Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2023 (CC1a) and the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2023 (CC1b) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meetings held on 13 October 2023 and 7 November 2023 were approved.

Councillor David Bartholomew noted that the date for the meeting of Council in February 2025 was showing on the Council website as 18 February despite the fact that the Council meeting agreed to change it to 11 February.  Anita Bradley, Monitoring Officer, apologised for the error, thanked Councillor Bartholomew for bringing it to her attention and assured Council that it would be corrected on the Council website immediately.

Apologies were received from Councillors Ash, Banfield, Brighouse, Constance and van Mierlo.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair summarised his main activities since the last meeting:

15th November – Long service awards, jointly hosted with the Chief Executive

29th November – RAF Benson gate opening ceremony, jointly cut ribbon with Station Commander Chris Royston-Airey

1st December – Christmas tree festival jointly hosted with St Helen’s Church in Benson

6th December – County Lights switch on, jointly hosted with Preservation trust in the Castle Courtyard followed by refreshments at County Hall

Councillor Lorna Berrett, Chair of Botley and North Hinksey Parish Council, was awarded Star Councillor of the Year by the National Association of Local Councils.  Cllr Berrett has worked tirelessly during her eight years as a councillor especially on improved parish facilities such as public art, new play equipment, bus stops and the running of valued events such as the Remembrance Day service.  Congratulations to Councillor Berrett on her award.

We have been notified that former County Councillor John Cochrane has passed away.  Councillor Cochrane represented the Wychwood division from 1985 to 1997, served on the Education Committee, and later on the Social Services committee, where he had responsibility for taking care of its finances. As a business man he was also a representative on the South East England Regional Assembly.  Council observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

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:

Audit & Governance Committee – Councillor Glynis Phillips to replace Councillor Trish Elphinstone

OCC & Employees Joint Consultative Committee: Councillor Ilott to replace Councillor Reeves

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 11 December 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:

Petition:

Katie Nellist (SEND Services)

Item 12 – Future Council Governance Group:

Alison Chisholm

Item 13 – Electoral Review:

Julie Mabberley

Barry Gooch

Item 17 – Motion by Councillor Sally Povolotsky:

Richard Harding

Kiera Bentley

Derek Stork

Barry Gooch

Alison Semple

Olly Glover

Item 18 – Motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves:

Claire Brenner

Item 19 – Motion by Councillor Michael O’Connor:

John Skinner

Danny Yee

Robin Tucker

Chris Heron

Zuhura Plummer

Richard Parnham

Emily Kerr

Jemima Hunt

Tony Eaude

Gabriele Santi

Alexandra West

Clinton Pugh

Item 21 – Motion by Stefan Gawrysiak:

Robert Aitken

Ian Reissmann

Daniel Leveson

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

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

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

Report from Leader of the Council.

The report summarises the decisions from the Cabinet meeting on 21 November 2023.

Council received the report of Cabinet covering the meeting held on 21 November 2023.

On item 1, the Care Homes Purchasing Framework, Councillor Middleton asked if the Cabinet Member could give an assessment of how the tougher VISA rules unveiled by the government last week would impact the staffing levels in adult social care. Councillor Bearder responded that the government’s announcement last week further compounded the lack of preparation on migration issues that had been apparent since the UK took the decision to leave the European Union. Cllr Bearder thanked all of the hard-working staff in the adult social care sector and stressed the need for proper pay, skills training, and protections for all adult social care workers, wherever they come from.

On item 2, the Business Services Transformation Programme Business Refocus, Councillor Bartholomew asked how much money had been wasted on the decision for functions to remain with Hampshire County Council’s Integrated Business Centre, after the administration had previously sought to bring these services back in-house. Councillor Fawcett responded that he was unsure of the specific answer but was happy to find out and provide a written response.  He highlighted the pragmatism with which the administration dealt with this situation, due to the changing situation that would have had significant costs for the Council.

Councillor Phillips questioned what the new recruitment process outlined in the report would look like, given that there was a lack of information in the report. Councillor Fawcett noted that the point of the exercise was to ascertain the best practice to improve the recruitment process.

Councillor Pressel asked about the news that County Hall would close for 12* days over the Christmas period and if it would also affect registration services. Councillor Fawcett responded that he was happy to check this.

* The offices were actually proposed to be closed for 10 days (23 December to 1 January).

On item 3, the Treasury Management Mid-Term Review, Councillor Bartholomew asked what approach the Cabinet Member would take next year, when there was a risk of underachievement given that the base rates of interest rates may fall faster than expected. Councillor Levy reflected the point that the Treasury team had to capitalise on favourable conditions, such as interest rates being higher than expected, and stated that he trusted the Treasury team to take the necessary decisions.

Councillor Baines asked that, given the Treasury team expects interest rates to fall in the medium to long term, why was the building of further new children’s homes, special schools and sheltered housing not included in the capital programme. Councillor Levy responded that all projects that the Council wants to do were discussed in the budget, but the Council had to be selective due to the lack of proper central government funding.

On item 4, the Budget and Business Planning Report 2024/25, Councillor Bartholomew raised the new financial strategy for children and social care, but questioned the achievements of the current year given that the overspend continued to rise. Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108/23

Report from Executive Director: Resources

The report outlines the difference between the average earnings of men and women across the Council workforce.  The Council is required to report on this annually.

Council is RECOMMENDED to receive the Gender Pay Gap report and approve for publication.

Council considered a report outlining the difference between the average earnings of men and women across the Council workforce. The Council was required to report on this annually.  The Council voluntarily reports on the Ethnicity Pay Gap.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Community & Corporate Services, introduced and moved the report. Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, seconded the report. Following debate, the recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED (unanimously): to receive the Gender Pay Gap Report and approve for publication.

Report by Executive Director: Resources

This report sets out the Treasury Management position at 30 September 2023. Throughout this report, the performance for the first half of the year is measured against the budget agreed by Council in February 2023.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the council’s treasury management activity in the first half of 2023/24.

Council had before it a report setting out the Treasury Management position at 30 September 2023.

The report was introduced and moved by Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, and seconded by Councillor Leffman.

Following debate, the recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED (unanimously): to note the council’s treasury management activity in the first half of 2023/24.

Report of the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

The Audit and Governance Committee welcomed the findings and recommendations of the Future Council Governance Group.  Although the only recommendation that needs to be formally presented to Council is the one relating to the formation of the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members of the committee requested that the group’s full report be appended to the committee’s report to full Council.  

Council is RECOMMENDED

1.     To establish an Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprising nine elected members.  Terms of reference to follow.

2.     To note the work undertaken by the Future Council Governance Group including the findings and recommendations at paragraphs 35 to 40 of the report (please refer to the report at Annex 1).

The Chair noted that the Audit and Governance Committee had welcomed the findings and recommendations of the Future Council Governance Group. Although the only recommendation that needed to be formally presented to Council was the one relating to the formation of the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members of the Audit & Governance Committee requested that the group’s full report be appended to the committee’s report to full Council.

The report was introduced and proposed by Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak, Chair of the Future Council Governance Group, and seconded by Councillor Roz Smith, Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee.  An amendment to the recommendations from the proposers was published in Addenda 2.

Councillor Charlie Hicks proposed and Councillor Duncan Enright seconded an amendment to add the word ‘Children’ to the title of the proposed new scrutiny committee.

Following debate, the amendment was lost with 13 votes in favour, 38 against and no abstentions.

Following further discussion, the recommendations, as amended by the proposers, were approved unanimously (52 votes in favour, 0 against and 0 abstentions).

RESOLVED:

1. To establish an Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprising nine elected members.

2. To approve the terms of reference for the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee as indicated in the agenda supplement along with the related changes to the terms of reference for the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

3. To note the work undertaken by the Future Council Governance Group including the findings and recommendations at paragraphs 35 to 40 of the report (please refer to the report at Annex 1).

Report of the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

The report recommends some amendments to the draft recommendations following discussions by the cross-party working group.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to support the draft recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) relating to the boundaries for 69 single-member divisions with the exception of those divisions in Cherwell District covering the area in and around Banbury for which the following response is proposed:

a)              To request that the areas affected by the community governance review determined by Cherwell District Council on 17 October 2022 be included within the Banbury divisions. 

b)              To request adoption of the boundaries included in the Council submission on 28 March 2023 relating to Cropredy and Wroxton, Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote, Deddington and Hook Norton, and Fringford and Heyfords.

c)              To request adoption of the boundaries included in the Council submission on 28 March 2023 relating to Banbury as they better reflect the identity of local communities, subject to one minor amendment:  the area to the west of the railway line and to the east of the canal should become part of Banbury Calthorpe (rather than Grimsbury and Castle). 

Council considered a report recommending some amendments to the draft recommendations following discussions by the cross-party working group.

The report was introduced and proposed by Councillor Gawrysiak and seconded by Councillor Kieron Mallon.  The proposers also moved an amendment to their own recommendations outlined in Addenda 2:

In recommendation c): To request adoption of the boundaries included in the Council submission on 28 March 2023 relating to Banbury as they better reflect the identity of local communities, subject to one minor amendment:  the area to the west of the railway line and to the east of the canal should become part of Banbury Calthorpe (rather than Grimsbury and Castle). boundaries relating to Banbury that better reflect the identity of local communities as included in the updated map which reflects the adjustment to the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury.

Following discussion, the recommendations were carried as amended with 38 votes in favour, 11 against and 3 abstentions.

RESOLVED: to support the draft recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) relating to the boundaries for 69 single-member divisions with the exception of those divisions in Cherwell District covering the area in and around Banbury for which the following response is proposed:

a)              To request that the areas affected by the community governance review determined by Cherwell District Council on 17 October 2022 be included within the Banbury divisions. 

b)              To request adoption of the boundaries included in the Council submission on 28 March 2023 relating to Cropredy and Wroxton, Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote, Deddington and Hook Norton, and Fringford and Heyfords.

c)              To request adoption of boundaries relating to Banbury that better reflect the identity of local communities as included in the updated map which reflects the adjustment to the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury.

Council had before it a review of the political balance on committees following the introduction of the Education & Young People Overview & Scrutiny Committee and two extra Member positions on the Pension Fund Committee as well as a number of changes to political group membership.

The Chair, Councillor Felix Bloomfield, moved the recommendations and they were seconded by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Alison Rooke.  The Chair noted that revised Annexes 1 and 2 were published in Addenda 2.

Councillor Mark Cherry proposed that separate votes be taken on the three recommendations.

Recommendation 1 was carried with 41 votes in favour, 1 against and no abstentions.

Recommendation 2 was carried with 48 votes in favour, 0 against and no abstentions.

Recommendation 3 was lost with 4 votes in favour, 40 against and 3 abstentions.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Horton Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee will retain the same political balance:

·       3 Members of the Liberal Democrats/Green Alliance

·       3 Members of the Conservative Independent Alliance

·       1 Member of the Labour & Cooperative Party

·       1 independent non-aligned Member.

The overall political balance was not affected by the decision to retain the committee.

RESOLVED:

1.              To note the review of political balance of committees to reflect the establishment of the new Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the increase in membership of the Pension Fund Committee and changes to the membership of political groups.  

2.              To appoint members to the committees of the Council listed at Annex 1. A fully populated list with nominations from the political groups for the vacant seats will be circulated ahead of the meeting.

Report by Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

The Council is required by regulation to have an Independent Remuneration Panel to assess councillors’ allowances make recommendations, as appropriate, the Council. The report outlines the recommendations from the meeting of the IRP on 1 December 2023.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to adopt the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel:

1.     To increase councillor allowances by 5.7% with effect from 1 April 2023 in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the 2023-24 local government pay award.

2.     In future years, to increase all councillor, independent member and co-optee allowances in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the local government pay award. This will be limited to the four-year term of each council.

Council considered a report outlining the recommendations from the meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on 1 December 2023.

The Chair thanked the members of the IRP for their work, in particular for how quickly they had met to assess allowances after the finalisation of the 2023-24 staff pay award.

The Chair proposed the recommendations and the Vice-Chair seconded.  The proposers also moved an amendment to the recommendations as published Addenda 2 as follows:

1.     To increase councillor allowances by 5.7% with effect from 1 April 2023 in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the 2023-24 local government pay award.

2.     In future years, to increase all councillor, independent member and co-optee allowances in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the local government pay award. This is limited to a four-year term of each council period ending in financial year 2025-26.

Following debate, the recommendations as amended were approved with 26 votes in favour, 0 against and 22 abstentions.

RESOLVED:

3.     To increase councillor allowances by 5.7% with effect from 1 April 2023 in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the 2023-24 local government pay award.

4.     In future years, to increase all councillor, independent member and co-optee allowances in line with the percentage rise in overall employee costs for Oxfordshire County Council arising from the local government pay award. This is limited to a four-year period ending in financial year 2025-26.

Report of the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

The terms of reference have been updated at Annex A to the report to reflect the 2018 CIPFA guidance along with the latest 2022 CIPFA guidance on audit committees.

Council is RECOMMENDED to make the changes to the terms of reference of the Audit and Governance Committee (Part 5.1A of the Constitution) as highlighted in Annex A to the report. This reflects the latest guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) - Audit Committees: Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police (2022).

Council had before it terms of reference that had been updated to reflect the CIPFA guidance on audit committees.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Roz Smith, Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee, and seconded by Councillor Brad Baines, Deputy Chair.

Following debate, the recommendations were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED (unanimously): to make the changes to the terms of reference of the Audit and Governance Committee (Part 5.1A of the Constitution) as highlighted in Annex A to the report. This reflects the latest guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) – Audit Committees: Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police (2022).

Over the last 2 years the South East Strategic Reservoir (SESRO) has been placed by Thames Water into the Water Resource South East Strategy (WRSE), the new Thames Water Management Plan (TWMP) and is also entered into a National Infrastructure evaluation called Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID)run by OFWAT.

This Council under administrations involving Conservative, Labour & Cooperative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties has consistently stood with the local residents expressing our concerns and publicly stating our position against the SESRO scheme presented for consultation.

This Council notes that

1. Public consultations carried out in the last 18 months were for a scheme design 50% smaller than that now being taken to the Secretary of State for approval.

2. Vale of White Horse District Council also stands against the designs on the table for SESRO as the local planning authority

3. Despite thousands of responses by Oxfordshire residents on SESRO, none of the issues presented have been addressed comprehensively.

This Council resolves to

1. Ask the Leader to request an all party meeting with the current Secretary of State alongside GARD, CPRE and Political leaders in this chamber and the County Councillors in the proposed zone of development.

2. Ask the Leader request that OFWAT pause SESRO in the RAPID scheme given flaws in the data already highlighted by this Council to Thames Water until formal questions are answered.

3. Investigate a Water Resource Task and Finish CAG option and create a Water Resource Champion.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Sally Povolotsky and seconded by Councillor Ian Snowdon.

An amendment, listed in the Schedule of Business, had been proposed by Councillor Duncan Enright but was withdrawn.

Following debate, the motion was carried with 51 votes in favour, 0 against and 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

Over the last 2 years the South East Strategic Reservoir (SESRO) has been placed by Thames Water into the Water Resource South East Strategy (WRSE), the new Thames Water Management Plan (TWMP) and is also entered into a National Infrastructure evaluation called Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) run by OFWAT.

This Council under administrations involving Conservative, Labour & Cooperative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties has consistently stood with the local residents expressing our concerns and publicly stating our position against the SESRO scheme presented for consultation.

This Council notes that

1. Public consultations carried out in the last 18 months were for a scheme design 50%

smaller than that now being taken to the Secretary of State for approval.

2. Vale of White Horse District Council also stands against the designs on the table for SESRO as the local planning authority

3. Despite thousands of responses by Oxfordshire residents on SESRO, none of the

issues presented have been addressed comprehensively.

This Council resolves to

1. Ask the Leader to request an all party meeting with the current Secretary of State alongside GARD, CPRE and Political leaders in this chamber and the County Councillors in the proposed zone of development.

2. Ask the Leader request that OFWAT pause SESRO in the RAPID scheme given flaws in the data already highlighted by this Council to Thames Water until formal questions are answered.

3. Investigate a Water Resource Task and Finish CAG option and create a Water Resource Champion.

The findings of the residents' survey, as more particularly revealed to councillors on 19 October 2023, are deeply troubling for the Council. They indicate that the Council's budget and strategic priorities are not aligned with residents’ expectations.

Elsewhere there is further evidence of this administration's lack of sound financial management. The previous Conservative Independent Alliance administration achieved an average of 91% of ambitious savings targets, whereas the September Business Management Report projects just 71% achievement of savings for the current financial year.

Of particular concern is the projected overspend of £11.8m in Children's Services, taking the corresponding directorate spend to £180.9m. 

Despite these issues, the administration often gives the impression that the Council’s next budget will not require cross-party support for it to pass.

This Council:

a) Resolves to ask the Cabinet to take the results of its residents’ survey more seriously in its emerging budget plans; and

b) Asks the administration’s Cabinet to more fully engage with political group leaders and backbench colleagues, as appropriate, on the budget and the Council’s strategic priorities.

The time being 3.23 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2 as the Chair ruled that there was not enough time remaining to have sufficient debate.

This Council notes:

1.     It was recorded in 2013 that ‘operational capacity has already been reached or exceeded on much of [Oxford’s] road network.’ Most of Oxford’s busiest roads have since seen significant further rises in motor traffic.

2.     The Council has not effectively engaged Oxford’s communities on transport. Too many feel their communities have been divided, their voices not heard, and concerns ignored.

3.     The evaluation report for the East Oxford LTNs notes that there have been ‘large increases in traffic near The Plain roundabout’ as traffic is funnelled down three radial routes.

4.     Now is the time for pragmatic and fair solutions to long-standing congestion problems, including those exacerbated by LTNs, and for listening to all our residents, building on the motion unanimously passed by Council on 7 November.

Council urgently requests Cabinet to:

5.     Investigate opening a direct route for motor traffic between Iffley Road, Cowley Road and St. Clement’s, such as Rectory Road and Marston Street, to facilitate traffic dispersion.

6.     Investigate installing traffic lights on The Plain to improve traffic flow.

7.     Investigate measures to reduce private school traffic on The Plain, such as a school street on Cowley Place.

8.     Investigate opening the Littlemore Road filter to motor traffic outside school travel hours and provide traffic calming, segregated cycle lane, and pick-me-up service to key amenities.

9.     Create a taskforce to work with local communities and councillors to make other targeted, meaningful improvements to tackle congestion.

10.Bring proposals to Cabinet within three months.

This Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

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 that 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.

This Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

Oxfordshire County Council has 97 Short Stay Hub Beds (‘SSHBs’), which are widely distributed across the county. They are used to support Oxfordshire residents who are medically ready for discharge from acute hospital beds but who need a short period of bed-based reablement to help them get ready for living in their own home. 

Currently, SSHBs in Henley have full occupancy and are supervised well by medical professionals at the Hart and Bell Henley surgeries. 

SSHBs had been due to be cut by one-third to 63, with the Council removing Henley’s SSHBs without consultation among local GPs, nor proper scrutiny by elected members before local intervention. This is unacceptable and must not be repeated. 

 This Council:  

1.    Deplores any future reduction in SSHBs without consultation and scrutiny; and 

2.     Requests that members be fully appraised of the reasons for removing Henley’s SSHBs, which serve a population of c.140,000 across South Oxfordshire, without reasonable geographical provision being maintained across the county. 

This Council further strongly disapproves of the words of Cllrs Leffman and Bearder, who have stated that the location of short stay hub beds would be based on market factors rather than geography when the beds are purchased as part of an open-market tender.

This Council requests that the Cabinet:  

3.    Takes executive action to ensure that the 34 SSHBs cut by the administration can be restored at short notice; and  

4.    Ensures that Adult Social Care, together with SEND improvement, is a key priority in the next budget cycle.  

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. 

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, including those running co-operatives, and

·         advise Members attending Cabinet and relevant scrutiny committees of the impact of Council policies on the county’s SMEs. 

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 2024/25 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 the feasibility of a county owned Anaerobic digester facility.

This Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

Oxfordshire is renowned for its music excellence and heritage. As well as being something many of us enjoy, live music is a major contributor to the local economy; a 2017 study found that in Oxford, the estimated total annual spend on live music was £10.5 million, supporting an estimated 350 FTE jobs.

This Council’s excellent music service provides a vital introduction to music for many young people.

However, recent years have been extremely challenging for local music, with several venues closing because of development pressures, and a shortage of accessible spaces for young musicians to practice and learn.

The recent decision to remove the music course from Oxford Brookes University’s curriculum will not only impact students and staff, but also local music more generally. Many previous graduates of Oxford Brookes music courses continue to work in the arts in Oxfordshire in a wide variety of fields, including teaching in our schools.

Taken together, these changes are damaging to Oxfordshire’s standing as a place to embark on a music career, and risk leaving opportunities and facilities available only to those who can afford to pay for them.

Council asks the Leader to write to the Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes expressing Council’s concern about the loss of the music course, and asks cabinet to:

- Consider how to promote wider access to music facilities and lessons for young people

- Review options, such as a heritage trail, for celebrating Oxfordshire music across the county

- Support efforts to establish community-led venues.

This Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.

This Council notes that:

1.    Housing is a human right.

2.    This country is experiencing a housing crisis.

3.    Oxfordshire is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, with house prices in Oxford alone averaging £500,000 according to Land Registry figures.

4.    Many of our staff find it hard to live in Oxfordshire due to the cost of housing, exacerbating difficulties in recruitment and retention.

5.    Housing is one of the most significant influences on population health as it is a key ‘building block’ of health.

6.    Demand for services such as social care is affected by lack of affordable and healthy housing.

7.    The housing crisis has contributed to a sharp rise in the number of people who are homeless and people sleeping rough in Oxfordshire.

8.    Every pound invested in homeless support generates an estimated £2.80 in wider savings and benefits according to PwC.

Therefore, this Council resolves to declare a housing crisis and requests that Cabinet:

9.    Undertake a survey of Council-owned land to identify sites on which genuinely affordable housing could be built, including for council employees.

10.Investigate innovative methods of financing genuinely affordable housing, such as a Revolving Loan Fund for community housing projects.

11.Establish a Countywide Housing Commission aimed at developing pragmatic solutions to our housing crisis with partners.

12.Continue to resource homelessness prevention and efforts to support those who are homeless or sleeping rough, taking a housing-first approach.

This Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.