Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2022 and to receive information arising from them.

 

The Minutes of the Meeting of 8 February 2022 were amended as follows:-

 

 

1/22 Minutes

 

Councillor Donna Ford added to the list of those present and signed as an accurate record

 

7/22 Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council Section 113 Agreement

 

At the request of Cllr Corkin, the Chair to agree additional wording in the 7^th paragraph to clarify the future joint working arrangements between the two authorities

 

 

 

and approved and signed as a correct record

 

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Bennett, Bearder, Banfield, Fatemian, Hanna and Snowdon.

 

The Chair reported dispensations for Cllrs Paule and Rooke

 

Cllrs Bartholomew and Corkin declared an interest in Item 16 – Motion by Councillor Freddie van Mierlo – as a member of South Oxfordshire Distruct Council – and left the meeting during consideraton of this item.

 

Cllr Rouane declared an interest in Item 18 – Motion by Councillor Bob Johnston – as a member of the Oxford Nature Partnership

 

 

Council received the following communications:-

 

1          A statement by the Chair on the current situation in Ukraine

2          Advice from the Corporate Director of Public Health and Wellbeing on Covid precautions

3          Information on the appointment of Mark Beard as High Sheriff

 

The Council then paid tribute to the late Councillor Gill Sanders and observed two minutes’ silence in her memory

 

 

 

Council noted the following appointments

 

Remuneration Committee

 

Cllr Corkin to replace Cllr Murphy

 

Shadow Cabinet

 

Deputy Leader – Cllr Corkin to replace Cllr Murphy

 

Children, Education and Young People’s Services – Cllr Simpson to replace Cllr Bloomfield

 

Adult Social Care  – Cllr Leverton to replace Cllr Murphy

 

Public Health and Equalities – Cllr Mallon to replace Cllr Leverton

 

Travel and Development Strategy – Cllr Snowdon to replace Cllr Bulmer

 

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. In line with current Government advice, those attending the meeting in person are asked to consider wearing a face-covering.

 

Normally requests to speak at this public meeting are required by 9am on the day preceding the published date of the meeting. However, during the current situation and to facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e. 9am on Wednesday 30 March 2022.  Requests to speak should be sent to chris.reynolds@oxfordshire.gov.uk .

 

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

 

Council received the following Petition and Public Address

 

Public Address

 

Ian Hill addressed the Council in support of Agenda Item 13 (Future Management of the Charlotte Coxe Trust) speaking on behalf of Watlington Parish Council. He said that the Town Council supported the proposals in the report and the measures that would be needed to bring the building at 33 High Street, Watlington, back into use.

 

Anni Byard addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item 14 (Motion by Cllr Sally Povolotsky).  She was pleased to see the motion had been amended from that proposed previously. She said there was no no evidence that trans gender people are at any more disadvantage that any other group with protected characteristics when accessing services.  She said that the law affords transgender people with the same rights as any other section of society.  She asked whether the Council could define transphobia.  While she supported the Council providing equal access to all groups she said this should not involve the removal of single sex spaces.

 

Hannah Massey addressed the Council in support of Agenda 14 (Motion by Cllr Sally Povolotsky).  She referred to campaigns and propaganda to encourage transphobia in society including those in the media.  She referred to medical and psychological treatments that transgender people had to undergo.  She said there was no place for transphobia in society and thanked members of the Council for what she hoped would be their support

 

Chrissie Chevasuut addressed the Council in support of Agenda 14 (Motion by Cllr Sally Povolotsky) said she worked for St Columba URC Church in Oxford on a project supporting the trans gender and non-binary community.  She explained her own experience as a transgender person.  She gave examples where transgender people had died in tragic circumstances, and referred to schools which had refused to accept the identity of transgender pupils.  She said that trans-hate crime had risen by 300% in the last five years.  In early 2020 the Christian group Safe Schools Alliance forced the County Council to withdraw the trans-affirming guidelines and resources in schools.  It was important than transgender people had the support of local government

 

 

Paul Boone addressed the Council in support of Item 16 (Motion by Councillor Freddie van Mierlo) He said he represented the  Chalgrove Airfield Action Group.  He said that the site was isolated which relied on car transport. There were no rail services or plans for a viable bus service.  He said that there were proposals for bypasses and inadequate cycle routes, insufficient employment opportunities. The plans to use the airfield for ejector seat tests would result in carbon footprint and safety implications for the nearby housing and school.  The proposals did not meet the NPPPF sustainability tests, climate emergency or OCC climate reduction targets and urged members to support the motion on the agenda.

 

A statement by Debbie Proctor regarding Item 16 (Motion by Cllr Freddie van Mierlo) was read as she was unable to connect to the meeting via Teams. The statement referred to announcements  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18/22

16 Questions with Notice were asked. Details of the questions and answers and supplementary questions and answers will be set out in the Annex to the minutes.

 

In relation to question 1, (Question from Cllr Yvonne Constance to Cllr Tim Bearder), Cllr Enright (on behalf of Cllr Bearder who was absent) said that a written response would be provided on how parishes could request the introduction of 20 mph limits via the Council’s website

 

In relation to question 2 (Cllr Eddie Reeves to Cllr Liz Leffman) Cllr Leffman reiterated that the 4 complaints against the Cabinet member for Highways Management were all on the same issue which had been resolved

 

In relation to question 3, (Cllr Eddie Reeves to Cllr Liz Leffman) Cllr Leffman said that the future governance arrangements in Oxfordshire would be a matter of discussion between the County, City and district councils and it was not appropriate for her to state her personal preference

 

In relation to question 4, (Cllr Eddie Reeves to Cllr Liz Leffman) Cllr Leffman said that the Liberal Democrats had proposed a greater number of new homes than the Conservatives but that the priority was to provide more affordable homes and this was to be considered by all authorities and agencies in the County

 

In relation to question 6 (Cllr Les Sibley to Cllr Duncan Enright) Cllr Enright referred to the need to re-examine methods of transportation in light of the climate emergency and to the significant challenges in reducing carbon emissions.

 

In relation to question 7 (Cllr Kieron Mallon to Cllr Neil Fawcett), Cllr Fawcett explained the consultation arrangements for members of the Fire and Rescue service and that the zero emissions zone should not prevent these staff from carrying out their jobs.  Cllr Hannaby confirmed that similar assurances would be given to adult care staff.

 

In relation to question 8, (Cllr Donna Ford to Cllr Duncan Enright), Cllr Enright undertook to provide a further written response to all members following consultation with officers

 

In relation to question 9 (Cllr Donna Ford to Cllr Neil Fawcett), Cllr Fawcett said that he was not aware of any incidents of harassment but that he would refer to officers to check that was the case and confirm the position in a written response

 

In relation to question 10 (Cllr Donna Ford to Cllr Glynis Phillips), Cllr Phillips reiterated that it was necessary to balance the competing views received in consultation responses

 

In relation to question 11(Cllr Nick Field-Johnson to Cllr Tim Bearder), Cllr Enright (in Cllr Bearder’s absence) said the results of the trial of GiPave would be reported to members in due course

 

In relation to question 12 (Cllr Stefan Gawrysiak to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller said that officers were in the process of providing a full overview of the assets of the County Council and undertook to provide a further written answer on the plans for the repair of various council properties once this review is completed later this year

 

In relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19/22

Report by Director of Law and Governance

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)      approve an extension of the dispensation for Cllr Alison Rooke from the statutory requirement to attend a meeting of the Council within a six month period from the last noted attendance;

(b)       approve that the dispensation last up to and including 30 September 2022.

 

Council had before it a report by the Director of Law and Governance recommending an extension to the dispensation granted to Cllr Alison Rooke

 

RESOLVED (on a motion from Cllr Leffman and seconded by Cllr Brighouse and carried nem con) to:-

 

a) approve an extension of the dispensation for Cllr Alison Rooke from the statutory requirement to attend a meeting of the Council within a six month period from the last noted attendance;

 

b) approve that the dispensation last up to and including 30 September 2022

Report of the Cabinet meetings of 21 December 2021, 15 February 2022 and 15 March 2022

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

 

In relation to paragraph 1 of the report (Question from Cllr Andy Graham to Cllr Liz Leffman) Cllr Leffman said that the lessons learned during the pandemic would help this Council, working with other local authorities and partners, to deliver support to refugees from Ukraine and she called on the government to provide more support in this work.

 

In relation to paragraph 3 of the report (Question from Cllr Andy Graham to Cllr Liz Brighouse) Cllr Brighouse updated the Council on progress with youth offer development. 

 

In relation to paragraph of the report (Question from Cllr Freddie van Mierlo to Cllr Liz Brighouse) Cllr Brighouse said that she had taken into account the needs of children in endorsing the Council’s policy transport provision for children with special educational needs.

 

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Cllr Ted Fenton to Cllr Jenny Hannaby) Cllr Hannaby said that the wording of the report was correct

 

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Cllr Nick Leverton to Cllr Jenny Hannaby) Cllr Hannaby confirmed that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) would stay in place.

 

In relation to paragraph 7 of the report (Cllr Yvonne Constance to Cllr Pete Sudbury) Cllr Sudbury confirmed that the final response had been submitted and shared her concerns about the process.

 

In relation to paragraph 7 of the report (Cllr Sally Povolotsky to Cllr Pete Sudbury) Cllr Sudbury agreed that digital exclusion was an important factor to consider in the conduct of consultations to ensure that all residents were able to respond effectively

 

In relation to paragraph 12 of the report (Cllr Eddie Reeves to Cllr Glynis Phillips) Cllr Phillips confirmed that all County Council staff not located in the workplace were either working from home or on sick leave

 

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report (Cllr Ian Middleton to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller said that in view of the Council’s financial contingency measures, he was confident that the Council could continue to maintain essential services. He referred to the work with district partners in supporting those in financial need and called on the Government to provide more help to households in the difficult financial climate

 

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report (Cllr David Bartholomew to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller reiterated his previous response that the Council would continue to deliver services despite inflationary pressures

 

 

In relation to paragraph 20 of the report (Cllr Dan Levy to Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Cllr Tim Bearder) Cllr Enright confirmed the assurances made by Cllr Bearder at Cabinet regarding parking in West Oxfordshire

 

In relation to paragraph 18 of the report (Cllr Andrew Gant to Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Councillor Tim Bearder) Cllr Enright agreed that there was a need to ensure connectivity of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) sites and the Council will be considering much better protected active travel routes

 

In relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/22

Report by Director of Law and Governance

 

Health Services have a legislative duty to consult a local authority’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee about any proposals they have for a substantial development or variation in the provision of health services in their area. When these substantial developments or variations affect a geographical area that covers more than one local authority, the local authorities are required to appoint a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) for the purposes of the consultation

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to -

Appoint the councillors shown in Annex 2 to the Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee subject to any changes reported at the meeting

Council had before it a report by the Director of Law and Governance recommending the appointment of representatives to the Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

RESOLVED (on a motion by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair and carried nem con) to appoint the following councillors to the Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee:-

 

Liberal Democrat / Green Alliance

 

Cllrs Hanna, Ley and van Mierlo

 

Conservative / Independent Alliance

 

Cllrs Leverton and Champken - Woods

 

Labour and Cooperative

 

Cllrs Edosomwan and Haywood

Report by Director of Law and Governance

 

Section 27(2) of the Localism Act 2011 requires that a local authority must adopt ‘a code dealing with the conduct that is expected of members and co-opted members of the authority when they are acting in that capacity. A

revised Councillors’ Code of Conduct was considered and approved by the Audit and Governance Committee on the 16^th March 2022.

 

The Council is RECOMMENDED to adopt the revised Councillors’ Code of Conduct at Annex 1 for implementation from the 1^st May 2022

 

 

Council had before it a report by the Director of Law and Governance recommending the adoption of a revised Code of Conduct in accordance with Section 27(2) of the Localism Act 2011

 

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Cabinet member for Corporate Services, presented the report.

 

Councillor Kate Gregory spoke regarding the public’s perception of councillors and her concerns about some councillors’ behaviour towards other members. She emphasised the importance of councillors treating each with respect, particularly on social media.  She proposed that a protocol on the use of social media by councillors be added to the code of conduct.

 

A number of members then spoke on recent incidents of abusive language and incorrect factual information posted on social media and welcomed the introduction of the revised code of practice. They suggested that training for members should be developed to cover these issues.

 

Councillor Phillips welcomed the comments made by members and agreed that it was appropriate for a separate social media protocol to be included within the code.

 

RESOLVED (on a motion by Cllr Glynis Phillips and seconded by Cllr Roz Smith and carried nem con) to:-

 

1.    adopt the revised Councillors’ Code of Conduct at Appendix 1 for implementation from 1^st May 2022

 

2.    ask the Audit and Governance Committee to consider a separate social media protocol to be incorporated in the Code of Conduct and submit recommendations to the Council in due course

Report by Director of Law and Governance

 

The Charlotte Coxe Trust is currently managed by the Director of Law and Governance on her own on behalf of OCC.

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to

1.            Establish a Committee of Council to which responsibility for all decision making in connection with the Charlotte Coxe Trust is delegated, which is to be known as the “Charlotte Coxe Trust Committee”.

 

2.            Appoint the five members to the Committee.

 

Council had before it a report from the Director of Law and Governance recommending the establishment of a Committee of Council to take responsibility for all decision making in connection with the Charlotte Coxe Trust.

 

Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, presented the report and thanked the Director of Law and Governance and the Legal services Team for their hard work in making the arrangements for the establishment of the Committee.

 

Cllr Freddie van Mierlo, the local councillor for Watlington, welcomed the proposals for bringing the property back to use.

 

RESOLVED (on a motion from Cllr Leffman and seconded by Cllr van Mierlo and carried nem con) to:-

 

a)    Establish a Committee of Council to which responsibility for all decision making in connection with the Charlotte Coxe Trust is delegated, which is to be known as the “Charlotte Coxe Trust Committee”.

 

b)    Ask the Group Leaders to inform the Director of Law and Governance of the five nominations of members to serve on the Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transgender and non-binary people face significant disadvantage in society, vulnerable to violence, isolation, homelessness, and lack of access to suitable healthcare provision.

 

Council believes that:

 

1.    All UK law should clearly recognise that trans rights are human rights.

 

2.    Transgender and non-binary people deserve respect and autonomy.

 

3.    It’s therefore our duty as community leaders who seek to create an open and tolerant society to speak out against transphobia and discrimination in all its forms.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.    Ensure that all Council services, both directly provided and through partners, are fully accessible, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

 

2.    State publicly that trans rights are human rights and affirm the legal rights of all protected groups under the 2010 equality act.

 

 

3.    To work with healthcare providers to remove barriers transgender and non-binary people face when accessing medical care.

 

4.    Work to provide at least one gender inclusive bathroom (accessible) where possible in every public building owned or operated by the Council.

 

5. Ensure that the Council’s constitution, policies, forms, and all internal and external communications are;

 

a.    Reducing the amount of gender information collected unless absolutely necessary,

 

b.    Respecting the pronouns individuals use for themselves,

 

c.     Providing opportunities for self-identification beyond the binary “man” and “woman”.

 

6.Encourage and support a network of informal LGBTQIA+ allies across officers and councillors.

 

7. Support and embrace the development of a LGBTQIA+ guidance within OCC for employees and contractors.”

 

 

Cllr Sally Povolotsky moved and Cllr Duncan Haywood seconded the following motion:-

 

Transgender and non-binary people face significant disadvantage in society, vulnerable to violence, isolation, homelessness, and lack of access to suitable healthcare provision.

 

Council believes that:

 

1.    All UK law should clearly recognise that trans rights are human rights.

 

2.    Transgender and non-binary people deserve respect and autonomy.

 

3.    It’s therefore our duty as community leaders who seek to create an open and tolerant society to speak out against transphobia and discrimination in all its forms.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.    Ensure that all Council services, both directly provided and through partners, are fully accessible, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

 

2.    State publicly that trans rights are human rights and affirm the legal rights of all protected groups under the 2010 equality act.

 

 

3.    To work with healthcare providers to remove barriers transgender and non-binary people face when accessing medical care.

 

4.    Work to provide at least one gender inclusive bathroom (accessible) where possible in every public building owned or operated by the Council.

 

5. Ensure that the Council’s constitution, policies, forms, and all internal and external communications are;

 

a.    Reducing the amount of gender information collected unless absolutely necessary,

 

b.    Respecting the pronouns individuals use for themselves,

 

c.    Providing opportunities for self-identification beyond the binary “man” and “woman”.

 

6.Encourage and support a network of informal LGBTQIA+ allies across officers and councillors.

 

7. Support and embrace the development of a LGBTQIA+ guidance within OCC for employees and contractors.”

 

 

Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Kieron Mallon seconded the following amendment to the Motion as shown in bold italics and strikethrough below

 

“Transgender and non-binary people face significant disadvantage in society and can be, vulnerable to violence, isolation, homelessness, and lack of suitable  healthcare provision.

 

Council believes that:

 

1.    All The UK leads the world in recognising that trans and other important minority rights are human rights.

 

2.    Transgender and non-binary people deserve respect.

 

3.    It’ is therefore our duty as community leaders who seek to create an open and tolerant society to speak out against transphobia, misogyny and all forms of discrimination.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.   Ensure that all Council services , both directly provided and through partners, are fully accessiblecompliant with the Equality Act 2010, regardless of their sexuality or genderresidents’ identity.

 

2.   State publicly that trans and women’s rights are human rights and affirm the legal rights of all protected groups under the Equality Act 2010.

 

 

3.   To work with healthcare providers to remove barriers transgender and non-binary people face when accessing medical care.

 

4.   Work to provide at least one gender inclusive and one women’s only bathroom (accessible) where possible in every public building owned or operated by the Council.

 

5.   Ensure that the Council’s constitution, policies, forms, and all internal and external communications seek to;

 

a.   Reducing Reduce the amount of gender information collected unless absolutely necessary,

 

b.   Respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/22

This council is committed to ensuring that active travel is fully inclusive all year round, including during the Winter, and accepts its responsibility to ensure that all feel safe on our streets and cycle paths.

 

This council recognises the need to ensure the safety and security of our residents engaged in active travel and its responsibility in deterring crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

In accordance with its statutory responsibilities this council further commits to maintaining Oxfordshire’s publicly maintainable footpaths, cycle paths and rights of way network to make using active travel routes safer and more secure and encourage greater use of them.

 

This council resolves to ensure that wherever possible all overgrowth is cleared from publicly maintainable rights of way including footpaths and cycle paths without delay and ensure that any broken lighting along footpaths and cycle paths is resolved efficiently. Moreover, this council resolves to consider installing additional LED lighting in poorly lit areas and/or those along active travel routes where crime and anti-social behaviour are high or at risk of increasing.

 

This council agrees to engage more actively with stakeholders, including Network Rail, residents, landowners and businesses to ensure that they comply more fully with their obligations to clear vegetation on private land and keep public rights of way open. This council commits to ensure all residents, but particularly disabled, elderly and vulnerable residents, are able to walk and cycle safely and securely.

 

With the consent of Council, Councillor Sally Povolotsky moved and Councillor Jane Murphy seconded the following motion amended by the suggestion of Councillor Roz Smith as follows:

 

This council is committed to ensuring that active travel is inclusive all year round.

 

In accordance with its statutory responsibilities this council commits to maintaining Oxfordshire’s publicly maintainable footpaths and cycle ways  thereby making active travel safer and encouraging greater use

 

This council resolves to ensure that wherever possible all overgrowth is cleared from publicly maintainable rights of way including footpaths and cycleways. When budgets allow this council resolves to installing additional suitable lighting along active travel routes where anti-social behaviour has been reported.

 

This council agrees to engage actively with stakeholders, including Network Rail, landowners and businesses to ensure that they comply more fully with their obligations to clear vegetation on private land and keep public rights of way open.

 

Following debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried by 50 votes to 0 (unanimously)

 

RESOLVED (unanimously):-

 

This council is committed to ensuring that active travel is inclusive all year round.

 

In accordance with its statutory responsibilities this council commits to maintaining Oxfordshire’s publicly maintainable footpaths and cycle ways  thereby making active travel safer and encouraging greater use

 

This council resolves to ensure that wherever possible all overgrowth is cleared from publicly maintainable rights of way including footpaths and cycleways. When budgets allow this council resolves to installing additional suitable lighting along active travel routes where anti-social behaviour has been reported.

 

This council agrees to engage actively with stakeholders, including Network Rail, landowners and businesses to ensure that they comply more fully with their obligations to clear vegetation on private land and keep public rights of way open.

 

 

In 2020, South Oxfordshire District Council was directed by the then Conservative Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, to progress a local plan through examination and adoption that included Chalgrove Airfield as an allocated site.

 

In November 2021, Homes England restated its desire to develop Chalgrove Airfield with 3,000 new homes, despite having previously withdrawn its outline planning application, following significant concerns as to the suitability and safety of the site being raised by the Civil Aviation Authority.

 

The County Council notes that a massive and unprecedented package of infrastructure would be required to serve new dwellings in this remote and rural location, with no rail connection and uncertainty around viability of bus services. The construction of a large, car dependent community, distant from major employment centres and in a rural setting, runs contrary to the County Council’s goals on climate emergency and biodiversity.

 

Without prejudice to the County Council’s role as statutory consultee in the planning application process, the Council expresses reservations in the strongest terms as to the suitability of the site and its compatibility with climate change goals.

 

 

With the consent of Council, Councillor Freddie van Mierlo moved and Councillor Pete Sudbury seconded the following motion amended by the suggestion of Councillor Robin Bennett as follows:

 

In 2020, South Oxfordshire District Council was directed by the then Conservative Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, to progress a local plan through examination and adoption that included Chalgrove Airfield as an allocated site. At the time, it was argued that it should not be included due to its highly rural location and the distances required to travel by future residents to employment centres by private motor vehicle.

 

In November 2021, Homes England restated its desire to develop Chalgrove Airfield with 3,000 new homes, despite having previously withdrawn its outline planning application, following significant concerns as to the suitability and safety of the site being raised by the Civil Aviation Authority.

 

The County Council notes that a massive and unprecedented package of infrastructure would be required to serve new dwellings in this remote and rural location, with no rail connection and uncertainty around viability of bus services. The construction of a large, car dependent community, distant from major employment centres and in a rural setting, runs contrary to the County Council’s goals on climate emergency and biodiversity.

 

Without prejudice to the County Council’s role as statutory consultee in the planning application process, the Council expresses reservations in the strongest terms as to the suitability of the site and its compatibility with climate change goals.

 

Various reports, most recently “Garden Villages and Garden Towns: Visions and Reality” by Transport for New Homes have repeatedly highlighted the failure nationally to prevent car-dependent developments, despite clear Government guidance on this topic.

This Council notes the parallel failure, nationally and locally to make any significant reduction in transport emissions over the past 20 years and that 90% of Oxfordshire’s road transport emissions come from rural transport

 

The Leader is requested to write to Homes England and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) & the Department for Transport to question how this development aligns with the stated environmental aims of the government and inform the minister as to how as a county we are working towards sustainable communities and reduced, not increased, car dependency. 

 

 

Following debate the motion amended was put to the vote and lost (23 votes to 18)

Oxfordshire County Council recognises

 

1.    That Councillors have a duty to promote kind, respectful and honest discourse both on and offline.

 

2.    Recognises that discussion, scrutiny and debate are important to a democracy but must be carried out without targeting or abuse.

 

3.    That robust debate is a crucial part of the scrutiny process and should not be discouraged.

 

4.    That social media is an increasingly aggressive space where abuse is normalised. 

 

5.    That misinformation is often the trigger for such abusive behaviour. 

 

6.    That public figures are often the target for abusive behaviour and that it inevitably has a significant detrimental impact on their mental health and wellbeing. 

 

Oxfordshire County Council Proposes to

 

7.    Introduce a councillor protocol for social media, that has an emphasis on promoting accurate discourse and encourages councillors to not write or share posts that contain obvious inaccuracies or aggression against colleagues across the council. 

 

8.    Create a digital citizenship guide for all elected members and staff.

 

9.    Introduce social media training in all new councillor inductions and refresh for elected members on, focusing on harm of misinformation, rumours and slander.

 

10. Ask Councillors to declare the social media handle of any public accounts in their name, as an elected member in the community or related to party pollical activity.

 

With the consent of Council, this item was withdrawn from the agenda

Council welcomes recent legislation which, amongst other things, sets out an aspiration to restore nature.  This reflects the fact that the UK is the most nature poor country in Europe.  The legislation states that in each area there should be a lead body to oversee this initiative.

 

Council believes that Oxfordshire County Council should be a lead body in as much as it defines a clear geographical area of significant size, has significant and developing inhouse expertise and access to further expertise in local universities and many groups involved with wildlife conservation, for example BBOWT amongst very many others. 

 

It should seek to build on the emerging work of the Local Nature Partnership as set up by the Future Oxfordshire Partnership and other similar initiatives.  It notes that additional resources will be required to ensure the success of this work

The time being 3.40 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.5.8

This Council notes that the Leader has acknowledged the challenging market conditions faced by Oxfordshire's excellent meat and dairy farmers.

 

This Council further notes that local authorities have an important duty to engage positively and proportionately in public discourse.

 

Given the privileged position in which this Council finds itself and the potentially damaging effects of its motion dated 14 December, this Council resolves to offer locally produced menus at Council-catered events, including meat, dairy and vegan options, or to make alternative provisions for members, staff and attendees to facilitate personal choice.

 

Oxfordshire County Council has acknowledged the Climate Change Emergency.

 

A major contributor to excessive CO2 output are unnecessary car journeys. The proposal by Network Rail to shut the vital link between Yarnton and Kidlington by closing the rail crossing at Sandy Lane will result in a significant increase in carbon emissions.

 

Permanent closure would see drivers forced to use Frieze Way or Langford Lane resulting in an average extra distance travelled of nearly two miles per journey.

 

Based on current trends this is estimated to result in an extra 4750 miles travelled on weekdays and an additional 3800 at weekends, resulting in 1.5 million unnecessary miles per year.

 

The cost of such surplus miles in money is hundreds of thousands of pounds to residents and businesses who rely on their cars; and extra pollution in the form of many tonnes of carbon emissions, contrary to the Council’s environmental objectives.

 

This would go directly against the council’s ambition to reduce CO2 output generated by transport and very significantly degrade the network of contacts that currently underpins the ancient and vital community nexus around the parishes of Yarnton, Begbroke, Kidlington and Gosford and Water Eaton.

 

This Council calls upon the Leader to urgently write to Network Rail to oppose the proposed closure and further to instruct her officers and relevant Cabinet colleague(s) to lobby for this vital link to be maintained with improvements, where possible, especially for cyclists and pedestrians.

Whilst the “leader and cabinet” model, enabled by the Local Government Act 2000, streamlines decision making, it invariably means that the majority of back bench councillors are not directly involved in the early stages of policy development, making access to information and effective scrutiny even more important

 

This council recognises that improving access to information, improves transparency and inclusion of all councillors in the scrutiny process.  This is particularly true in respect of questions without notice on the “report of the cabinet”, and resolves to ask the Audit and Governance Committee to consider that, where a written response is offered or requested, it is provided within 10 working days

This council recognises the need to improve public transport in Oxfordshire to reduce emissions, tackle congestion and make sure our bus services are more sustainable. 

 

Park and Ride sites are important transport hubs in Oxfordshire helping to reduce the need to drive into Oxford city. 

 

To help meet the commitments as stated above this council calls on both the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Highways Management to:

 

• Establish a cross-party task force to explore the viability of making parking at our P&R sites free.
• Write to the Leader of Oxford City Council asking for the city council to join this new task force. 
• Work with public transport providers in Oxfordshire to establish a Park & Ride improvement plan.