Return to AgendaITEM CC1OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
MINUTES of the meeting of the County Council held at County Hall on Tuesday 17 June 2008 commencing at 10.00 am and finishing at 5.52 pm.
Present:
Councillor TONY CRABBE – in the chair
Councillors:
M Altaf-Khan Alan Armitage Lynda Atkins Michael Badcock Roger Belson Maurice Billington Norman Bolster Mrs Gail Bones Ann Bonner Liz Brighouse Iain Brown Alan Bryden Nick Carter Patrick Cartledge Louise Chapman Jim Couchman Sushila Dhall Surinder Dhesi John Farrow Mrs Anda Fitzgerald-O’Connor Jean Fooks Mrs C Fulljames Barbara Gatehouse Deborah Glass Woodin Michael Gibbard Janet Godden Sue Haffenden Timothy Hallchurch MBE Pete Handley Jenny Hannaby Neville F Harris David Harvey Steve Hayward Mrs J Heathcoat Hilary Hibbert-Biles John Howell OBE Ian Hudspeth Ray Jelf Bob Johnston Terry Joslin Colin Lamont Lesley Legge Kieron Mallon Olive McIntosh-Stedman Keith R Mitchell CBE David Nimmo-Smith Zoé Patrick Anne Purse G A Reynolds Dermot Roaf David Robertson Rodney Rose John Sanders Larry Sanders Don Seale Chip Sherwood C H Shouler Craig Simmons Peter Skolar Roz Smith Val Smith Lawrie Stratford Melinda Tilley Nicholas P Turner Carol Viney Michael Waine David Wilmshurst Chris Wise
The Council considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting and decided as set out below. Except insofar as otherwise specified, the reasons for the decisions are contained in the agenda and reports, copies of which are attached to the signed Minutes.
38/08 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
(a) Minutes
On Minute 31/08 (Question 3), Councillor Handley reported that RAF Brize Norton was located in the Division of Carterton South West and not the Division of Burford and Carterton North East as stated in Councillor Mitchell’s answer. He added that he, and not the Member for the Burford and Carterton North East Division, had written the letter referred to in paragraph 3 of the answer.
On Minute 31/08 (Question 14), Councillor Fooks moved and Councillor Bryden seconded that, after the word “irrelevant”, the words “equivalent to pub quiz trivia” should be added to the supplementary answer. The motion was lost by a majority.
On Minute 35/08, Councillor Crabbe said that he had ruled out of order incorrectly the right of Councillor R Smith to sum up on her motion and apologised for his error.
RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 1 April 2008 be approved and signed as a correct record.
(b) Matters arising on the Minutes
On Minute 31/08 (Question 2), line 36, Councillor Legge asked why the Leader of the Council had made a political statement and had said “I just hope that the Town and District Council Leaderships will be able to put aside political differences”.
On Minute 31/08 (Question 15), Councillor Patrick asked whether the Leader of the Council had commissioned the work referred to in paragraph 3 (bullet point 3). Councillor Mitchell reported that, in the light of a conversation he had had with a representative of Mr Crozier, Chief Executive, Royal Mail Group, he had decided that such work would take the Council no further and had therefore not commissioned the work. He reminded all members that they had been sent a copy of the letter to Mr Crozier.
On Minute 31/08 (Question 17), Council was advised that the following response has been sent to Councillor Fooks:
“In general, provided there are no hitches the time taken from awareness of the vacancy to offering the post following receipt of satisfactory references is approximately 10 weeks. This period covers the advertising, shortlisting, interviewing and taking up references. If a post needs job evaluating it can take up to a further 4 weeks. The Toolkit provided for Managers sets out the timelines and process.”
39/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marilyn Badcock, Greene, Mathew, Service and D Turner.
40/08 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
The following declarations of interest were made:
41/08 OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS (Agenda Item 4)
(a) The Council received a report from the County Returning Officer on the outcome of the by-election for Kidlington and Yarnton division held on 1 May 2008. The Chairman welcomed Councillor Michael Gibbard to his first meeting of the Council;
(b) The Chairman also reported as follows:
(1) The Vice-Chairman had attended an army event in Bicester at which the County Council had been formally thanked for the funding it had given to returning troops. He added that he too had attended events at which County Council had been formally thanked for the funding it had given to returning troops.
(2) The death of former Councillor Christopher Bartrum who had represented Witney North from 1985-1993
Councillors Mitchell, Roaf and Brighouse paid tribute to him.
(3) The death of former Councillor Stan Taylor who had represented Oxford (Temple Cowley) from 1981-1985
Councillors Robertson, Brighouse, Fooks and L Sanders paid tribute to him.
Council observed a minute’s silence in their memory.
(4) The retirement of Hugo Brunner, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire before the next meeting of Council. Council was also advised that he had been appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The Chairman reported that he would be hosting a reception for him on 8 August 2008.
Councillors Patrick, Mitchell, Brighouse and L Sanders paid tribute to his work on behalf of Oxfordshire and congratulated him on his knighthood.
(5) Phil Hodgson, former Assistant Director, Social Services and now Corporate Director of Community Services, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council had been appointed a MBE for services to local government.
Councillor Godden paid tribute to his work for the County Council.
The Chairman said that he would send the Council’s congratulations to him.
42/08 APPOINTMENTS (Agenda Item 5)
(a) RESOLVED: to make changes to membership as follows:
(b) The Chairman reported that Councillor Joslin had been appointed to chair the Harwell Campus Local Stakeholder Group for the next 3 years.
43/08 PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS (Agenda Item 6)
(a) Patrick Coulter petitioned Council on behalf of Highfield, Oxford residents (approximately 300 signatures)
"We are residents in the Highfield area of Headington. More than two-thirds of the motor traffic through our residential streets is through traffic cutting between Old Road and London Road. Both the volume and the speed place a growing and unacceptable strain on our community, and a potential danger to residents. We understand the Council is now committed to bringing in 20 mph speed limits throughout the Highfield area, which we welcome. We additionally urge the Council without delay (1) to explore different ways of introducing residents-only access, flexibly operated, and (2) to prepare options to be put out to consultation with our community before any scheme is finalised.”
The petition was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.
(b) Richard Lawrence-Wilson, Chairman of Governors petitioned Council on behalf of Wolvercote Primary School
“The residents of the parish of Wolvercote and parents of children at Wolvercote Primary School request Oxfordshire County Council to introduce a 20 mph zone covering Upper and Lower Wolvercote as soon as possible.”
The petition was referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport.
(c) Tony Henman addressed Council on behalf of Weston-on-the-Green and 15 other parishes on Agenda Item 18
(d) Jeannie McGeehin addressed Council on behalf of Wendlebury on Agenda Item 18
(e) Roger Evans addressed Council about the planning requirements/ issues and the SSSI on Agenda Item 18.
The addresses were considered with Agenda Item 18.
44/08 REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION (Agenda Item 8)
The Council had before it a report on the review of the Constitution (CC8). Council was advised that the Constitution had been in place since November 2001. There had been a major review at the end of 2003/beginning of 2004, and another at the end of 2005, along with a minor review at the time of the introduction of individual Cabinet Member delegated decisions in 2006.
In January 2007, the Group Leaders had agreed to defer a review of the Constitution until the final shape of the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Bill (now a 2007 Act) had become clearer and also to take account of any advice emerging from the Department for Communities and Local Government in respect of scrutiny of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and other partnerships and external organisations.
Although the Government guidance had not been produced, the review had proceeded as planned.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Patrick and carried nem con) to:
(a) adopt the changes proposed in respect of the items set out in Annex 1 to the report with immediate effect; and,
(b) authorise the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution to give effect to (a) above.
45/08 REVIEW OF POLITICAL BALANCE (Agenda Item 9)
The Council had before it a report on the review of political balance (CC9). Council was advised that, following the by-election in the Kidlington and Yarnton Division on 1 May 2008, a request had been made to review the allocation of seats to political groups, in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 (as amended).
Councillor Robertson moved and Councillor Viney seconded that recommendations (a) and (c) be adopted and that Councillor Hayward be appointed to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Fooks moved and Councillor Patrick seconded that recommendations (b) and (c) be adopted. The motion was lost by 38 votes to 19.
RESOLVED: (by 37 votes to 3 votes) to:
(a) retain the existing "10-councillor" option for the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee with the following allocations: Conservative (6 + 3), Labour (1), Liberal Democrat (2) and Green (1);
(b) appoint Councillors Marilyn Badcock, Bonner, Carter, Fitzgerald-O’Connor, Fooks, Glass-Woodin, Haffenden, Handley, Hayward, Nimmo-Smith, V Smith, D Turner and Viney to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee.
46/08 MEETING DATES 2009/10 (Agenda Item 10)
The Council had before it the schedule of meeting dates proposed for the 2009/10 Council year (CC10). Council was advised that the directors and political groups had been consulted on a draft schedule, which had been drawn up to reflect the various rules about frequency of meetings set out in the Council’s Constitution.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by the Chairman and seconded by the Vice-Chairman) to approve the dates of meetings for 2009/10 as set out in CC10.
47/08 ANNUAL PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT II (Agenda Item 11)
The Council had before it the Annual Public Health Report II (CC11) by the Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire which had been considered by the Cabinet. The recommendations in the report were made for all organisations in Oxfordshire and for the public. The report detailed progress made in the last year; set out challenges for the next year; and aimed to galvanise further action on five main threats to the future health, wellbeing and prosperity of Oxfordshire. These main long-term threats were:
· breaking the cycle of deprivation; · an ageing population – the “demographic time bomb”; · mental health and wellbeing: avoiding a Cinderella service (newly added this year); · preventing obesity: a major cause of chronic disease; and · fighting killer infections.
The report was designed to summarise the major health and wellbeing needs for Oxfordshire's residents so as to influence the planning of public services, including Oxfordshire County Council's, during 2008/9.
Councillor Fooks pointed out that the reference in Tables 6 and 8 to “North Oxfordshire” should read “North Oxford”.
RESOLVED: (nem con) to receive the report and to note in particular the general recommendations in the report.
48/08 OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2007/08 (Agenda Item 12)
The Council had before it the annual report 2007/08 (CC12). Council was advised that the Cabinet had considered a working draft of the Annual Report, the final version of which was submitted to the Council for approval.
The report contained an overview of the previous year, highlighting the Council’s achievements and successes. In particular, the report examined achievements in the following four areas: World Class Economy; Environment and Climate Changes; Healthy and Thriving Communities; and Better Public Services.
The Cabinet had endorsed the draft Annual Report, subject to comments from the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee, the inclusion of the necessary detailed appendices and any editorial changes agreed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.
Councillor Mitchell moved and Councillor Robertson seconded the adoption of the recommendation.
Councillor Brighouse moved and Councillor Harris seconded the following amendment:
“The Cabinet RECOMMENDS Council to approve the Annual Report, subject to:
(a) (i) in Page 2, deleting “largely because exam results were not improving quickly enough” and inserting “because of inspectors’ concerns about educational achievement and child protection”, and
(ii) in Page 31, deleting “it had been judged that exams results were not improving quickly enough” and inserting “of inspectors’ concerns about educational achievement and child protection”;
After debate, the amendment was lost by 38 votes to 24.
RESOLVED: (by 37 votes to 25) to approve the Annual Report, subject to:
(a) final presentational and editorial changes being agreed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive and to the correction of “Standford-in-the-Vale” to read Stanford-in-the-Vale”;
(b) final proof reading; and
(c) the insertion of the Summary of Accounts and the Best Value Performance indicator annexes.
49/08 MINIMUM REVENUE PROVISION METHODOLOGY (Agenda Item 13)
The Council had before it a report on Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology (Agenda Item 13). Council was advised that the Cabinet had considered a report regarding the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) methodology used by the authority, applicable to the 2007/08 accounts and beyond. The MRP is a statutory charge relating to the repayment of debt.
The statement is required as, until 2007/08, the basis of the calculation for the MRP was specified in legislation. However, the government has now issued legislation and guidance that gives local authorities more freedom to determine what is a prudent level of MRP. The Cabinet considered the options for prudent provision and the MRP statement set out in the report.
The policy already in place in the Council was reflected in Options 1 and 3 presented by Government guidance, as set out in the report to the Cabinet; consequently the statement requiring approval by Council was a confirmation of existing practice and not a change in policy.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Shouler and seconded by Councillor Mitchell and carried nem con) to approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology as follows:
“For capital expenditure incurred before 1 April 2008 or which in the future will relate to Supported Capital Expenditure, the MRP policy will be based on existing regulations (Option 1 – Regulatory Method).
From 1 April 2008, for all unsupported borrowing, the MRP policy will be based on the estimated life of the assets for which the borrowing is undertaken (Option 3 – Asset Life Method).”
50/08 REPORTS OF THE CABINET (Agenda Item 14)
The Council had before it:
(a) Report of the Cabinet meetings on 18 March 2008, 15 April 2008 and 20 May 2008 (CC14(a)).
On paragraph 5 (Establishment Review), Councillor Harris asked how many part-time employees were included in the figures for full-time employees. Councillor Mitchell agreed to provide a written answer to Councillor Harris.
RESOLVED: to receive the report.
(b) Report on Partnership Working in Oxfordshire (CC14(b))
In response to questions from Councillors Bryden and Legge, Councillor Mitchell agreed to ask the officers to provide details of decisions of each of the partnership boards after meetings and to publish agenda on the County Council website (as is done for County Council meetings) within the next three months if possible and to ask the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils how they nominated their representatives and, if the representatives were all parish council representatives, to ask the Association to consider nominating parish and town council representatives.
RESOLVED: to receive the report.
51/08 STANDARDS COMMITTEE – TERMS OF REFERENCE (Agenda Item 15)
The Council had before it a report on the terms of reference of the Standards Committee (Agenda Item 15). Council was advised that the Standards Committee, at its meeting on 8 May 2008, had considered a report on the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007: Local Handling of Complaints. The Act and Regulations made under the Act required all but the most serious complaints about Member conduct to be dealt with at a local level, rather than by the Standards Board for England. As a result, the Committee’s terms of reference needed to be changed to reflect the new responsibilities.
The additions required to the terms of reference were set out in the schedule of business and were as follows:
Additions to the Role and Function on pages G1 and G2 of the Constitution:
“(8) To carry out initial assessments of allegations under Section 57A of the Local Government Act 2000.
(9) To carry out reviews under Section 57B of the Local Government Act 2000.
(10) To determine any matters referred to it in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) (Local Determination) Regulations 2003 as subsequently amended.”
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Michael Badcock and seconded by Councillor Bolster and carried nem con) to amend Section G of the Constitution (The Standards Committee) by the addition to its Role and Function of: “(8) To carry out initial assessments of allegations under Section 57A of the Local Government Act 2000.
(9) To carry out reviews under Section 57B of the Local Government Act 2000.
(10) To determine any matters referred to it in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) (Local Determination) Regulations 2003 as subsequently amended.”
with effect from 17 June 2008 to give effect to the arrangements for the local consideration of allegations of breaches of the Code of Conduct, to include the requirement for Members wishing to sit on a sub-committee of the Committee to have received the appropriate training.
52/08 SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT (Agenda Item 16)
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Stratford and seconded by Councillor Tilley and carried by 37 votes to 3) to receive the report.
53/08 QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL (Agenda Item 17)
30 questions with notice were asked. Details of the questions and answers and the supplementary questions and answers, where asked and given, are set out in the Annex (download as .doc file) to the minutes.
The Chairman advised the councillors who had been unable to ask a supplementary question because there had been insufficient time that they could send their supplementary question to the relevant Cabinet Member for reply. Copies of supplementary questions and answers where asked would be circulated to all members.
54/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR TIMOTHY HALLCHURCH (Agenda Item 18)
The Chairman ruled that agenda items 18 and 27 should be debated together but voted on separately.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Hallchurch and seconded by Councillor Hudspeth and carried by 56 votes to 8):
“Council asks the Cabinet to give careful consideration to:
(a) the impact of the proposed eco-town of 35,000 people on the successful economic development of Bicester; (b) the impact of the proposed eco-town on the transport network especially congestion on the A34 and M40 at J9 and minor roads and lanes in the area; (c) whether the proposed new railway station, tram system and modifications to the M40 J9 are affordable and will provide the benefits claimed by the developer; (d) the impact of the proposed eco-town on Oxford’s Green Belt as a quarter of the proposed site will be within the Green Belt; (e) whether the proposed eco-town is environmentally sustainable when it seems inevitable that there will be substantial traffic growth; (f) the impact of concreting over 2000 acres of farm land to the flooding threat; (g) the impact on the loss of wildlife habitats as part of the proposed development includes Woodsides Meadow Nature Reserve, and other meadows owned and managed by BBOWT; (h) the fact that Oxfordshire has had restrictions on water use, how will the eco-town impact on the water supply and to other services such as sewage and electricity; (i) the impact on Oxfordshire schooling, hospitals, library services, social services, waste collection and disposal and other services provided by the local authorities.
The Council also deplores the lack of consultation with Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and other bodies by the Government before they short listed the proposed Weston-Otmoor eco-town.”
(Councillor Shouler left the Chamber for consideration of this item.)
55/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR DHALL (Agenda Item 19)
Councillor Dhall moved and Councillor Simmons seconded the following motion:
“Given that:
(a) St Giles functions as only two lanes of traffic for most of its length even though it is 6 lanes wide; (b) The Radcliffe Infirmary is to be redeveloped in such a way as to attract hundreds of extra cycle journeys a day and there will be Section 106 money to do something to make life easier for them; (c) St Giles is a beautiful street which many people only see from its margins and therefore cannot appreciate fully; (d) Thousands of visitors come to Oxford every year, and they currently cannot fully appreciate the beauty of St Giles and the direct walk from Martyrs Memorial to the St Giles Church; and (e) It is currently very difficult to cross St Giles on foot.
Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to conduct a feasibility study into closing off the eastern half of St Giles, bringing the two lanes in vehicular use closer together, and freeing up the rest of St Giles for the general use and enjoyment of residents, students, and visitors to Oxford City Centre.”
Councillor Armitage moved and Councillor R Smith seconded the following amendment shown in italic type and by strikethrough:
“Given that:
(a) St Giles functions as only two lanes of traffic for most of its length even though it is 6 lanes wide; (b) The Radcliffe Infirmary is to be redeveloped in such a way as to attract hundreds of extra cycle journeys a day and there will be Section 106 money to do something to make life easier for them; (c) St Giles is a beautiful street which many people only see from its margins and therefore cannot appreciate fully; (d) Thousands of visitors come to Oxford every year, and they currently cannot fully appreciate the beauty of St Giles and the direct walk from Martyrs Memorial to the St Giles Church; and (e) It is currently very difficult to cross St Giles on foot.
Council is asked to refer the motion to
the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee
Councillors Dhall and Simmons accepted the amendment.
After debate, the motion as amended was lost by 43 votes to 18.
56/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR LARRY SANDERS (Agenda Item 20)
Councillor L Sanders moved and Councillor Simmons seconded the following motion:
“The cost of living in Oxfordshire is significantly higher than in most of the rest of Britain. The national minimum wage is not enough for an individual or family in Oxfordshire to avoid the consequences of poverty and social exclusion. Low income is associated with poor health, crime and low educational attainments for children. There is a national movement to require a minimum wage which provides an adequate income. This is referred to as a 'living wage'. The London Assembly recently agreed a wage of £7.20 an hour, the Welsh Assembly £6.70 per hour and Oxford City Council has committed itself to achieving "Living Wage Employer" status by April 2009, which would include paying at least £7 an hour to all staff.
This Council resolves that:
(a) this Council supports the desirability of paying a minimum of at least £7 an hour to all staff (including permanent, temporary and sub-contracted employees);
(b) the Chief Executive be asked to prepare a report to be presented within three months for consideration by the appropriate County Council bodies setting out the costs and advantages of Oxfordshire County Council paying such a wage;
(c) the County Council use the report to decide a living wage as soon as possible after its receipt.”
After debate, the motion was lost by 43 votes to 18.
57/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR LARRY SANDERS (Agenda Item 21)
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor L Sanders and seconded by Councillor Dhall and carried nem con):
“The Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital (NOC) is in serious financial difficulties which threaten its future. Substantial reduction in its work would be a loss to the people of Oxfordshire and would make County Council services to people with disabilities more difficult and more expensive.
The only way to secure the future of the NOC is to influence Government policies.
The NOC's financial difficulties arise from the following circumstances:
(a) The Government sets a price which it will pay for various procedures, based on their average cost (‘payment by results’). The NOC does many procedures which cost much more than the average because of their complexity. An extra payment to cover those costs is now coming to an end.
(b) The NOC has traditionally 'subsidised' complex treatments by efficiencies in routine ones. This is now unavailable because of competition from the private facility (ISTC) in Banbury which the Government funds.
(c) The NOC built its new premises through a Private Financial Initiative (PFI) arrangement which requires a large annual payment for the next thirty years.
This Council resolves that:
(a) the Chief Executive contact local MPs and other stakeholders to seek a common strategy for the resolution of these difficulties;
(b) a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for Health requesting that a sustainable financial arrangement be reached with the NOC which makes it possible for it to continue its valuable work for the people of Oxfordshire.”
58/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR MICHAEL BADCOCK (Agenda Item 22)
Councillor Michael Badcock moved and Councillor Howell seconded the following motion:
"This Council regrets the Environment Agency's proposal to dispose by sale or letting of lock-keepers' homes along the Thames in Oxfordshire recognising that this may decrease safety on the river and have implications for the ability of the county's emergency services to rely on lock keepers at times of flooding as part of our emergency response. It calls on the Leader to ask the Environment Agency to re-examine its decision.”
Councillor R Smith moved and it was duly seconded that the motion now be put. This was lost by 34 votes to 20.
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Michael Badcock and seconded by Councillor Howell and carried nem con):
"This Council regrets the Environment Agency's proposal to dispose by sale or letting of lock-keepers' homes along the Thames in Oxfordshire recognising that this may decrease safety on the river and have implications for the ability of the county's emergency services to rely on lock keepers at times of flooding as part of our emergency response. It calls on the Leader to ask the Environment Agency to re-examine its decision.”
(Councillor Viney left the Chamber for consideration of this item.)
59/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR MICHAEL BADCOCK (Agenda Item 23)
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Michael Badcock and seconded by Councillor Tilley and carried nem con):
“This Council expresses deep concern at the Government White paper regarding Pharmacy in England, in particular the section of the White paper which deals with “control of entry” and specifically the clause which suggests that a patient’s drugs may not be dispensed by their doctor if the surgery and pharmacy are within 1.6 km of each other. Dispensing practices in the County have worked hard to establish a comprehensive service tailored to their own patients’ needs and many of these services would be forced to close if the Government’s proposals are implemented. This Council is concerned about the most contradictory aspect of the Government's proposal, which is the removal of choice in a system that claims to increase patients’ options. This Council therefore requests that the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee give this matter its urgent consideration at its next meeting.”
60/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR JANET GODDEN (Agenda Item 24)
Councillor Godden moved and Councillor Fooks seconded the following motion:
“Council shares the concern expressed by Thames Valley Police Authority about the deployment in Oxfordshire of the electronic “mosquito” device, used to disperse groups of young people from public places.
Council acknowledges that the device has been effective in areas where other measures have hitherto failed, but notes in particular the objection that when switched on it affects all children and young people in its vicinity regardless of whether they are doing anything wrong or causing any trouble.
Council asks the Cabinet to note that mosquito devices have been opposed by leading national figures in children’s services, including the Children’s Commissioner for England.
Council further asks the Cabinet to be mindful of the Council’s key leadership role in local partnership working, and to consider what action it can take, additional to involving the youth service, in working with agencies such as the youth offending team, the Police Authority, the City and district councils and their leisure departments, and local schools, to find better and longer term solutions to problems of public nuisance.”
Councillor Heathcoat moved and Councillor Robertson seconded the following amendment shown in italic type and by strikethrough:
“This Council
This Council
After debate, the amended motion was carried by 37 votes to 20.
RESOLVED: (by 35 votes to 19)
“This Council notes the Thames Valley Police stated concern about the indiscriminate nature of electronic “mosquito” devices, notes the success of such devices in Chipping Norton, Abingdon and Didcot, and welcomes the Thames Valley Police decision to create clear guidance to specify the limited types of scenarios where these devices can be used.
This Council asks the Cabinet to be mindful of the Council’s key partnership leading role to consider what action can be taken to support the police and other authorities to develop future anti social behaviour solutions.”
61/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR ALAN ARMITAGE (Agenda Item 25)
Councillor Armitage moved and Councillor R Smith seconded the following motion:
“This Council supports in principle the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on all residential non-arterial roads in the city, and asks Cabinet to adopt this. Cabinet is further asked to consider this in other parts of the county where requested and appropriate.”
Councillor Brown moved and Councillor Michael Badcock seconded the following amendment shown in italic type and by strikethrough:
“This Council
Councillors Armitage and R Smith accepted the amendment.
Seven members by standing in their places required a named vote in accordance with Council Procedure Rule (15)(a). Voting was as follows:-
Councillors voting for the motion (54)
Councillors Armitage, Michael Badcock, Billington, Bolster, Bones, Bonner, Brighouse, Brown, Bryden, Chapman, Couchman, Crabbe, Dhesi, Farrow, Fitzgerald-O’Connor, Fooks, Fulljames, Glass Woodin, Gibbard, Godden, Haffenden, Hallchurch, Handley, Harris, Heathcoat, Hibbert-Biles, Jelf, Lamont, Legge, Mallon, McIntosh-Stedman, Mitchell, Nimmo-Smith, Patrick, Purse, Reynolds, Roaf, Robertson, Rose, J Sanders, L Sanders, Seale, Sherwood, Shouler, Simmons, Skolar, R Smith, V Smith, Stratford, Tilley, Viney, Waine, Wilmshurst and Wise
Councillors voting against the motion (0)
The motion was declared carried.
RESOLVED:
“This Council welcomes the proposal put forward by the Conservative Group to introduce 20 mph speed limits on all residential non-arterial roads in the city, and recommends that Cabinet adopt the strategy, subject to the County Council's agreed criteria and subject to full consultation. Cabinet is further recommended to consider this in other parts of the county where requested and appropriate, again subject to the County Council's agreed criteria and full consultation.”
62/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR ZOÉ PATRICK (Agenda Item 26)
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Patrick and seconded by Councillor Godden and carried by 43 votes to 2) as follows:
“This Council welcomes the EU Charter for Equality and notes that many of its recommendations are already in place here. Considering this, Council asks the Cabinet to sign the Charter, thus making Oxfordshire one of the first Councils in the UK to do so.”
63/08 MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR DERMOT ROAF (Agenda Item 27)
RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Roaf and seconded by Councillor Hannaby and carried by 57 votes to 8):
“This Council notes Government plans for a possible eco-town (Weston Otmoor) in this County, and is concerned that the plans have had no input from local authority planning officers, can only add considerably to traffic on the A34, and is very unlikely to deliver environmental benefits to outweigh the damage to the local environment and economy. Council asks the Cabinet to consider opposing these plans in their response to the consultation.”
(Councillor Shouler left the Chamber for consideration of this item.)
64/08 AGENDA ITEMS 28-32
It was then moved by the Chairman and
RESOLVED: to defer consideration of agenda items 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 to the September 2008 meeting of Council.
................................................................................... in the Chair
Date of signing.................................................................. 2008
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