Decision details

With the consent of Council, the Amendment by Councillor Roz Smith was accepted

The amendment by Councillor Eddie Reeves was lost by 30 votes to 12

The substantive motion as amended was carried by 30 votes to 12

RESOLVED:-

This Council notes that:

This Government has consistently failed to address prepare for the cost-of-living crisis.

Oxfordshire households face spiraling costs with fuel and energy costs, especially affecting front line workers, logistics, farming and food production.

Energy & fuel rises impact on all this council's services and there is concern about budgeted schemes due to inflation, and availability of personnel and resources.

1 in 3 households reported their cost of living had risen, citing affordability of food and medicines as a major concern. Many households face a decision between “heat or eat”

This Council therefore declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’ and calls on the Government to:

Subsidize buses and trains, to ensure that people can travel for essential education and work.

Urgently review the energy cap to provide much greater protection to consumers, including a cap for off grid homes.  Invest in decarbonising energy in the UK to prepare for further energy shortages and sustainability.

Immediately change taxation on fuel to transfer the risk of price changes to the Government pegged at long-term average prices.

Immediately reduce VAT to 17.5%

Restore the £20 Universal Credit supplement, previously cancelled by the Government.

Recognise Oxfordshire will need urgent additional funds to support homelessness, school transport, social care services, waste disposal, and a plethora of other council functions and programme deliveries affected by the increase in prices and inflation.

Council recommends to the Cabinet that this Council holds an urgent Cost-of-Living Summit to work towards a holistic and adaptive response to the emergency in Oxfordshire.