Issue - meetings

This Council no longer has confidence in the Leader of the Council.

There have been repeated failures allied to a persistent sense that her administration refuses to engage in meaningful dialogue with elected members, trade unions, other Councils and public sector partners, as well as the residents, businesses and community groups that are increasingly subjected to decisions taken by the minority administration in the Council’s name.

This Council records its particular failure to:

1.     Keep members and parents abreast of improvements to its SEND provision following last year’s Ofsted-CQC determination;

2.     Its stance towards the Housing Infrastructure and Growth (‘HIF’) deals that have eventuated in an expensive and unnecessary public enquiry; and

3.     Its perceived conflict of interest on the lease of ‘the Triangle’ to OUFC.

The Council is extremely concerned by the view of the Leader that there has “been enough consultation” regarding major transport changes in Central Oxfordshire. Public consent for these schemes is absolutely essential. This requires an inclusive process to engage residents on congestion, including a Citizens Assembly, to inform future changes.

Where concerns have been raised in connection with delivering the democratically agreed 2024/25 budget, upholding the code of conduct, a failure to maintain cabinet responsibility, protecting the spare seats scheme, processing EHCPs and cuts to Autism Family Support over the last 12 months, the administration has been far too ready to engage in deflection tactics and victim-blaming, rather than engage with solutions.

This Council resolves that the current Leader of the Council is removed.

The motion was lost with 12 votes in favour; 19 against and 16 abstentions.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Liz Brighouse and seconded by Councillor Brad Baines.

This Council no longer has confidence in the Leader of the Council.

There have been repeated failures allied to a persistent sense that her administration refuses to engage in meaningful dialogue with elected members, trade unions, other Councils and public sector partners, as well as the residents, businesses and community groups that are increasingly subjected to decisions taken by the minority administration in the Council’s name.

This Council records its particular failure to:

1. Keep members and parents abreast of improvements to its SEND provision following last year’s Ofsted-CQC determination;
2. Its stance towards the Housing Infrastructure and Growth (‘HIF’) deals that have eventuated in an expensive and unnecessary public enquiry; and
3. Its perceived conflict of interest on the lease of ‘the Triangle’ to OUFC.

The Council is extremely concerned by the view of the Leader that there has “been enough consultation” regarding major transport changes in Central Oxfordshire. Public consent for these schemes is absolutely essential. This requires an inclusive process to engage residents on congestion, including a Citizens Assembly, to inform future changes.

Where concerns have been raised in connection with delivering the democratically agreed 2024/25 budget, upholding the code of conduct, a failure to maintain cabinet responsibility, protecting the spare seats scheme, processing EHCPs and cuts to Autism Family Support over the last 12 months, the administration has been far too ready to engage in deflection tactics and victim-blaming, rather than engage with solutions.

This Council resolves that the current Leader of the Council is removed.

Following debate, the motion was lost with 12 votes in favour; 19 against and 16 abstentions.