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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND. View directions

Contact: Deborah Miller  Tel: 07920 084239; E-Mail: deborah.miller@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

216/18

Minutes pdf icon PDF 153 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2018 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 May 2018 were approved as an accurate record, subject to the correction printed on the Schedule of Business.

217/18

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Atkins, Billington, Johnson and Walker.

218/18

Petitions and Public Address

Minutes:

Council received the following public address:

Dr D Stork CPhys FinstP Hon Chairman, Group Against Resevoir Development  (GARD) spoke in support of Agenda Item 18 (Motion by Councillor Mike Fox-Davies) against proposals to build a huge 'bunded' (or walled) reservoir in the area between the villages of Steventon – East Hanney and Drayton. GARD also campaigned in favour of environmentally sound and sustainable water resource policies for the south-east.

GARD had been opposing Thames Water's plans for over 20 years, and in 2010, successfully took a leading role in the fight against the reservoir (with Local Councils and Campaign to Protect Rural England support) at the Public Inquiry. The PI threw out the reservoir proposal and stated that, in future Thames Water should conduct proper options assessments for their Water Resource Management Plans.

 

The reservoir size was 150 Million cubic metres in all plans. This was 50% larger than the plan thrown out at the 2010 Public Inquiry. The reservoir, which would probably be the biggest bunded reservoir in the world, would contain 150 Million tonnes of water behind its retaining banks. Its construction, over 10 years, would devastate quality of life in the local  area. Once built, its visual impact on neighbouring villages was huge and represented a threat to flood prevention in the area.

 

A new feature was that Thames Water now intended to sell water from the reservoir to other SE companies outside their area. Figures show that 40% of reservoir water is for sale after 2065.

 

He called upon  the Council to support GARD and DEFRA in obtaining a second public consultation when the revised Thames Water's draft Water Resources Management Plan (dWRMP19) was produced.

219/18

Questions with Notice from Members of the Public pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council was asked the following Question by Dr Al Chisolm

 

In March this year, a motion was passed unanimously by the councillors in this room calling on the Pension Fund Committee to take the best and latest advice on ESG matters, with reference to the Norwegian Sovereign Pension fund’s divestment from oil and gas. This is to be welcomed and is in line with the warning from the Pensions Minister, Guy Opperman, who in March told the House of Commons Environmental and Audit Committee that many trustees are failing to fulfil their duty to consider climate risk.

 

Since the motion was passed, yet another report has been published, this time by the highly reputable London School of Economics, demonstrating that removing investments from fossil fuel companies has no detrimental effect on returns, but that continuing to invest in them comes with the serious risk of stranded assets. The case for getting out of fossil fuels couldn’t be clearer or more urgent as many major investors, including New York State, have understood.

 

The Pension Fund Committee has the means to act in line with the motion to protect the Pension Fund from climate risk. The Brunel Pension Partnership offers Low Carbon and Sustainable funds, but so far the committee has rejected these options. There is no evidence that the motion passed by full council was even discussed at the subsequent Pension Fund Committee meeting.   

There appears to be a glaring gap between rhetoric and action on mitigating climate risk.  What concrete action has been taken in response to the Council’s motion and how will you hold the Pension Fund Committee to account on this matter?

Answer

The questions asked are a matter for the Pension Fund Committee which has fully delegated responsibility for all matters associated with the management of the Oxfordshire Pension Fund. 

 

I am aware that the Committee has considered the issues associated with climate change and fossil fuel investments on numerous occasions and has set out their position and asset allocation in its Investment Strategy Statement.  I also understand that in preparing this Statement, the Committee had advice from its Independent Financial Advisor, and from the Chief Responsible Investment Officer for the Brunel Partnership.  The latter is internationally recognised within the investment community as a leading authority on responsible and sustainable investment.

 

The Committee is continuing its work with the Responsible Investment Team at Brunel to develop reporting in this area, so that the Pension Fund Committee can demonstrate the results of its current policies in this area, as part of its overall management of the Pension Fund. 

 

Supplementary Question

 

It is true that in March 2017, Climate risk was added to that Investment strategy statement.  Since then climate risk has increased but as far as we can tell no asserts have been moved away from fossil fuels as a result.

 

Will you encourage the Pension Fund to transfer assets including the £21m invested directly in Shell to the Brunel Partnership Low Carbon or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 219/18

220/18

Questions with Notice from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 312 KB

Minutes:

10 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 4 (Question from Councillor Howson to Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles) Councillor Hibbert-Biles undertook to write to the Regional School Commissioner to ask them how many EU teachers are employed in academies in Oxfordshire, cautioning that they were not obliged to respond.

 

In relation to question 5 (Question from Councillor Howson to Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles) Councillor Hibbert-Biles undertook to ask the Learning and Skills Council for an assurance that they would not be pulling funding from the Swan School due to the current delay in planning permission.

221/18

Appointment of a Joint Chief Executive for Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Cabinet agreed on 4 June 2018 to work in partnership with Cherwell District Council and to adopt joint working arrangements with Cherwell on the basis of a formal ‘Section 113 Agreement’ under the Local Government Act 1972.  This included an agreement that there should be a joint chief executive for both authorities with the intention that this person should also be appointed as the statutory Head of Paid Service for Oxfordshire County Council.  

 

This report sets out the recommendations of the Council’s Remuneration Committee on the appointment of a Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council.  The report also recommends that if this appointment is agreed, there is then a need to agree the ending, on the grounds of redundancy, of the role of the County Council’s current Chief Executive, as this post would no longer be required.

 

The Council’s Constitution incorporates statutory rules which the authority must follow when determining the appointment of a senior manager such as the Chief Executive or ‘Head of Paid Service’. 

 

At this meeting, Full Council is receiving the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee as to an appointment of Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. Once an initial determination to appoint has been made, the Proper Officer will consult Cabinet members. Full Council will also be asked to make an initial decision on the ending of the current Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service role on the grounds of redundancy. Cabinet members will be consulted on this also.

 

At a second meeting, scheduled for later today, Full Council will consider any comments from Cabinet and will determine whether to confirm any such appointment.  If so, it will also consider the matter of any redundancy.

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)      agree that Yvonne Rees should be appointed to the post of Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service of Oxfordshire County Council with effect from the 1 October 2018; and in consequence

(b)      agree to the ending of the current Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service role on the grounds of redundancy; and

(c)      in consequence of 1 and 2., to ask the Proper Officer, under Part 8.4(4) and (10) of the Constitution, to notify members of Cabinet of these intentions in order to seek their views on the proposed appointment and redundancy.

Minutes:

On 4 June 2018, Cabinet had agreed to work in partnership with Cherwell District Council and to adopt joint working arrangements with Cherwell on the basis of a formal ‘Section 113 Agreement’ under the Local Government Act 1972.  This included an agreement that there should be a joint chief executive for both authorities with the intention that this person should also be appointed as the statutory Head of Paid Service for Oxfordshire County Council.  

 

Council had before it a report which set out the recommendations of the Council’s Remuneration Committee on the appointment of a Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council.  The report also recommends that if this appointment was agreed, there was then a need to agree the ending, on the grounds of redundancy, of the role of the County Council’s current Chief Executive, as this post would no longer be required.

 

The Council’s Constitution incorporated statutory rules which the authority must follow when determining the appointment of a senior manager such as the Chief Executive or ‘Head of Paid Service’.

 

At this meeting, Full Council was receiving the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee as to an appointment of Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. Once an initial determination to appoint had been made, the Proper Officer would consult Cabinet members. Full Council would also be asked to make an initial decision on the ending of the current Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service role on the grounds of redundancy. Cabinet members would be consulted on this also.

 

At a second meeting, scheduled for later today, Council would consider any comments from Cabinet and would determine whether to confirm any such appointment.  If so, it will also consider the matter of any redundancy.

 

Councillor Hudspeth moved and Councillor Brighouse seconded that the recommendations on the face of the Agenda and the report be moved.

 

Following Debate in which the Council paid tribute to Peter Clark, Chief Executive, the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 45 votes to 14.

 

RESOLVED: (45 votes to 14) to:

 

(a)      agree that Yvonne Rees should be appointed to the post of Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service of Oxfordshire County Council with effect from the 1 October 2018; and in consequence

(b)      agree to the ending of the current Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service role on the grounds of redundancy; and

(c)       in consequence of 1 and 2., to ask the Proper Officer, under Part 8.4(4) and (10) of the Constitution, to notify members of Cabinet of these intentions in order to seek their views on the proposed appointment and redundancy.

222/18

Annual Report of the Transition Fund for Children's Services pdf icon PDF 1 MB

The Oxfordshire Together Transition Fund for open-access children’s services has been running for one year. This is the first Annual Report on outcomes from grants made to community organisations from the Fund.

 

The report sets out the background to the County Council's move to a community-led approach to open-access children's services and how the Transition Fund grants have been awarded. It then goes on to set out the types of services being delivered, how they link to other services and the feedback from residents on the quality of provision.

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Oxfordshire Together Transition Fund for open-access children’s services had been running for one year. The Council had before it the first Annual Report on outcomes from grants made to community organisations from the Fund.

 

The report set out the background to the County Council's move to a community-led approach to open-access children's services and how the Transition Fund grants had been awarded. It further set out the types of services being delivered, how they link to other services and the feedback from residents on the quality of provision.

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Gray, seconded by Councillor Hudspeth and carried nem con) to note the report.

223/18

2018/19 Requests for Supplementary Estimate

The Director for Finance reports as follows:

 

As set out in the Provisional Revenue and Capital Outturn Report to Cabinet on 19 June 2018, all over and underspends have been transferred to general balances. This includes an underspend of £123,909 on the Transition Fund for open access children’s services.

 

Applications to the fund were considered by a cross-party panel of Councillors in seven rounds during in 2017/18.  A total of £876,091 was allocated to be used over the agreed three year period. This leaves a balance of £123,909 as the fund has now closed to new applications.

 

It is proposed that Council approve the use of the £123,909 underspend and that it is transferred to the Budget Priorities Reserve until it is required. 

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the use of the £123,909underspend on the Transition fund for open access children’s services which will be transferred to the Budget Priorities Reserve until required.

Minutes:

As set out in the Provisional Revenue and Capital Outturn Report to Cabinet on 19 June 2018, all over and underspends had been transferred to general balances. This included an underspend of £123,909 on the Transition Fund for open access children’s services.

 

Applications to the fund were considered by a cross-party panel of Councillors in seven rounds during in 2017/18.  A total of £876,091 was allocated to be used over the agreed three-year period. This left a balance of £123,909 as the fund had now closed to new applications.

 

Council had before it a report which proposed that Council approve the use of the £123,909 underspend and that it is transferred to the Budget Priorities Reserve until it is required. 

 

With the consent of Council, Councillor David Bartholomew moved and Counciilr Brighouse seconded an alteration to the recommendations at the suggestion of Councillor Liz Brighouse as shown in bold underline below:

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the use of the £123,909 underspend on the Transition fund for open access children’s services which will be transferred to and until required for this purpose transfer to the Budget Priorities Reserve until required.

 

Following debate, the recommendations as amended were put to the vote and were carried nem con.

 

RESOLVED:  (nem con) to approve the use of the £123,909 underspend on the Transition fund for open access children’s services and until required for this purpose transfer to the Budget Priorities Reserve.

224/18

Corporate Plan pdf icon PDF 2 MB

The Corporate Plan (CC12) sets out the County Council’s overarching strategy for the period 2018-2021. It states our updated vision for ‘thriving communities’ in Oxfordshire and describes the council’s main priorities and the specific actions that will be taken in the period to March 2019.

 

This document builds on a short, public-facing document (the 'prospectus') which was published in October 2017 and summarised the council's vision and priorities. The Corporate Plan 2018- 2021 expands on the messages in the prospectus, drawing together our vision, values and the key areas of focus for the coming year.

 

The intended audience for the Plan is Councillors, staff, partners, inspectors and residents with a specific interest.

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to receive the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it the Corporate Plan (CC12) which set out the County Council’s overarching strategy for the period 2018-2021, together with an updated vision for ‘thriving communities’ in Oxfordshire and described the council’s main priorities and the specific actions that will be taken in the period to March 2019.

 

This document built on a short, public-facing document (the 'prospectus') which was published in October 2017 and summarised the council's vision and priorities. The Corporate Plan 2018- 2021 expands on the messages in the prospectus, drawing together our vision, values and the key areas of focus for the coming year.

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Heathcoat, seconded by Counciilor Hudspeth and carried nem con) to receive the report.

225/18

Annual Report of the Scrutiny Committees pdf icon PDF 434 KB

Each year the Scrutiny Annual Report (attached at Annex 1) provides a summary of the work and impact of the council’s three scrutiny committees; Performance Scrutiny, Education Scrutiny and Health Overview & Scrutiny, and any Cabinet Advisory Groups appointed by Cabinet during the year.

 

The report (CC13) is structured by committee and highlights where the committees’ influence has been greatest. It emphasises the areas where scrutiny has had a tangible impact on decision-making and held decision-makers to account.

 

In the face of budget pressures across the local authority and the NHS locally, the role of scrutiny has become increasingly important for ensuring the needs of Oxfordshire residents are at the forefront of decisions about local services. 

 

To ensure that scrutiny continues to robustly challenge and influence the decisions of the council and Health partners, officers and members identified a range of practical steps to improve the effectiveness of the council’s existing scrutiny arrangements. This has focused on enabling more flexible, councillor-led scrutiny that centres on priority areas for Oxfordshire and balances this against areas of emerging concern.

 

Both the Audit and Governance Committee and Performance Scrutiny Committee have reviewed this report and its layout and content have been amended to reflect their comments. 

 

The Council is RECOMMENDED to receive the report.

Minutes:

The Council had before it the Scrutiny Annual Report which provided a summary of the work and impact of the council’s three scrutiny committees; Performance Scrutiny, Education Scrutiny and Health Overview & Scrutiny, and any Cabinet Advisory Groups appointed by Cabinet during the year.

 

The report (CC13) was structured by committee and highlighted where the committees’ influence had been greatest. It emphasised the areas where scrutiny had a tangible impact on decision-making and held decision-makers to account.

 

Both the Audit and Governance Committee and Performance Scrutiny Committee had reviewed this report and its layout and content had been amended to reflect their comments. 

 

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Brighouse, seconded by Councillor Waine and carried nem con) to receive the report.

226/18

Report of the Cabinet pdf icon PDF 236 KB

Report of the Cabinet Meetings held on 20 March 2018, 17 April 2018, 22 May 2018, 4 June 2018 and 19 June 2018 (CC14).

Minutes:

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

 

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Adult Social Care Contributions Policy) (Question from Councillor Afridi to Councillor Stratford) Councillor Stratford undertook to provide Councillor Afridi with a written answer on how many assessments have now taken place and how many residents have been adversely affected by the Policy.

 

In relation to paragraph 6 of the report (Area Highway Operations in the City Council Authority Boundary – Agency Agreement) (Question from Councillor Buckley to Councillor Constance) Councillor Constance undertook to provide greater clarity in the form of written guidance to officers and members around how the new process is going to work in relation to the Agency Agreement and who is responsible for what.

 

In relation to paragraph 8 of the report (Thames Water – Draft Water Resources Management Plan 2019) (Question from Councillor Mathew to Councillor Constance) Councillor Constance undertook to investigate the issue of Sewer Flooding through Cabinet or CAG.

 

In relation to paragraph 12 of the report (Provisional 2017/18 Revenue and Capital Outturn) (Question from Councillor Howson to Councillor Bartholomew) Councillor Bartholomew undertook to provide Councillor Howson with a written answer in relation to whether the £0.2m overspend referred to at 55.5 could be reclaimed from Network Rail or central government. 

227/18

Motion by Councillor Liz Brighouse

“This Council believes that children with SEND should not have their transport to and from schools and associated activities cut.  This Transport enhances their lives and enables their parents to work and contribute to the economy.

 

The Council asks the Director for Children’s Services to consider, with the affected Schools’ Heads and other interested parties, this issue in order to come up with other options to curtail these costs rather than withdrawing provision from these vulnerable children and their families. Such options to include working with schools to maximise the use of the maintenance grants and looking at alternative procurement practices including better use of the integrated transport service.

 

The results of this work to be considered by the Education Scrutiny Committee as part of their policy development role before being determination at Cabinet. Any shortfall in the budget to be funded from reserves until such time as all the options have been considered.

 

The recent changes to the home to school transport policy be deferred until these alternative options have been diligently pursued and evaluated.”

 

Minutes:

With the Consent of Council, Councillor Liz Brighouse moved and Councillor Waine an alteration to her Motion as shown in bold italics/strikethrough below:

 

“This Councilbelieves thatchildren withSEND should nothave theirtransport to andfrom schoolsand associatedactivities cut. This Transportenhances theirlivesand enablestheir parentsto workand contributeto the economy.

 

TheCouncil asksthe Directorfor Children's Services toconsider,with theaffected Schools'Heads and otherinterestedparties, thisissuein order tocome up withother optionsto curtailthese costsrather thanwithdrawingprovision fromthese vulnerable children andtheir families.Such options toincludeworking withschools tomaximise theuse ofthe maintenance grantsand looking at alternativeprocurement -practicesincluding better useof theintegratedtransport service.

 

· Theresults ofthis workto be consideredby the EducationScrutiny Committee·as partof theirpolicydevelopment role beforebeing determinationat CabinetCouncil endorses theuse ofAny shortfallin thebudget tobe fundedfromreserves in theeventofany shortfallintheBudgetuntilsuchtimeas all theoptions havebeen considered.

 

Cabinetis requestedtodefer implementationofthe recent changesto thehometo schooltransport policyuntil·these alternativeoptionshavebeen diligentlypursued and_evaluated."

 

Following debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried by 51 votes to 0, with 7 abstentions.

 

RESOLVED: (by 51 to 0, with 7 abstentions)

 

“This Councilbelieves thatchildren withSEND should nothave theirtransport to andfrom schoolsand associatedactivities cut. This Transportenhances theirlivesand enablestheir parentsto workand contributeto the economy.

 

TheCouncil asksthe Directorfor Children's Services toconsider,with theaffected Schools'Heads and otherinterestedparties, thisissuein order tocome up withother optionsto curtailthese costsrather thanwithdrawingprovision fromthese vulnerable children andtheir families.Such options toincludeworking withschools tomaximise theuse ofthe maintenance grantsand looking at alternativeprocurement -practicesincluding better useof theintegratedtransport service.

 

Theresults ofthis workto be consideredby the EducationScrutiny Committee·as partof theirpolicydevelopment role beforebeing determinationat CabinetCouncil endorsesthe useof reservesin theeventof any shortfallin theBudgetuntilsuchtimeas all theoptions havebeen considered.

 

Cabinetis requestedto defer implementationofthe recent changesto thehometo schooltransport policyuntil·these alternativeoptionshavebeen diligentlypursued and_evaluated."

 

Following debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried by 51 votes to 0, with 7 abstentions.

 

228/18

Motion by Councillor Susanne Bartington

“This Council welcomes the proposals by the Government to ban plastic straw, plastic stirrers and plastic cotton bud; this along with the commitment on single use coffee cups and single use plastics shows the government’s commitment to reduce the use of plastics.

 

This Council asks that Cabinet comes forward with a realistic timetable to stop using plastic straw, plastic stirrers, plastic cotton bud, non-recyclable cups and single use plastics by the Autumn.

 

This Council asks that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Environment congratulating him on his progressive proposals.”

Minutes:

With the Consent of Council, Councillor Bartington moved and Councillor Cherry seconded an alteration to her Motion as shown in bold italics/strikethrough below:

 

Therate ofglobal plasticproductionhas increasedinrecent yearswithanestimated 8-12milliontonnesofplastic enteringtheworld'soceanseachyear.  Plasticproductionandpollutiononthisscale isunsustainable andharmfultoour planet,healthandwildlife.

 

"This Councilwelcomes theproposals bytheGovernmentplans toreducewaste fromsingleuseplastics(SUP’S)including_atoban onthe saleofplasticstrawsplasticstirrers andplastic-Stemmedcotton budsand consultationfor extension ofthe 5p plasticbag·chargeandintroductionofa bottledeposit return scheme. Theseproposals, demonstratethe government's commitment· withinthe25-yearEnvironmentPlanto eliminating all avoidable reduce the use of plastic waste by 2042.

 

ThisCouncil asks resolves to worktowardseliminationofall avoidableplastic wasteand callsupon the that CabinetMemberforEnvironmenttobringcomes-forward proposalsby with arealistic timetableto stop'usingplastic straw,platicstirrers,  plasticcotton.bud,non recyclable cupsand singleuse plasticsby the Autumn2018 to:           ·

 

ThisCouncilasks·thattheLeaderoftheCouncil writeto the Secretaryof Statefor Environment congratulating himonhis p_rogressiveproposals:"

 

(i)Phase outtheuseofavoidableSUPsin allCounty Councilpremises.

 

(ii)·Workwithcontractedpartners toendpurchaseandprocurementofavoidableSUPsthrough theCouncilsupply chain._

 

(iii)lncentivisetraderson CountyCouncil sitesto avoidSUPs asa conditionoftheirevent permission.

 

With the consent of Council, Councillor Bob Johnson withdrew his motion.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: (unanimously)

 

“The rateof global plasticproductionhas increasedin recent yearswith an estimated 8-12milliontonnesof plastic enteringtheworld'soceanseachyear.  Plasticproductionandpollutionon this scale isunsustainable andharmfultoour planet,healthandwildlife.

 

This Councilwelcomes Government plans toreducewaste fromsingleuse plastics (SUP’S) including_aban onthe saleof plastic strawsplasticstirrers andplastic-Stemmedcotton budsand consultationfor extension ofthe 5p plastic bag·chargeand introductionof a bottledeposit return scheme.  Theseproposals, demonstratethegovernment's commitment· withinthe 25-year EnvironmentPlan eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.

 

ThisCouncil resolvesto worktowardseliminationofall avoidableplastic wasteand callsuponthe Cabinet Memberfor Environmentto bring forwardproposalsbyAutumn 2018to:           ·

 

(i)Phase outthe use of avoidableSUPs inall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 228/18

229/18

Motion by Councillor Richard Webber

“The impact of Brexit (hard or soft) will affect all Oxfordshire residents.

 

Council believes that with Brexit fast approaching, it is both sensible and realistic that the potential risks and impact of Brexit on Oxfordshire good and bad, short term and long term, are fully understood as far as is possible and aired in public together with detailed discussion on how these impacts can be mitigated for.

 

To achieve this, Council undertakes to organize and co-ordinate a public conference/symposium in  autumn 2018 in which Oxfordshire experts and leaders in business, science, engineering, education, social services and other areas are invited to participate, together with elected representatives at all levels. As the largest organisation in the County representing most of the interests most likely to be affected, OCC is uniquely placed to lead this initiative by immediately setting up an organizing committee of senior Officers and Councillors of all parties. The findings and conclusions of the symposium would be presented as a report to full Council and other authorities.”

Minutes:

With the Consent of Council, Councillor Webber withdrew his Motion.

230/18

Motion by Councillor Mike Fox-Davies

“The Thames Water Draft Resources Management Plan (dWRMP19), consultation was opened on the 8th February and closed on the 29Th April. The plan proposes a new reservoir near Abingdon to serve the forecast needs of not only the Thames Water area, but also the wider South East.

 

The consultation response from OCC looks for clarification on: -

·           the population forecast figures; 

·           how much water will be sold to other water companies

·           how Thames Water will speed up their programme of leakage reduction

 

This Council supports the position of GARD in response to the plan

which asks Thames Water to: -

·           Reduce leakage by half by 2050

·           Improve water-use efficiency to match the norms of other companies

·           Provide a proper analysis of water available through other measures, including Teddington DRA; Severn Trent water transfer and water re-use.

Which together should together solve the water shortage issue and provide a 1 in 200 severity drought resilience.

And calls on the Leader of the Council to write to Thames Water, Defra, the Environment Agency and Ofwat, requesting that a second consultation be undertaken due to incomplete information or errors on the information used to base their recommendations.”

Minutes:

With the consent of Council, Councillor Fox-Davies moved and Councillor Bob Johnston seconded an alteration to his motion at the suggestion of Councillor Bob Johnston as shown in strikethrough below:

 

“The Thames Water Draft Resources Management Plan (dWRMP19), consultation was opened on the 8th. February and closed on the 29th April. The plan proposes a new reservoir near Abingdon to serve the forecast needs of not only the Thames Water area, but also the wider South East.

 

The consultation response from OCC looks for clarification on:-

·                     the population forecast figures;

·                     how much water will be sold to other water companies;

·                     how Thames Water will speed up their programme of leakage reduction.

 

This Council supports the position of- GARD in response to the plan which asks Thames Water to:-

          Reduce leakage by half by 2050;

          Improve water-use efficiency to match the norms of other companies;

          Provide a proper analysis of water available through other measures, including Teddington DRA; Severn Trent water transfer and water re-use.

 

Which together should together solve the water shortage issue and provide a 1 in 200 severity drought resilience.

 

And calls on the Leader of the Council to write to Thames Water, Defra, the Environment Agency and Ofwat, requesting that a second consultation be undertaken due to incomplete information or errors on the information used to base their recommendations."

 

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

 

RESOLVED: (unanimously)

 

“The Thames Water Draft Resources Management Plan (dWRMP19), consultation was opened on the 8th. February and closed on the 29th April. The plan proposes a new reservoir near Abingdon to serve the forecast needs of not only the Thames Water area, but also the wider South East.

 

The consultation response from OCC looks for clarification on:-

·                     the population forecast figures;

·                     how much water will be sold to other water companies;

·                     how Thames Water will speed up their programme of leakage reduction.

 

This Council supports the position of- GARD in response to the plan which asks Thames Water to:-

          Reduce leakage by half by 2050;

          Improve water-use efficiency to match the norms of other companies;

          Provide a proper analysis of water available through other measures, including Teddington DRA and water re-use.

 

Which together should together solve the water shortage issue and provide a 1 in 200 severity drought resilience.

 

And calls on the Leader of the Council to write to Thames Water, Defra, the Environment Agency and Ofwat, requesting that a second consultation be undertaken due to incomplete information or errors on the information used to base their recommendations."

 

 

231/18

Motion by Councillor Susanna Pressel

DEFRA is considering whether to grant a licence to expand the badger cull to areas of lower risk, including Oxfordshire.

 

There has been 5 years of culling in high risk areas at a cost to the UK tax payer of £50m so far. Not only has there been no significant reduction in bovine TB, there has actually been an increase.

So far culling has had the effect of causing badgers to move to other areas. Any that do have TB may be spreading it further. This is entirely predictable and impossible to prevent.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to DEFRA saying that we are opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.”

 

Minutes:

Councillor Pressel moved and Councillor Banfield seconded the following motion:

 

DEFRA is considering whether to grant a licence to expand the badger cull to areas of lower risk, including Oxfordshire.

 

There has been 5 years of culling in high risk areas at a cost to the UK tax payer of £50m so far. Not only has there been no significant reduction in bovine TB, there has actually been an increase.

So far culling has had the effect of causing badgers to move to other areas. Any that do have TB may be spreading it further. This is entirely predictable and impossible to prevent.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to DEFRA saying that we are opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.”

 

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 23 votes 19, with 13 abstentions.

 

RESOLVED:  Accordingly.

232/18

Motions by Councillors Mark Cherry, Laura Price and John Howson

“This Council notes the pervasive damage caused by plastic to the environment, particularly to the wildlife in our countryside, oceans and rivers. Much of this damage is created by single-use plastics.

 

This Council is committed to tackling this problem in Oxfordshire, and calls on the Cabinet Member for the Environment to conduct a review of the usage of single-use plastics in all County Council-owned premises, with a view to eliminating any unnecessary single-use plastics from Council sites and operations”

Minutes:

The time being 3.30, these motions were considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.1.