Issue - meetings

This Council notes:

The strong opposition from some residents, businesses, and key workers to the Oxford Congestion Charge scheme and their ongoing concerns about its impact on the cost of living, local trade, and access to services across Oxford.

This Council believes: 

The scheme is unfair, harmful to the local economy, and does not have public support and it's time to end the scheme.

This Council therefore resolves to: 

Call on the Leader and Cabinet to immediately end the operation of the Oxford Congestion Charge scheme and ensure no further expansion or reintroduction of similar charging schemes without full public consultation and support. 

Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

The motion was lost with 22 votes in favour, 36 against and 2 abstentions.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Walker and seconded by Councillor Henwood.

“This Council notes: 

The strong opposition from some residents, businesses, and key workers to the Oxford Congestion Charge scheme and their ongoing concerns about its impact on the cost of living, local trade, and access to services across Oxford. 

This Council believes: 

The scheme is unfair, harmful to the local economy, and does not have public support and it's time to end the scheme. 

This Council therefore resolves to: 

Call on the Leader and Cabinet to immediately end the operation of the Oxford Congestion Charge scheme and ensure no further expansion or reintroduction of similar charging schemes without full public consultation and support.”

Following discussion, Councillor Walker called for a named vote and was supported by at least six other councillors as required under Council Procedure Rule 17.4.1.

The motion was lost with 22 votes in favour, 36 against and 2 abstentions.

Council voted as follows:

For the motion –

Councillors Ashby, Baines, Brighouse, Cherry, Coles, Creed, Crichton, Du, Edosomwan, Evans, Fry, Henwood, Lygo, Malik, Mallon, Phillips, Plumb, Pressel, Robertshaw, Saul, Snowdon and Walker.

Against the motion –

Councillors Barlow, Batstone, Bearder, Brant, Cotter, Edwards, Epps, Fawcett, Filipova-Rivers, Gant, Garnett, Gaul, Gawrysiak, Graham, Greenaway, Gregory, Hanna, Hannaby, Heritage, Higgins, Hingley, Hope-Smith, Jones, Levy, Ley, Lugova, McLauchlan, McLean, Middleton, Overton, Rawlins, Roberts, Smith, Stevens, Thomas and Worgan.

Abstentions:

Councillors Boucher-Giles and Markham.