in the case of vulnerable children.

This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to government requesting local authorities be given greater powers and funding to access and assess children who are categorised as home educated in our data, to help ensure they are receiving a satisfactory education and are safe."

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

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

“The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) Annual Report highlights a 21% increase in the number of children recorded as Electively Home Educated. Many children being electively home educated thrive academically and socially in this setting, there are a small number who may not be getting the support they need. This Council offers some information and support to families and children who are recorded as Electively Home Educated but contact with us is voluntary and take up is inconsistent.

Professionals have limited opportunities to identify those children who are not receiving a satisfactory education and for safeguarding concerns to be identified. Parents can refuse access to the child, which poses a safeguarding risk, especially in the case of vulnerable children.

This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to government requesting local authorities be given greater powers and funding to access and assess children who are categorised as home educated in our data, to help ensure they are receiving a satisfactory education and are safe."

"We all have the right to be treated without discrimination. This Council is gravely concerned with reports of significant increases 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, 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 a rich mix of races, culture, beliefs 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 sections of the 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.”

Councillor Azad moved and Councillor Evans seconded the following motion:

"We all have the right to be treated without discrimination. This Council is gravely concerned with reports of significant increases 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, 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 a rich mix of races, culture, beliefs 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 sections of the 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.”

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: accordingly.

"The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway has been the subject of much comment and concern within the County.  The process which is proposed means that Highways England will select a route with no opportunity for members of the public or their representatives to comment on the assessment of need for the road or the local impact of any particular proposed route.  This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to Highways England, the National Infrastructure Commission and the relevant government departments calling for a Public Enquiry into the need for the road and the selection of a route, so that everyone involved has the opportunity to have their views properly taken into account, and to set up a cross-party Committee to look at all aspects of the impact of the Expressway."

Councillor Atkins moved and Councillor John Sanders seconded the following motion:

"The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway has been the subject of much comment and concern within the County.  The process which is proposed means that Highways England will select a route with no opportunity for members of the public or their representatives to comment on the assessment of need for the road or the local impact of any particular proposed route.  This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to Highways England, the National Infrastructure Commission and the relevant government departments calling for a Public Enquiry into the need for the road and the selection of a route, so that everyone involved has the opportunity to have their views properly taken into account, and to set up a cross-party Committee to look at all aspects of the impact of the Expressway."

Following debate, the Motion was put to the vote and was carried by 49 votes to 5, with 1 abstention.

RESOLVED: (accordingly).

“Council agrees that the intention of Universal Credit (UC) to make benefits less complicated and to allow those in low paid work to keep more of their wages is a good idea, but believes that the evidence demonstrates that the UC process is flawed and causing unnecessary hardship to local families.

Council notes that UC was deliberately introduced on a slow rollout so that any issues could be seen and corrected before the benefit was introduced to all claimants.

Council further notes that the evidence of district councils and others across the country is that UC is causing huge increases in rent arrears and in general debt levels amongst claimants, many of whom have never been in debt before. In addition, evidence demonstrates that most private landlords and even some housing associations are refusing to accept tenants receiving UC, leading to an increase in those registering as homeless and seeking temporary accommodation.

Council therefore resolves to call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, making these points, requesting that the Government addresses these issues, and that the roll-out is halted until all problems are fixed.”

Councillor Hannaby moved and Councillor Webber seconded the following motion:

“Council agrees that the intention of Universal Credit (UC) to make benefits less complicated and to allow those in low paid work to keep more of their wages is a good idea, but believes that the evidence demonstrates that the UC process is flawed and causing unnecessary hardship to local families.

Council notes that UC was deliberately introduced on a slow rollout so that any issues could be seen and corrected before the benefit was introduced to all claimants.

Council further notes that the evidence of district councils and others across the country is that UC is causing huge increases in rent arrears and in general debt levels amongst claimants, many of whom have never been in debt before. In addition, evidence demonstrates that most private landlords and even some housing associations are refusing to accept tenants receiving UC, leading to an increase in those registering as homeless and seeking temporary accommodation.

Council therefore resolves to call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, making these points, requesting that the Government addresses these issues, and that the roll-out is halted until all problems are fixed.”

Councillor Constance moved and Councillor Walker seconded the following amendment shown in strikethrough below:

“Council agrees that the intention of Universal Credit (UC) to make benefits less complicated and to allow those in low paid work to keep more of their wages is a good idea, but believes that the evidence demonstrates that the UC process is flawed and causing unnecessary hardship to local families.

Council notes that UC was deliberately introduced on a slow rollout so that any issues could be seen and corrected before the benefit was introduced to all claimants.

Council further notes that the evidence of district councils and others across the country is that UC is causing huge increases in rent arrears and in general debt levels amongst claimants, many of whom have never been in debt before. In addition, evidence demonstrates that most private landlords and even some housing associations are refusing to accept tenants receiving UC, leading to an increase in those registering as homeless and seeking temporary accommodation.

Council therefore resolves to call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, making these points, requesting that the Government addresses these issues, and that the roll-out is halted until all problems are fixed.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was carried by 29 votes to 24.

The substantive motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  (unanimous)

“Council agrees that the intention of Universal Credit (UC) to make benefits less complicated and to allow those in low paid work to keep more of their wages is a good idea, but believes that the evidence demonstrates that the UC process is flawed and causing unnecessary hardship to local families.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184/17