Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October  2022 (CC1)

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2022 were amended as follows:-

 

Item 9 - Report of the Cabinet

 

In relation to a question from Cllr Liam Walker, Cllr Calum Miller explained the reasons why the programme for LED street lighting has been delayed but he had been assured that it would be completed in the current financial year

 

In relation to a question from Cllr Liam Walker, Cllr Andrew Gant undertook to inform Cllr Walker of where the advertisement of the traffic regulation order for the Cowley LTN had been published

 

 

and agreed as a correct record

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ash, Banfield, Bennett, Bulmer, Corkin, Lygo, Thomas and Paule

Councillor Middleton declared an interest in item 17 – Motion by Councillor Nigel Simpson – as a resident of Yarnton,  withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and did not vote thereon.

The Chair reported on her recent and forthcoming engagements including visits to thank volunteers in various divisions across the County, the Civic Supper, the Farm visit on 4^th November and Christmas carols on 6 December.

Council noted the following appointment:-

 

Councillor Walker to replace Councillor Corkin on People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. 

 

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 26 October 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.

 

Petitions

 

7 petitions on issues concerning children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) had been received.  The Chair had agreed for 3 speakers to address the Council.

 

Mary Totman, Olivia Johnson and Ross Kuklinski were invited to address the Council

 

Mary Totman referred to what she considered to be systemic failings and discrimination in assessing the needs of vulnerable children.  Ms Totman accused the Council of failing to accept the recommendations in professional reports which had resulted in the development of poor quality education and health care plans. Ms Totman considered that the authority was prone to “cherry picking evidence” with a view to saving costs and that, as a result, many children were receiving inadequate educational provision.  She refuted the suggestion that all of these problems were the result of national issues and that the County Council’s policies were a contributory factor.

 

 

Olivia Johnson considered that there had been a complete breakdown of communication between the Council and parents of children provided with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) which did not reflect their needs.  In her view, it was not the case that all children could be adequately supported in the mainstream educational system.  She said that the authority was wasting money on defending its case in tribunals and the failures of the SEND system had an impact on families, their finances and mental health.  She said that every child had a right to an education through which they could thrive and requested that the Council replaced it adversarial practices with collaboration with parents.  She requested that the Council adhered to legal timescales and provided services that worked for all children

 

Ross Kuklinski said that the County Council had refused to adhere to court orders and communicate with parents in dealing with SEND cases.  He referred to the case of his daughter where delaying tactics on the part of the authority and refusal to discuss her proposed EOTAS package had a severe impact on her education and welfare.  He criticised the Council for resorting to legal representation at considerable cost in preference to adopting improved communication policies and practices which would enable better services to be provided to children and their parents. 

 

Public Address

 

Paul Roberts, CEO of Aspire Oxfordshire, referred to the impact of the cost of living crisis on the work of front line charities.  Increased demand for services and assistance had placed huge demands on those working on the third sector and he considered that the effect of the economic situation on vulnerable communities in Oxfordshire would be greater than the COVID pandemic.  He encouraged the Council to continue to work in collaboration with charities to help build an inclusive economy in the County.

 

 

Jamie Clark addressed the Council on the success of the School Streets scheme introduced by the Council.  He expressed concern that the ANPR cameras and associated permit schemes had not yet been implemented and the scheme was relying on the good will of volunteers. He asked that the Council publish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86/22

Ms Aodhin MacBride had given written notice of the following question to Councillor Duncan Enright

 

To what extent has the provision of early years educational settings (nurseries) been considered in the design of the Marston Ferry road traffic filter?

 

There are no nurseries in New Marston, so like many other parents of young working families in this area, we are required to send our children to nursery in Summertown. Our daughter is too young to be transported on a bike and so we have to travel by car. Implementing the traffic filter will force us to make a very large detour via the ringroad (with greater co2 emissions). The proposed additional bus route from Summertown to the JR does not solve this issue as it doesn't actually go into New Marston

 

Councillor Enright replied:

 

An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been developed by Steer, an independent transport consultancy, which was informed through direct engagement with Oxford City Council’s Transport and Movement focus group. An EqIA is a process designed to ensure that a policy, project or scheme does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected characteristic. A summary of the EqIA can be found on our Let’s Talk Oxfordshire consultation webpage: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/traffic-filters-2022.

 

The EqIA identified that the Traffic Filters may inconvenience some drivers and those who rely on cars, which may include some parents/carers with children at nurseries and primary schools. To mitigate the impact on these people, the EqIA recommended a series of permits and exemptions from the Traffic Filters. These mitigation measures were developed to strike the balance between lessening the negative impacts of the Traffic Filters without overly diluting the wider benefits of the scheme.

 

A series of additional mitigation measures are also outlined within the EqIA, which range from implementing bus priority and service improvements to maximise the benefits of the filters, to accelerating Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) schemes to enable more people to switch from driving to cycling or walking. Oxfordshire County Council, in partnership with Oxford City Council, intend to deliver these mitigation measures following the implementation of the Traffic Filters scheme

 

In the case of New Marston, quite a large area will be within 5 minutes’ walk of the improved bus route (Marston Ferry Road, Cherwell Drive and Headley Way) that would enable residents to get to Summertown without having to take a detour via the Ring Road.  So in reality this may well be an option for quite a number of people in this area.

 

We would encourage people to complete the questionnaire survey on our consultation website to give us their views on the proposals for trial traffic filters

 

Mr Richard Parnham had given written notice of the following question to Councillor Andrew Gant

 

Can Councillor Grant explain why the TRO orders, purporting to make the Cowley LTNs permanent on 22 August 2022, did not appear on https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/, the location specified in the order’s official public notice, until 12 October 2022, a full seven  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87/22

15 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 6 (Councillor Brad Baines to Councillor Andrew Gant) Councillor Gant undertook to provide a written response on the Council’s objectives for providing level 2 Bikeability training.

 

In relation to question 11 (Councillor Liam Walker to Councillor Andrew Gant) Councillor Gant undertook to provide information on the monitoring by the Highways Department of new 20mph schemes

 

 

 

Report of the Cabinet meetings of 20 September and 18 October 2022

Council received the report of the Cabinet

 

In relation to a question from Cllr Charlie Hicks, Cllr Calum Miller undertook to ensure that the KPI statistics contained in the Business Management & Monitoring report were presented to Scrutiny Committees on a routine basis.

 

In relation to a question from Cllr Brad Baines, Cllr Calum Miller undertook to explore, with District Council and other agency partners, possible options for enhancing support for key workers employed by the Council including housing costs.

 

In relation to a question from Cllr Yvonne Constance, Cllr Duncan Enright undertook to provide a written response on the process for consulting town and parish councils on the “Decide and Provide”  requirements for Transport Assessments

 

 

 

 

Report by Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to

(a) Grant a dispensation to Cllr Nick Field-Johnson from the statutory requirement to attend a meeting of the Council within a six-month period from the last noted attendance for family reasons.

(b) Approve that the dispensation last up to and including 31 December 2022.

 

 

 

With the consent of Council, this report was withdrawn

Report of the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

 

COUNCIL IS RECOMMENDED to approve the Scheme of Delegation as it relates to Council functions and the amendments to the parts of the Council’s Constitution annexed to this report (which include a revised Officer Scheme of Delegation) where these are not already within the delegations granted to the Director of Law and Governance

Council had before it a report by the Monitoring Officer setting out the Officer Scheme of Delegation within the Constitution as it related to Council functions.  This was required to be agreed annually.

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Susanna Pressel, seconded by Councillor Felix Bloomfield, and carried nem con) to approve the Scheme of Delegation as it relates to Council functions and the amendments to the parts of the Council’s Constitution annexed to this report (which include a revised Officer Scheme of Delegation) where these are not already within the delegations granted to the Director of Law and Governance

Report by the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

 

COUNCIL IS RECOMMENDED to approve the calendar of meetings for the 2023-24 civic year attached to the report.

 

Council had before it the schedule of meeting dates proposed for the 2022/23 Council Year.  The Schedule had been drawn up to reflect the various rules about frequency of meetings set out in the Council’s Constitution and took into account Bank Holidays and the summer period when meetings were traditionally avoided as far as practicable.

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Susanna Pressel, seconded by Councillor Felix Bloomfield, and carried nem con) to approve the calendar of meetings for the 2023-24 civic year attached to the report.

 

Report of the Director of Finance

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to

 

Approve the amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules (Financial Regulations, Section 5 ‘Capital’) as set out in Annex 1, as recommended by the Audit and Governance Committee. 

 

Council had before it a report setting out proposed amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules following a review of the Council’s Capital Governance framework, processes and structures.  The amendments were considered and endorsed by the Audit and Governance Committee at its meeting on 21 September 2022.

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion from Councillor Roz Smith, seconded by Councillor Brad Baines, and carried nem con) to approve the amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules (Financial Regulations, Section 5 “Capital”) as set out in Annex 1 to the report, as recommended by the Audit and Governance Committee.

This Council notes:

 

There are over 2 million employees providing unpaid care to friends and family members, such as personal care, medical and social support, and attending appointments.

 

The pressure on people as they balance their work with caring is hard. This Council believes that more action is needed to support people in employment with caring responsibilities.

 

Council therefore proposes to support the Carer’s Leave Bill being brought to Parliament which will, for the first time, create a statutory entitlement for employers to offer unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities.

 

The Bill is expected to provide for up to one week’s unpaid leave per year (in addition to paid leave allowance) and would provide more flexibility for carers, making things easier for them and their employers.

 

Eligibility for the leave would be clearly defined in the Bill, taking a broad approach to reflect the wide range of caring relationships and responsibilities.

 

Council therefore:

1. resolves for the leader to write to all Oxfordshire MP’s asking them if they will support the Carer’s Leave Bill

2.     resolves to ask the Cabinet to commission a review of the communications and support for local advice services for employed Careers residing in Oxfordshire to ascertain if there is any further support that can be given

 

Councillor Roz Smith moved and Councillor Geoff Saul seconded the following motion:

 

This Council notes:

 

There are over 2 million employees providing unpaid care to friends and family members, such as personal care, medical and social support, and attending appointments.

 

The pressure on people as they balance their work with caring is hard. This Council believes that more action is needed to support people in employment with caring responsibilities.

 

Council therefore proposes to support the Carer’s Leave Bill being brought to Parliament which will, for the first time, create a statutory entitlement for employers to offer unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities.

 

The Bill is expected to provide for up to one week’s unpaid leave per year (in addition to paid leave allowance) and would provide more flexibility for carers, making things easier for them and their employers.

 

Eligibility for the leave would be clearly defined in the Bill, taking a broad approach to reflect the wide range of caring relationships and responsibilities.

 

Council therefore:

1. resolves for the leader to write to all Oxfordshire MP’s asking them if they will support the Carer’s Leave Bill

2.     resolves to ask the Cabinet to commission a review of the communications and support for local advice services for employed Careers residing in Oxfordshire to ascertain if there is any further support that can be given

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council notes:

 

There are over 2 million employees providing unpaid care to friends and family members, such as personal care, medical and social support, and attending appointments.

 

The pressure on people as they balance their work with caring is hard. This Council believes that more action is needed to support people in employment with caring responsibilities.

 

Council therefore proposes to support the Carer’s Leave Bill being brought to Parliament which will, for the first time, create a statutory entitlement for employers to offer unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities.

 

The Bill is expected to provide for up to one week’s unpaid leave per year (in addition to paid leave allowance) and would provide more flexibility for carers, making things easier for them and their employers.

 

Eligibility for the leave would be clearly defined in the Bill, taking a broad approach to reflect the wide range of caring relationships and responsibilities.

 

Council therefore:

1. resolves for the leader to write to all Oxfordshire MP’s asking them if they will support the Carer’s Leave Bill

2.     resolves to ask the Cabinet to commission a review of the communications and support for local advice services for employed Careers residing in Oxfordshire to ascertain if there is any further support that can be given

 

 

 

 

This Council notes that significant concerns have been raised locally and nationally surrounding the data sets used to justify the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

 

This Council further acknowledges its shortcomings in connection with certain of the LTN consultations and restates its commitment to consult more fully with local businesses, community groups and residents with mobility and/or religious requirements that make LTNs in parts of Oxford more problematic than in others.

 

Without prejudice to the administration’s aim of reducing car-use, this Council recommends to Cabinet that it halt any immediate expansion in LTNs with a view to reassuring residents surrounding the data-sets and consultation methodologies used to justify and aid their introduction.

 

This Council further recommends to Cabinet that an independent audit of LTNs introduced in, or planned for, Oxfordshire be set in train to allow the Local Government Association or such other organisation to impartially assess their value in economic and environmental terms, together with their corresponding levels of democratic support.

 

 

Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Yvonne Constance seconded the following motion:

 

This Council notes that significant concerns have been raised locally and nationally surrounding the data sets used to justify the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

 

This Council further acknowledges its shortcomings in connection with certain of the LTN consultations and restates its commitment to consult more fully with local businesses, community groups and residents with mobility and/or religious requirements that make LTNs in parts of Oxford more problematic than in others.

 

Without prejudice to the administration’s aim of reducing car-use, this Council recommends to Cabinet that it halt any immediate expansion in LTNs with a view to reassuring residents surrounding the data-sets and consultation methodologies used to justify and aid their introduction.

 

This Council further recommends to Cabinet that an independent audit of LTNs introduced in, or planned for, Oxfordshire be set in train to allow the Local Government Association or such other organisation to impartially assess their value in economic and environmental terms, together with their corresponding levels of democratic support.

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was lost by 35 votes to 19 with no abstentions.

This Council has considered a change of Governance in the past from Leader and Cabinet to having a more inclusive Committee structure. The Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance wishes to review the decision-making structures of the County Council, with the aim of operating in a much more inclusive way that can involve all the talents of the council. 

The Council now requests the Director for Law & Governance to institute a Full Governance Review of the County Council as soon as practicable, with any recommended changes to the Council's Executive and Governance structure to be decided by Full Council and fully implemented by May 2024

Councillor Charlie Hicks moved and Councillor Judy Roberts seconded the following motion:

 

This Council has considered a change of Governance in the past from Leader and Cabinet to having a more inclusive Committee structure. The Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance wishes to review the decision-making structures of the County Council, with the aim of operating in a much more inclusive way that can involve all the talents of the council. 

The Council now requests the Director for Law & Governance to institute a Full Governance Review of the County Council as soon as practicable, with any recommended changes to the Council's Executive and Governance structure to be decided by Full Council and fully implemented by May 2024

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and carried by 36 votes to 16 with 1 abstention

 

RESOLVED: (by 36 votes to 16)

This Council has considered a change of Governance in the past from Leader and Cabinet to having a more inclusive Committee structure. The Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance wishes to review the decision-making structures of the County Council, with the aim of operating in a much more inclusive way that can involve all the talents of the council. 

The Council now requests the Director for Law & Governance to institute a Full Governance Review of the County Council as soon as practicable, with any recommended changes to the Council's Executive and Governance structure to be decided by Full Council and fully implemented by May 2024

 

Oxfordshire County Council has acknowledged the Climate Change Emergency.

 

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

 

Permanent closure would see drivers forced to use alternative routes resulting in an average extra distance travelled of nearly two miles per journey.

 

Based on a recent survey undertaken by Yarnton Parish Council and on current usage this is estimated to result in an extra 4750 miles travelled on weekdays and 3800 at weekends, resulting in 1.5 million unnecessary miles per year.

 

The cost of such surplus miles 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 and Kidlington.

 

This Council calls upon the Leader to request relevant Cabinet colleague(s) to engage with the local parishes, Network Rail and Oxford University Developments to discuss with them the ways in which this vital link can be maintained at least cost to the environment and for the benefit of all users with improvements, especially for cyclists and pedestrians.

 

Councillor Nigel Simpson moved and Councillor Liam Walker seconded the following motion:

 

Oxfordshire County Council has acknowledged the Climate Change Emergency.

 

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

 

Permanent closure would see drivers forced to use alternative routes resulting in an average extra distance travelled of nearly two miles per journey.

 

Based on a recent survey undertaken by Yarnton Parish Council and on current usage this is estimated to result in an extra 4750 miles travelled on weekdays and 3800 at weekends, resulting in 1.5 million unnecessary miles per year.

 

The cost of such surplus miles 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 and Kidlington.

 

This Council calls upon the Leader to request relevant Cabinet colleague(s) to engage with the local parishes, Network Rail and Oxford University Developments to discuss with them the ways in which this vital link can be maintained at least cost to the environment and for the benefit of all users with improvements, especially for cyclists and pedestrians.

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was lost by 32 votes to 19 with 1 abstention

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Given the scale of the cost-of-living crisis, this Council resolves to show a lead by recommending to Cabinet that catering for meetings of Full Council and at civic functions be cancelled unless catering is considered essential.

 

Where appropriate, this Council further recommends to Cabinet that it commit to reallocating such monies to helping those residents in greatest need

 

Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Liam Walker seconded the following motion:

 

Given the scale of the cost-of-living crisis, this Council resolves to show a lead by recommending to Cabinet that catering for meetings of Full Council and at civic functions be cancelled unless catering is considered essential.

 

Where appropriate, this Council further recommends to Cabinet that it commit to reallocating such monies to helping those residents in greatest need

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was lost by 36 votes to 18 with no abstentions

The UK government has announced only a £100 payment for “Off Grid”  homes relying on oil or LPG. A big gap in fiscal support compared to the £400 for all other households on the grid.

Heating and oil prices have seen huge hikes. The average cost of filling a 1,000-litre tank at the start of the year was about £620. By August, which is oil buying season, Oxfordshire residents prices had peaked and the same tank cost £1,108 or more to fill, and the market fluctuates.

The disparity is that most people are required to pay up front for oil, while people on mains energy pay monthly. Residents don’t just face a warmth crisis but that low-income households in rural areas face a potential health crisis due to cold homes. Without action, this government risks the health of many of the 1.5 million who have no option other than to use oil or LPG to heat their homes.

There’s a potential cost and service gap issue to local authorities by the increased demand for health and mental health services.

 

This council asks our leader to write to government to;

1. Match the £400 energy grant for ALL energy users
2. Create a package for rural Oxfordshire communities to provide grants for renewables / air source heat pumps or help switch to biofuel boilers, as well as retrofitting and insulation.

3.     Recognise that this cost of living emergency has further health service impacts in Oxfordshire and fund the needs of society

Councillor Sally Povolotsky moved and Councillor Ian Middleton seconded the following motion:

 

The UK government has announced only a £100 payment for “Off Grid”  homes relying on oil or LPG. A big gap in fiscal support compared to the £400 for all other households on the grid.

Heating and oil prices have seen huge hikes. The average cost of filling a 1,000-litre tank at the start of the year was about £620. By August, which is oil buying season, Oxfordshire residents prices had peaked and the same tank cost £1,108 or more to fill, and the market fluctuates.

The disparity is that most people are required to pay up front for oil, while people on mains energy pay monthly. Residents don’t just face a warmth crisis but that low-income households in rural areas face a potential health crisis due to cold homes. Without action, this government risks the health of many of the 1.5 million who have no option other than to use oil or LPG to heat their homes.

There’s a potential cost and service gap issue to local authorities by the increased demand for health and mental health services.

 

This council asks our leader to write to government to;

1. Match the £400 energy grant for ALL energy users
2. Create a package for rural Oxfordshire communities to provide grants for renewables / air source heat pumps or help switch to biofuel boilers, as well as retrofitting and insulation.

3.     Recognise that this cost of living emergency has further health service impacts in Oxfordshire and fund the needs of society

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was by 36 votes to 0 with 14 abstentions

 

RESOLVED:

 

The UK government has announced only a £100 payment for “Off Grid”  homes relying on oil or LPG. A big gap in fiscal support compared to the £400 for all other households on the grid.

Heating and oil prices have seen huge hikes. The average cost of filling a 1,000-litre tank at the start of the year was about £620. By August, which is oil buying season, Oxfordshire residents prices had peaked and the same tank cost £1,108 or more to fill, and the market fluctuates.

The disparity is that most people are required to pay up front for oil, while people on mains energy pay monthly. Residents don’t just face a warmth crisis but that low-income households in rural areas face a potential health crisis due to cold homes. Without action, this government risks the health of many of the 1.5 million who have no option other than to use oil or LPG to heat their homes.

There’s a potential cost and service gap issue to local authorities by the increased demand for health and mental health services.

 

This council asks our leader to write to government to;

1. Match the £400 energy grant for ALL energy users
2. Create a package for rural Oxfordshire communities to provide grants for renewables / air source heat pumps or help switch to biofuel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99/22

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

 

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

 

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief Executive Nick Harris to stress the importance of funding and implementing physical noise mitigation infrastructure as soon as possible, especially pre-existing ‘Noise Important Areas’.

 

 

Councillor Nathan Ley moved and Councillor Charlie Hicks seconded the following motion:

 

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

 

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

 

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief Executive Nick Harris to stress the importance of funding and implementing physical noise mitigation infrastructure as soon as possible, especially pre-existing ‘Noise Important Areas’.

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council recognises that excessive noise pollution from major highways raises the risk of negative health outcomes for our residents, most notably cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. This particularly affects those who live in closest proximity to the busiest major strategic roads, including the A34 and M40.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines “strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by road traffic below 53 dB, as road traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects”. However, it’s well known that noise levels are far in excess of this in many residential areas, especially where formally defined as ‘Noise Important Areas’, where the highest 1% of noise levels at residential locations can be found. This includes neighbourhoods within Abingdon, Botley and Banbury among others.

 

Traffic volumes on our major roads have massively increased, with the number of cars on the road doubling in the past 30 years. In light of this, and given the absence of physical sound mitigation measures along many highways-adjacent areas in Oxfordshire, we believe National Highways must take action to improve residents’ quality of life. The existing designation of several ‘Noise Important Areas’ provides a framework for further investigation, and this must be matched by appropriate physical remedies.

 

Acknowledging the important future role of our strategic network, Council asks the Leader to write to National Highways’ Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100/22

This council considers that the UK government’s so-called ‘investment zones’, proposed by the Chancellor in his recent ‘mini-budget’, are a disaster in the making, for the environment, local communities, democracy and public finances.

 

Consultations and environmental regulations have been presented as ‘burdensome requirements’. Development which ‘responds to the market’ in these zones is required to be additional to the sites already set out in Local Plans, which are already carefully planned to respond to local needs and to respect the local environment; Investment zones will be able to ‘relax’ policy requirements that have been consulted on and approved by local councillors. They are there for a reason.

 

EU-based environmental regulations such as Habitat Regulation Assessments will be scrapped in these zones, with no clarity as to how they will be replaced.

 

Instead of treating nature protection as something that is in the way of growth, the environment should be at the heart of decision-making, given that it is the foundation of all economic prosperity.

 

Oxfordshire’s six councils have already agreed a Strategic Vision for long-term sustainable development; adopting a get rich quick scheme devised by disaster capitalist think tanks is not in keeping with that vision.

 

Council fully endorses the Leader’s response to DLUHC confirming that Oxfordshire is already a key contributor to the economy and that democratic local plans remain the best vehicle to deliver that contribution. Responding to the market alone is not enough: Oxfordshire’s residents need to be heard, not sidelined, and our environment respected.

 

The time being 3.40 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.1