Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND. View directions
Contact: Colm Ó Caomhánaigh Tel: 07393 001096; E-Mail: colm.ocaomhanaigh@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Link: video link https://oxon.cc/FC10122024
No. | Item |
---|---|
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2024 were approved.
|
|
Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Ash, Bloomfield, Bulmer, Gregory, Hanna, van Mierlo, Murphy and Stevens.
|
|
Declarations of Interest - see guidance note Members are reminded that they must declare their interests orally at the meeting and specify (a) the nature of the interest and (b) which items on the agenda are the relevant items. This applies also to items where members have interests by virtue of their membership of a district council in Oxfordshire. Minutes: In relation to Item 2 on the Report of the Cabinet, Councillor Leffman declared that she was a Director of OxLEP and that Councillor Roberts would respond to any questions on that item. Councillors Graham, Rouane and Thomas declared that they were also Directors.
In relation to the petition taken under Item 6, Councillor Povolotsky declared that she was the Co-Chair of the Parent Teacher Association of the Europa School.
In relation to Item 14, Councillor Reynolds declared that he was a farmer.
|
|
Official Communications Minutes: The Chair congratulated Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service members who raised an amazing £35,329.72 in aid of Children in Need.
A scheme to refurbish two bridges in University Parks had won a coveted Oxford Preservation Trust Award in recognition of its historically sensitive approach. The Chair congratulated all those involved.
The Chair invited all to attend coming events:
Oxfordshire County Council Chair’s Carol Service. Hosted by the Chair and The Right Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester at 6.30pm on Monday 16th December at St Michael and All Angels Church, Abingdon.
Oxfordshire County Council Chair’s Charity Gala Dinner on Friday 10th January 2025 at the Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel, Church Way, Iffley, 7pm for 7.30pm. Details on how to order tickets were in the Schedule of Business.
A list of events attended by the Chair and Vice Chair since the last Council meeting was published in the Schedule of Business. The Chair highlighted two in particular. The Nomad AGM in Henley showcased the incredible work that the charity does for youth and the community in the area including running a foodbank. The Charity Fun Run in Oxford featured several members of staff and Councillors Lygo and Bearder. Well done to all involved.
Council was notified of the passing in October of former Councillor Rita Milne who represented the Wolvercote division as a Liberal Democrat member between 1993 and 1997. She was a member of the Museum, Arts, Libraries and Leisure Committee, Oxford City Divisional Youth Committee and the Southern Arts Ltd - Executive Committee.
Councillor Bob Johnston paid tribute to her work on the Council and recalled that she had been assiduous in her case work and had been a very popular councillor. Members stood for a minute’s silence in her 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 is requested to note the formation of a Cabinet Committee.
At the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2024, the Cabinet agreed to the following arrangements for the exercise of executive functions:
The establishment of a Cabinet Committee to be known as the Shareholder Committee. The committee will operate under Constitution Part 4.3 Cabinet Committees. As agreed by Cabinet, the Membership of the Shareholder Committee shall be all members of the Cabinet, and the agreed Terms of Reference are attached.
Minutes: Council noted the formation of a Cabinet Committee called the Shareholder Committee under Terms of Reference detailed on Page 15 of the Agenda.
Council approved the following appointments:
Councillor Yvonne Constance to replace Councillor Felix Bloomfield on the Audit & Governance Committee.
Councillor Yvonne Constance to replace Councillor Nigel Champken-Woods on the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
|
|
Petitions and Public Address 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 9 December 2024. 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.
Minutes: Petition Aidan Reilly presented a petition with 870 signatures for a safe walking and cycling route from Abingdon and Sutton Courtenay to the Europa School and Culham Science Centre. The speech is published alongside the minutes of this meeting.
|
|
Questions with Notice from Members of the Public Minutes: Four questions were asked. The questions, responses and supplementary questions are recorded in an Annex below.
|
|
Questions with Notice from Members of the Council Minutes: Fifteen questions were asked. The questions, responses and supplementary questions are recorded in an Annex below. |
|
Report of the Cabinet Report from Leader of the Council.
The report summarises the decisions from the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2024.
Minutes: Council received the report of Cabinet covering the Cabinet meeting on 19 November.
On Item 1, Including Everyone Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Framework 2025 – 2029, Councillor Phillips asked why there was no mention of young carers. Councillor Leffman thanked her for pointing that out and responded that she would make sure that it will be amended going forwards.
Councillor Pressel cited a number of examples of a lack of consideration of diversity in Council appointments and consultation, and asked if the Leader agreed that the practice fell far short of the policies. Councillor Leffman agreed that there was a long way to go but that the Council wanted to lead on this and there were Key Performance Indicators that will be monitored.
Councillor Brighouse asked that Looked After Children be included in the consideration of inclusion and expressed concern that much of the data available was not very useful. Councillor Leffman responded that officers were looking at ways to improve Council support for care leavers. With regards to data, she believed that there was a lot of data there but that the Council sometimes did not make the best use of it and this was something she knew that officers were examining.
Item 2, Local Enterprise Partnership Integration - Phase 2, Councillor Brighouse stated her surprise that Council was only being asked to note the formation by Cabinet of a Cabinet Committee and asked that any further decision on this be more inclusive of Council. Councillor Roberts responded that the decision was taken at a public meeting of Cabinet where Members could have asked to speak or put questions.
Councillor Smith asked for an update on progress and when the first Shareholder Committee meeting would take place. Councillor Roberts responded that the first meeting will be on 17 December 2024.
Councillor Baines asked if the Cabinet Member would agree that it would be beneficial to have cross-party representation on the Shareholder Committee. Councillor Roberts noted that the Committee had yet to meet to decide on the future approach so she could not give any commitment to that at this stage.
Councillor Bennett stated that he believed that OxLEP had paid more attention to the voices of larger businesses and asked if there would be a more inclusive approach to consultation. Councillor Roberts confirmed that it was the intention to have more broad representation on any advisory panel such as including the community and voluntary sector.
Councillor Enright asked if the important relationships with the City and District Councils will be retained in the new advisory structure. Councillor Roberts responded that discussions had already taken place with the other councils to ensure that.
On item 3, Climate Action Programme Six Month Update, Councillor Hicks asked the Cabinet Member to outline the plans to deal with the red indicator on Energy and the amber indicators on Transport. Councillor Sudbury responded that the red indicator resulted from the rejection of a bid for government funding and that the Council was working with ... view the full minutes text for item 129/24 |
|
Treasury Management Mid Term Review 2024/25 Report by the Executive Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer
Minutes: Council was asked to note the Treasury Management Mid Term Review 2024/25 which summarised the performance for the first half of the financial year, measured against the budget agreed by Council in February 2024.
The report was moved by Councillor Dan Levy and seconded by Councillor Liz Leffman. Following discussion, Council noted the report.
|
|
Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 Report by Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer
This report invites the Council to consider the Scrutiny Annual Report and formally receive it.
The Council is RECOMMENDED to
a) Receive the Scrutiny Annual Report.
Additional documents: Minutes: Council considered the Scrutiny Annual Report which covered the activities of the scrutiny committees, other than Health, for the 2023/24 Council Year.
The report was proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Simpson.
Councillor Reeves thanked the Chairs of the overview and scrutiny committees and Councillor Simpson thanked the scrutiny officers for their work throughout the year. Following discussion, Council received the report.
|
|
Appraisal Process for the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) Report of the Director of HR and Cultural Change
The recommendations in this report are those which were endorsed by the Remuneration Committee for Council approval.
The Council is RECOMMENDED to:
a) Approve the proposed changes to the appraisal process for the Chief Executive (Head of the Paid Service) as set out by the South East Employers (SEE) review report (Annex 2).
b) Delegate authority to the Remuneration Committee to constitute the Appraisal Panel and undertake the appraisals for the Chief Executive.
c) Approve amendments to the Constitution to include acting as an Appraisal Panel and undertaking Chief Executive’s appraisals to the terms of reference to Remuneration Committee at Part 5.1C and to delegate to the Director of Law and Governance and the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Council had before it a report establishing a procedure for an annual appraisal of the position of Chief Executive. The recommendations in this report had been endorsed by the Remuneration Committee for Council approval.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Liz Leffman, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and seconded by Councillor Liz Brighouse, Deputy Chair.
Following discussion, the recommendations were approved with 48 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
RESOLVED to:
a) Approve the proposed changes to the appraisal process for the Chief Executive (Head of the Paid Service) as set out by the South East Employers (SEE) review report (Annex 2).
b) Delegate authority to the Remuneration Committee to constitute the Appraisal Panel and undertake the appraisals for the Chief Executive.
c) Approve amendments to the Constitution to include acting as an Appraisal Panel and undertaking Chief Executive’s appraisals to the terms of reference to Remuneration Committee at Part 5.1C and to delegate to the Director of Law and Governance and the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution.
|
|
Financial Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations Report by Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer
To approve amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations.
Council is RECOMMENDED to
a) Approve the amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations, as recommended by the Audit and Governance Committee.
Minutes: Council was recommended by the Audit & Governance Committee to approve amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations in the Council Constitution.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Ted Fenton, Chair of the Committee and seconded by Councillor Roz Smith, Deputy Chair.
Following discussion, the recommendation was approved unanimously.
RESOLVED to: Approve the amendments to the Financial Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations, as recommended by the Audit and Governance Committee.
|
|
Motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves - Farming This Council considers that the government’s changes in its Autumn budget to Inheritance Tax treatment of farmland, increases to employers’ National Insurance and introduction of a new fertiliser tax on key agricultural imports will have a detrimental cumulative impact on family farms across Oxfordshire.
This Council notes with concern that these family farm taxes risk:
This Council requests Cabinet to ensure that:
This Council requests the Leader to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask that introduction of these family farm taxes be reconsidered for the sake of environmental protection and food security.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.
Minutes: The motion was proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Field-Johnson. Following debate, the motion was carried with 36 votes in favour, 14 against and 0 abstentions.
RESOLVED: This Council considers that the government’s changes in its Autumn budget to Inheritance Tax treatment of farmland, increases to employers’ National Insurance and introduction of a new fertiliser tax on key agricultural imports will have a detrimental cumulative impact on family farms across Oxfordshire.
This Council notes with concern that these family farm taxes risk:
This Council requests Cabinet to ensure that:
This Council requests the Leader to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask that introduction of these family farm taxes be reconsidered for the sake of environmental protection and food security.
|
|
Motion by Councillor Charlie Hicks - Citizens' Assembly on the Future of Transport in Central Oxfordshire This Council agreed to set up a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Transport in Central Oxfordshire as part of its last budget. This Council considers that it is time for such a Citizens’ Assembly, focused on reducing congestion, to be established. It should happen this financial year.
This Council notes that its ambitious suite of traffic management measures is due to be rolled out in the very near future. These include Oxford’s traffic filters and workplace parking levy, which are now largely enshrined in the Council’s budget and will take place unless there is a change of administration next year.
If all such measures go ahead, Oxfordshire motorists could be hit by £57million in fines in fines and charges, broken down as follows:
For clarity, the purpose of a Congestion Citizens’ Assembly would be to assess the likely effectiveness of such measures, provide recommendations on existing proposals and advise as to whether other measures might be given effect after next year’s local elections as supplements or substitutes for such policies, putting residents’ voices at the heart of the decision-making process.
Council requests Cabinet to establish a Congestion Citizens’ Assembly of Central Oxfordshire citizens, with an advisory group to comprise elected members, local businesspeople, public sector leaders from the Council’s health, education and blue light partners, civil society and faith group leaders, and academics with relevant expertise in the field.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.
Minutes: The motion was proposed by Councillor Hicks and seconded by Councillor Enright.
Amendment 1 was proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Bartholomew and was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the original motion and by Council.
The following Amendment 3 was proposed by Councillor Haywood and seconded by Councillor Bennett:
“This Council considered setting up a Congestion Commission and agreed to set up a Citizens’ Assembly as part of its last budget. With the formulation of this assembly underway this council reiterates that the assembly must take into consideration the main areas of congestion in Oxfordshire, especially the congestion that occurs travelling into, out of and around Oxford, and asks the cabinet to communicate this request to facilitators.
Following debate, amendment 3 was lost with 19 votes in favour, 28 against and 1 abstention.
Following further debate, the motion as amended was carried with 29 votes in favour, 20 against and no abstentions.
RESOLVED: This Council considered
setting up a Congestion Commission and agreed to set up a
Citizens’ Assembly
This Council notes that its ambitious suite of traffic management measures is due to be rolled out in the very near future. These ... view the full minutes text for item 135/24 |
|
Motion by Councillor Ian Middleton - Badger culling In 2018 this Council passed a motion stating that it was opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.
When DEFRA announced badger culling would be phased out by 2025, many people believed that the cull had ended. Sadly, culling in Oxfordshire intensified, seemingly with the intent of shooting as many badgers as possible before the deadline with over 50% of the county in the killing zones.
Numerous scientific reports show that culling is ineffective as a control measure, yet DEFRA, the NFU and British Cattle Veterinary Association and others continue to advocate its use.
While it’s welcomed that the Labour government has abandoned plans to allow up to 100% of badgers to be killed in some areas, there was a hope that they would cancel the cull altogether and focus on cattle based measures, including support for farmers over improved biosecurity, and a move towards testing and vaccination.
However it now seems likely that the government will permit the cull to continue for at least the next 5 years meaning even more badgers in Oxfordshire will be senselessly slaughtered.
This Council therefore :
1. Re-affirms our opposition to badger culling which has been shown to be an ineffective control measure for Bovine tuberculosis.
2. Asks the Cabinet to consider a specific policy that badger culling will not be permitted on Council-owned land.
3. Requests that the Leader writes to DEFRA making clear our continued opposition to the cull and any extension of it in size and scope.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.
Minutes: The motion was proposed by Councillor Middleton and seconded by Councillor Johnston. Following debate, the motion was carried with 30 votes in favour, 8 against and 7 abstentions.
RESOLVED: In 2018 this Council passed a motion stating that it was opposed to the licensing of a badger cull in Oxfordshire.
When DEFRA announced badger culling would be phased out by 2025, many people believed that the cull had ended. Sadly, culling in Oxfordshire intensified, seemingly with the intent of shooting as many badgers as possible before the deadline with over 50% of the county in the killing zones.
Numerous scientific reports show that culling is ineffective as a control measure, yet DEFRA, the NFU and British Cattle Veterinary Association and others continue to advocate its use.
While it’s welcomed that the Labour government has abandoned plans to allow up to 100% of badgers to be killed in some areas, there was a hope that they would cancel the cull altogether and focus on cattle based measures, including support for farmers over improved biosecurity, and a move towards testing and vaccination.
However it now seems likely that the government will permit the cull to continue for at least the next 5 years meaning even more badgers in Oxfordshire will be senselessly slaughtered.
This Council therefore :
1. Re-affirms our opposition to badger culling which has been shown to be an ineffective control measure for Bovine tuberculosis.
2. Asks the Cabinet to consider a specific policy that badger culling will not be permitted on Council-owned land.
3. Requests that the Leader writes to DEFRA making clear our continued opposition to the cull and any extension of it in size and scope.
|
|
Motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves - Congestion Commission
This Council notes that its ambitious suite of traffic management measures is due to be rolled out, in large measure, before the next set of elections to Oxfordshire County Council in May 2025. These include Oxford’s traffic filters and workplace parking tax, which are now largely enshrined in the Council’s budget and will take place unless there is a change of administration next year.
If all such measures go ahead, Oxfordshire motorists could be hit by £57million in fines and charges over a five-year period broken down as follows:
For clarity, the purpose of a Congestion Commission is not to water down or frustrate the administration’s policies, for which there is budgetary provision. Rather, its object would be to assess the likely effectiveness of such measures and advise as to whether other measures might be given effect after next year’s local elections as supplements or substitutes for such policies.
Council requests Cabinet to establish a Congestion Commission to comprise elected members, local businesspeople, public sector leaders from the Council’s health, education and blue light partners, civil society and faith group leaders, and academics with relevant expertise in the field.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.
Minutes: The motion fell as the issue had already been discussed under item 14. [Council Procedure Rule 11.5(iii)].
|
|
Motion by Councillor Liz Brighouse - Dark Skies This Council, being concerned about the lack of political governance in relation to Dark Skies, the plan to switch off many of the county’s streetlights between 11pm - 6.30am, calls on the Cabinet to carry out a full consultation before bringing this back for decision making. Such consultation to include all county councillors alongside community groups and particularly those working with women and girls.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.
Minutes: The motion was proposed by Councillor Brighouse and seconded by Councillor Phillips.
The amendment proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Mallon was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the original motion and by Council.
Following debate, the motion as amended was carried with 39 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
RESOLVED: This Council, being extremely concerned about the lack of political governance in relation to ‘Dark Skies’, the administration’s plan to switch off many of the county’s streetlights between 11pm - 6.30am, which could have had significant adverse consequences for public safety across parts of our county, especially our urban centres, had it proceeded.
Recognising the need for the Council to safeguard public money, support our rural parishes in their aspirations to curtail unwanted light pollution and protect and local wildlife in our villages, this Council calls on the Cabinet to:
(i)
carry out a full consultation before bringing this
back for delegated decision-making by the Cabinet
Member,
(ii) ensure that all county councillors are fully briefed, whether through their locality meetings or by way of an all-member briefing, before any street lights are switched off; and
(iii) ensure that a fuller Equalities Impact Assessment takes place in connection with future decision-making on such matters of public safety, the previous one in Annexe 5 being lacking.
In future, this Council asks that Cabinet consult elected members more fully on matters of public safety in future.
This Council further notes that pre-scrutiny of such important matters would be beneficial to ensure greater democratic oversight.
|