Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 were approved with the following amendment:

Under item 60/23 Appointments, in the second appointment listed, replace “Councillor Ley” with “Councillor Rooke”.

NB Officers have since the meeting confirmed that the minute was in fact correct.  Councillor Rooke was appointed at the October meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillors Ash, Edosomwan, Fatemian and Murphy.

On agenda item 17, Motion by Councillor Gant, Councillor George Reynolds stated that, as he was the Chair of Cherwell District Council Planning Committee, he will be abstaining on the vote.

The following statement was made on behalf of the County Council:

“We share the grief and the fear of the many Oxfordshire residents with family and friends in Israel and Gaza. We stand in solidarity with all our communities across the county and call for the violence to end and for international law to be respected. We also condemn in the strongest terms the anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim attacks that have taken place here in the UK, including in Oxfordshire. These are profoundly wrong - there is no place for racism or intolerance in our county. Now, more than ever, we must stand together, united in mutual respect and understanding.”

Some of Oxfordshire’s most dedicated carers were celebrated at an event marking the significant milestones they have achieved while supporting others.  Shared Lives is a scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council that matches caring households with adults who have additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.  Around 20 households were recognised for between 10 and 30 years involvement with the scheme.

Oxfordshire County Council and its long-term contractor Milestone Infrastructure have been recognised in three categories of the Highways Awards for their collaboration on the north Oxford corridor improvement project.  The project won the Environmental Sustainability Award for de-carbonisation.  Congratulations to all involved.

Oxfordshire County Council has also won the award for the best climate action and decarbonisation initiative at the recent Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Service Awards 2023.  It was recognised for its energy insights tool and energy flexibility trials, successfully demonstrating the crucial role local authorities can play in moving away from the use of polluting fossil fuels.  Congratulations to all of the officers involved.

The Chair also reported his attendance at a number of events across the county most notably:

·         Hosted a St Frideswide event at County Hall followed by a service at Christchurch Cathedral.

·         Welcomed HRH the Princess Royal during her visit to Henley River & Rowing Museum.

·         Supported the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at Blenheim Palace.

To make any changes to the membership of scrutiny and other committees on the nomination of political groups and to note any changes to the Cabinet made by the Leader of the Council.

Council approved the following changes to Committees:

People Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Corkin to replace Councillor Walker

Oxfordshire County Council & Employees Joint Consultative Committee: Councillor Fawcett to replace Councillor Rooke

Council noted the following change to the Shadow Cabinet notified by the Leader of the Opposition:

Councillor Corkin to replace Councillor Ford as Shadow Cabinet Member for SEND Improvement

Members of the public who wish to speak on an item on the agenda at this meeting, or present a petition, can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. Requests must be submitted no later than 9am one working day before the meeting i.e., 9am on Monday 6 November 2023. Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@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 on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

The following requests to speak were received:

Item 18

John Sanders

John Skinner

Danny Yee

Richard Parnham

Anne Stares

Anne Gwinnett

Robin Tucker

Clinton Pugh

Nigel Clarke

Zuhura Plummer

City Cllr Emily Kerr

David Henwood

Lily Martyn

James Schumann

Sarah Lockyer

Abby White

Duncan Parkes

City Cllr Jemima Hunt

Item 21

Bernadette Evans

The speeches that have been supplied are attached to the minutes.

Seven questions were asked.  The questions, responses and supplementary questions are recorded in an Annex below.

Twenty six questions were asked.  The questions, responses and supplementary questions are recorded in an Annex below.

Report by the Director of Law & Governance

This report primarily focuses on the work of the Performance & Corporate Services, Place and People overview and scrutiny committees.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to receive the Scrutiny Annual Report

This report primarily focused on the work of the Performance & Corporate Services, Place and People overview and scrutiny committees since their formation in 2021.

Councillor Eddie Reeves, Chair of the Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee, introduced and moved the report.  Councillor Baines, Deputy Chair, welcomed and seconded the report.

Following debate, the recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED (unanimously): to receive the Scrutiny Annual Report.

Report by the Leader of the Council.

The report covers the Cabinet meetings held on 19 September 2023 and 17 October 2023.

Council considered the report of Cabinet covering the meetings held on 19 September 2023 and 17 October 2023.

On paragraph 1, Pan-regional partnership for the Oxford-Cambridge area,

Councillor Brighouse asked if the new Cabinet would continue supporting the partnership given that the Leader relied on votes of Labour Party members of the previous Cabinet to approve membership of this body.  Councillor Leffman responded that the partnership was dealing with issues of the environment and sustainability and it was important to cooperate with our neighbours on these issues.

On paragraph 3, Local Aggregate Assessment for 2022, Councillor Cherry asked if the Cabinet Member could assure that there were adequate routing agreements relating to quarries in Oxfordshire.  Councillor Sudbury agreed to provide a written response.

Councillor Johnston asked for an assurance that the Council would not change the targets for aggregate extraction which might lead to speculative applications.  Councillor Sudbury responded that the Council was obliged by the NPPF to set targets.  Oxfordshire was short of crushed rock so he believed he could not give an assurance that there would be no change.

On paragraph 4, Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2022-23, Councillor O’Connor asked what the Council was doing to reduce the risk of death for homeless people.  Councillor Bearder responded that safeguarding concerns had increased by 14% in line with national trends. He outlined a number of measures being taken by the Council and partners to reduce harm and offered to give more detail in a written response.

Councillor Hanna asked if the learning from examples of multi-agency working to reduce risk of death in those with learning disabilities can be implemented, particularly around safe discharge that involves next of kin and allied health providers.  Councillor Bearder responded that he would detail the ways in which the Council will work with partners in a written response.

On paragraph 7, Local Area Partnership/SEND Ofsted Inspection,Councillor Reeves asked why Council had heard no response yet to the motion on SEND services passed by Council a month previously.  He asked for a response after the meeting.

On paragraph 8, Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2022-23, Councillor Hanna noted that the report into child deaths estimated that 42% had avoidable factors and asked if the Cabinet Member could assure the Council that he will take on board the recommendations for more collaboration and efficient sharing.  Councillor Howson responded that he was happy to commit to improving all cooperation across services to reduce child deaths to the lowest possible number.

Councillor O’Connor asked the Cabinet Member to outline how he would ensure as many Early Help Assessments take place this year as possible, as the target was missed last year.  Councillor Howson offered a written response as it was too technical to be able to give a brief answer.

On paragraph 9, Workforce Report and Staffing Data - Quarter 1 - April to July 2023, Councillor Phillips asked what was being done to bridge the disparity between the proportion of non-white staff  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86/23

Report by Chief Executive

Council is RECOMMENDED to

a)              Approve the pay scale of £159,000 to £187,000 for the three proposed Executive Director roles; Executive Director of People, Executive Director of Place and Executive Director of Resources, which will form part of the Strategic Leadership Team;

b)              Appoint Stephen Chandler as permanent Executive Director of People and Lorna Baxter as permanent Executive Director of Resources at ED3 within the pay scale set out in recommendation 1; and

c)              Approve the Council’s Pay Policy being amended at the next annual review in 2024 (Annex 1) to reflect the changes set out in this report.

Council considered a report on the introduction of three Executive Director positions.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, introduced and moved the report.  Councillor Liz Brighouse, Deputy Chair of the Remuneration Committee, seconded the report.

Following debate, the recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED to

a)     Approve the pay scale of £159,000 to £187,000 for the three proposed Executive Director roles; Executive Director of People, Executive Director of Place and Executive Director of Resources, which will form part of the Strategic Leadership Team;

b)     Appoint Stephen Chandler as permanent Executive Director of People and Lorna Baxter as permanent Executive Director of Resources at ED3 within the pay scale set out in recommendation 1; and

c)     Approve the Council’s Pay Policy being amended at the next annual review in 2024 (Annex 1) to reflect the changes set out in this report.

Report by Chief Executive

Council is RECOMMENDED to confirm and approve the designation of Lorna Baxter, Executive Director of Resources, as Section 151 Officer, on a permanent basis from the date of this meeting. 

Council considered a report on the designation of the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, introduced and moved the report.  Councillor Liz Brighouse, Deputy Chair of the Remuneration Committee, seconded the report.

The recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED to confirm and approve the designation of Lorna Baxter, Executive Director of Resources, as Section 151 Officer, on a permanent basis from the date of this meeting. 

Report by Director of Finance

The Council is RECOMMENDED 

a)              To agree the proposed changes by the Pension Fund Committee to their constitution as set out below:

(i)       The addition of two voting members, appointed by the County Council (this increases the number of county councillors from 5 to 7 members).

(ii)      The deletion of the two non-voting positions representing the Academy sector.

b)       To instruct the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to give consideration to the requirements of political balance as set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and present a report to Council at its next meeting for Council to consider nominations and confirm the relevant appointments to the Pension Fund Committee.

Council considered a report on the proposed addition of two Member voting positions on the Pension Fund Committee in place of two non-voting positions.

Councillor Bob Johnston, Chair of the Pension Fund Committee, introduced and moved the report.  Councillor Kevin Bulmer, Deputy Chair, seconded the report.

Following debate, the recommendation was agreed.

The Council is RECOMMENDED 

(a)      To agree the proposed changes by the Pension Fund Committee to their constitution as set out below:

(i)      The addition of two voting members, appointed by the County Council (this increases the number of county councillors from 5 to 7 members).

(ii)     The deletion of the two non-voting positions representing the Academy sector.

b)      To instruct the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to give consideration to the requirements of political balance as set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and present a report to Council at its next meeting for Council to consider nominations and confirm the relevant appointments to the Pension Fund Committee.

Report by Director of Law & Governance

The calendar of meetings for each civic year is presented to Council for approval.

COUNCIL IS RECOMMENDED to approve the calendar of meetings for the 2024-25 council year attached to the report.

Council considered a report on the proposed calendar of meetings for the Council Year 2024/25.

Councillor Felix Bloomfield, Chair of the Council, moved the report.  Councillor Alison Rooke, Vice Chair, seconded the report.

Councillor Bloomfield proposed an amendment, following agreement with Finance officers, that the meeting of Council in February 2025 be moved to 11 February.

Following debate, the recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED to approve the calendar of meetings for the 2024-25 council year attached to the report as amended.

Report by Director of Law & Governance

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the use of Special Urgency for a Key Decision on 17 August 2023.

Council considered a report on the use of Special Urgency to make a Key Decision.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, moved the report.  Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader, seconded the report.

The recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED: to note the use of Special Urgency for a Key Decision on 17 August 2023.

This Council notes that:

·        Since the change in legislation regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2014 the partners delivering provision within the overall system have seen a reduction in resources, spiralling demand, a pandemic and major recruitment issues.

·        Academisation of our Schools has added to the complexity. In Oxfordshire all but one of our Secondary Schools are Academies and over half out Primaries Schools are Academies.

·        In Oxfordshire all schools struggle financially.

·        The Local Area Partnership inspection and similar inspections across the Country identified “systemic failures” across the whole system and families Children and practitioners are currently suffering.

·        The System in England is £3.4bn in deficit in Oxfordshire this will amount to over £50m by March 2024.

45 years ago the The Warnock Report set out the expectations for the system and SEND Delivery framework. It is time for another such report.

This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Education requesting them to set up a Commission urgently to consider the current needs, resources and systemic change which is needed to reform the System in order to support Children and Young People with SEND.

Councillor Liz Brighouse moved and Councillor Charlie Hicks seconded the following motion:

“This Council notes that:

·       Since the change in legislation regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2014 the partners delivering provision within the overall system have seen a reduction in resources, spiralling demand, a pandemic and major recruitment issues.

·       Academisation of our Schools has added to the complexity. In Oxfordshire all but one of our Secondary Schools are Academies and over half out Primaries Schools are Academies.

·       In Oxfordshire all schools struggle financially.

·       The Local Area Partnership inspection and similar inspections across the Country identified “systemic failures” across the whole system and families Children and practitioners are currently suffering.

·       The System in England is £3.4bn in deficit in Oxfordshire this will amount to over £50m by March 2024.

45 years ago the The Warnock Report set out the expectations for the system and SEND Delivery framework. It is time for another such report.

This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Education requesting them to set up a Commission urgently to consider the current needs, resources and systemic change which is needed to reform the System in order to support Children and Young People with SEND.”

Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Nigel Simpson seconded the following amendment:

“This Council notes that:

·        Since the changes in legislation regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2014 under the Coalition Government, the partners delivering provision within the overall system have seen a reduction in resources, relative to the spiralling demand for its services, together with an unprecedented pandemic and major persistent recruitment issues that are widely shared across the developed world.

·        Academisation of our Sschools has added to the complexity. In Oxfordshire, all but one of our Ssecondary Sschools are Aacademies and over half of ourtPprimaries Schools are Aacademies.

·        In Oxfordshire, all schools have struggled financially, given the country’s fiscal and policy challenges.

·        The Local Area Partnership inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission and similar inspections across the Country identified “widespread and/or systemic failures” across the whole system in local services, with “too many children” not receiving “the right help until they are close to crisis” and families Children and practitioners are currently suffering.

·        All parties locally have acknowledged that TtheSsystem in England is c. £3.4bn in deficit. iIn Oxfordshire, this will amounts to over c. £50m by March 2024.

45 years ago, the The Warnock Report set out the expectations for the system and SEND Ddelivery framework. It is time for another such report.

This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Education requesting them to set up a Commission urgently

·       to consider the current needs,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92/23

Oxfordshire County Council is proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in our county. We believe that:

·       everyone has the right to seek safety, and everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;

·       the Government’s ‘anti-refugee’ laws undermine internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution to seek safety;

·       people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as a part of our communities;

·       the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;

Council resolves to:

       i.          defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK by signing the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;

      ii.          call on the UK Government to repeal the Illegal Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act, withdraw the UK–Rwanda partnership,

    iii.          request Cabinet to

·                 work with Local Authorities and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all people with dignity and compassion;

·                 continue to lobby against any UK Government plans to build or repurpose facilities in Oxfordshire to detain or warehouse people seekingsafety;

·                 work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these measures in Oxfordshire;

·                 consider joining the network of cities and towns which promote the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution and become a recognised Council of Sanctuary

Councillor Andrew Gant moved and Councillor Michael O’Connor seconded the following motion:

Oxfordshire County Council is proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in our county. We believe that:

·         everyone has the right to seek safety, and everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;

·         the Government’s ‘anti-refugee’ laws undermine internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution to seek safety;

·         people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as a part of our communities;

·         the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;

Council resolves to:

      i.        defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK by signing the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;

    ii.        call on the UK Government to repeal the Illegal Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act, withdraw the UK–Rwanda partnership,

   iii.        request Cabinet to

·                     work with Local Authorities and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all people with dignity and compassion;

·                     continue to lobby against any UK Government plans to build or repurpose facilities in Oxfordshire to detain or warehouse people seekingsafety;

·                     work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these measures in Oxfordshire;

·                     consider joining the network of cities and towns which promote the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution and become a recognised Council of Sanctuary

Following debate, the motion was carried with 42 in favour; 15 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:

Oxfordshire County Council is proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in our county. We believe that:

·         everyone has the right to seek safety, and everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;

·         the Government’s ‘anti-refugee’ laws undermine internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution to seek safety;

·         people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as a part of our communities;

·         the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;

Council resolves to:

      i.        defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK by signing the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;

    ii.        call on the UK Government to repeal the Illegal Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act, withdraw the UK–Rwanda partnership,

   iii.        request Cabinet to

·                     work with Local Authorities and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all people with dignity and compassion;

·                     continue to lobby against any UK Government plans to build or repurpose facilities in Oxfordshire to detain or warehouse people seekingsafety;

·                     work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these measures in Oxfordshire;

·                     consider joining the network of cities and towns which promote the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93/23

Oxfordshire County Council no longer has support for the:

i. Cowley LTN scheme; and

ii. East Oxford LTN scheme.

Council now requests Cabinet to urgently consider setting in train the necessary executive steps to remove the Cowley LTNs as agreed by the Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) on 21st January 2021 and the East Oxford LTNs as agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday 17th October 2023.

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

“Oxfordshire County Council no longer has support for the:

i. Cowley LTN scheme; and

ii. East Oxford LTN scheme.

Council now requests Cabinet to urgently consider setting in train the necessary executive steps to remove the Cowley LTNs as agreed by the Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) on 21st January 2021 and the East Oxford LTNs as agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday 17th October 2023.”

Councillor Duncan Enright moved and Councillor Charlie Hicks seconded the following amendment:

“Oxfordshire County Council no longer has support for notes the opposition to the:

i. Cowley LTN scheme; and

ii. East Oxford LTN scheme.

Council now requests Cabinet to urgently consider setting in train the necessary executive steps to remove the congestion around the Cowley LTNs as agreed by the Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) on 21st January 2021 and the East Oxford LTNs as agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday 17th October 2023.”

The proposers did not accept the amendment.

.  

Following debate Councillor Robin Bennett moved and Councillor Damian Haywood seconded that the question be put. The motion was carried on a show of hands.

Councillor Liam Walker and more than six other Members stood to request a recorded vote on the amendment.

Councillors voting for the amendment (38):

Baines, Bearder, Bennet, Brighouse, Cherry, Coles, Elphinstone, Enright, Fadlalla, Fawcett, Gant, Gawrysiak, Graham, Gregory, Hanna, Hannaby, Haywood, Hicks, Howson, Johnston, Leffman, Levy, Ley, Middleton, van Mierlo, Miller, O’Connor, Phillips, Povolotsky, Pressel, Roberts, Rooke, Rouane, Saul, Smith, Sudbury, Thomas, Webber.

Councillors voting against the amendment (19):

Banfield, Bartholomew, Bloomfield, Bulmer, Champken-Woods, Constance, Corkin, Fenton, Field-Johnson, Ford, Ilott, Leverton, Mallon, Reeves, Sibley, Simpson, Snowdon, Waine, Walker.

There were no abstentions.

Following further debate the motion, as amended, was carried unanimously (49 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

RESOLVED (unanimously):-

Oxfordshire County Council no longer has support for notes the opposition to the:

i. Cowley LTN scheme; and

ii. East Oxford LTN scheme.

Council now requests Cabinet to urgently consider setting in train the necessary executive steps to remove the congestion around the Cowley LTNs as agreed by the Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) on 21st January 2021 and the East Oxford LTNs as agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday 17th October 2023.

Council requests Cabinet to consider approving the Councils for Fair Tax declaration. 

 This commits Councils to

·        Lead by example and demonstrate good practice in our tax conduct, right across our activities.

·        Ensure IR35 is implemented robustly and contract workers pay a fair share of employment taxes.

·        Not use offshore vehicles for the purchase of land and property, especially where this leads to reduced payments of stamp duty. 

·        Undertake due diligence to ensure that not-for-profit structures are not being used inappropriately by suppliers as an artificial device to reduce the payment of tax and business rates.  

·        Demand clarity on the ultimate beneficial ownership of suppliers UK and overseas and their consolidated profit & loss position, given lack of clarity could be strong indicators of poor financial probity and weak financial standing.

·        Promote Fair Tax Mark certification especially for any business in which we have a significant stake and where corporation tax is due.

·        Support Fair Tax Week events in the area, and celebrate the tax contribution made by responsible businesses are proud to promote responsible tax conduct and pay their fair share of corporation tax. .

Council also requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer supporting calls for urgent reform of UK procurement law to enable local authorities to better penalise poor tax conduct and reward good tax conduct through their procurement policies.”

The time being 4.00 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

Councillors note the increasing number of vacant bank and building society buildings on our high streets, which are largely the result of technological change. The loss of community banking services is of concern to many residents, especially older constituents and those with disabilities and adaptive needs.

Buckinghamshire Council has set up a Banking Hub in  Buckingham library  for people to  access banking services in the town centre.

Established in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council through its Buckingham and Villages Community Board, with the support of Buckingham Town Council and community representatives, the temporary Banking Hub provides local people with access to banking services. This offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions. It also offers a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their banking provider about more complicated issues. Community Bankers work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week, to ensure fair and equitable access to major banking and building society customers.

Council requests the relevant Cabinet member for Community and Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance  to take a lead from forward-thinking colleagues at Buckinghamshire Council and, working with its Town Council, and District Council partners , invite banks and building societies that have left – or are due to leave – our high streets to explore opportunities to work with this Council to set up similar banking hubs within appropriate Council libraries.

The time being 4.00 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

This Council recognises that the voice of small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs’) have, too often, been overlooked.

This Council resolves to request the Leader of the Council to appoint a Small Business Champion to provide a single point of contact for local businesspeople and advise members attending Cabinet and relevant scrutiny committees of the impact of Council policies on the county’s SMEs.

The time being 4.00 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

Pride in the appearance of the public realm is important to our residents. Ensuring that streets and pavements are accessible, level, without hazards, clear of weeds and vegetation is essential for preventing long term damage to the footways, improving accessibility for all, visibility, reducing the chances of accidents, and also allowing people to have pride in their neighbourhood.

Council resolves to:

1. Note the difficulties in maintaining weed clearance to a high standard in view of the expanding network of highways, and in the context of over a decade of budget cuts; and
2. Acknowledge the justified phasing out of glyphosate and herbicide-based methods based on health and environmental grounds; and
3. Recognise that the Council has a statutory duty to keep pavements free of weeds and hazards; and
4. Request the Cabinet Member for Transport Management  to consider options for alternative methods of weed removal, and scheduled maintenance that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, including supporting the work of towns and parishes, local groups and individuals, that can be developed and trialled around the county, and for ongoing consideration of other methods.
5. Request that the Cabinet Member for Finance give due consideration to the findings of this report as part of the next round of budget setting.
6. Embrace collection of green matter from weeding and grass cutting and ask the Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment to consider reviewing a county owned Anaerobic digester facility.

The time being 4.00 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

Since the Alliance governing Oxfordshire collapsed on 24^th Sept 2023 the Council now has a minority Liberal Democrat Green Alliance administration. This leaves Oxfordshire, its employees and those who rely on it for services in a difficult position. At any time unacceptable decisions could be called in to Scrutiny or a Special Council Meeting and the Leader could be subject to no confidence votes. This Council wants to ensure the good governance of Oxfordshire and therefore calls on the Cabinet to:-

·        Ensure that all Group Leaders and Spokespersons are equally involved in all issues relating to decision making and Governance of Oxfordshire.

·        Ensure that briefings are open to the Spokespeople of all three Groups.

·        Inform all Panels and Groups of any new arrangements that may be necessary as a result of no political group having overall control of the Council.

The time being 4.00 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.