Agenda, decisions and minutes

See guidance below.

The Chair, Cllr Andrew Gant, declared an interest in respect of item 8, Davenant Road – Traffic Calming and Enhancement of Tree Pits (2025), as he had been involved in the drawing up of the scheme as the local County Councillor for Summertown & Wolvercote.

Thus, in agreement with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Liz Leffman, item 8 would be chaired by Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, under the constitutional provision in Part 4.4, Section 2 (b). Item 8 would also be taken as the first substantive item on the agenda.

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am three working days before the meeting, ask a question on an item on the agenda.

The number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of this item will receive a written response.

Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time.

There were none.

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 to present a petition must be submitted no later than 9am ten working days before the meeting.

Requests to speak must be submitted no later than 9am three working days before the meeting.  Due to the public holidays that means 9am Thursday 17 April 2025 on this occasion.

Requests should be submitted 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.

There were several addresses to the meeting, a list of which can be seen below. Speakers were heard at the beginning of the agenda item they wished to speak on.

Item 8: Davenant Road – Traffic Calming and Enhancement of Tree Pits (2025)

Danny Yee

Emily Green

Item 4: Chipping Norton Local Cycling and Walking Plan

Cllr Mark Walker

Item 7: Oxford: Frenchay Rd – Proposed Relocation of Parking Bays

Melissa Gilani

Emily Green

Danny Yee

Cllr Andrew Gant left the meeting for the duration of Item 8, which had been moved to the first substantive item on the agenda. Cllr Judy Roberts assumed the Chair for Item 8.

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/002

Contact: Stephen Axtell, Senior Officer -Traffic and Road Safety (Stephen.Axtell@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member for Transport Management is RECOMMENDED to:

a)        Approve the new `traffic-calming buildouts` on both sides of the carriageway (4 new and 1 extension north side with 3 new and 2 extensions on the south), and

b)        Approve the associated amendments to existing parking provision & introduction of new ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ parking restrictions to facilitate the proposed traffic calming.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.

Officers confirmed that this proposal was put forward and designed by the residents and that due to the length of time to finish the design, the initial consultation became invalid and hence why the proposal has returned to the CMD process.

Following a question from the Chair regarding the funding of the scheme, officers explained that it was funded via residents and that it would be of no cost to the highways budget.

The Chair noted the high levels of support for the scheme in the consultation.

The Chair noted that this would give a greener impression to the road and made some general comments about the Council’s long-term position on re-designing the Banbury Rd.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the new `traffic-calming buildouts` on both sides of the carriageway (4 new and 1 extension north side with 3 new and 2 extensions on the south), and

b)    Approve the associated amendments to existing parking provision & introduction of new ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ parking restrictions to facilitate the proposed traffic calming.

Cllr Andrew Gant returned to the meeting and assumed the Chair for the rest of the meeting.

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/022

Contact: Odele Parsons, Senior Transport Planner (Odele.Parsons@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the Chipping Norton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The Chair introduced the item, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair referenced several written statements that had been submitted and made some general comments regarding local cycling and walking plans.

The Chair praised the process of having an initial consultation, as well as the role of the Town Council and the local County Councillor’s engagement, which then led to some changes being made after issues were raised.

The Chair referenced the link to traffic calming in the village of Churchill.

The Chair and officers engaged in discussions regarding the proposed housing development to the east of Chipping Norton. The LCWIP document helps the process of infrastructure being built in connection with other sets of infrastructure outside of developments.

The Chair referenced the issue of children walking to and from school and stressed his view of how this was at the heart of what the Council wanted to achieve, through a discussion on the document outlining commuter patterns contained within the LCWIP.

The Chair noted that in rural areas, vehicles are sometimes the only way of travelling but stated that the intention of the LCWIP was to give greater choice to the methods of transport that people use.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the Chipping Norton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/023

Contact: Odele Parsons, Senior Transport Planner (Odele.Parsons@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the Woodstock and Surrounding Areas Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting and referred to a written statement submitted.

The Chair stated the benefits of cycling and walking outlined in the LCWIP, such as the financial costs to the economy, as well as place-shaping and health benefits.

The Chair noted the good cycling connectivity between Woodstock and Oxford.

The Chair noted commuter transport methods, which outlined the lower dependency on cars to commute or that there were further instances of working from home, particularly post-COVID.

The Chair asked for school travel patterns for Woodstock, as had been the case in the Chipping Norton LCWIP.

The Chair thanked officers and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the Woodstock and Surrounding Areas Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/029

Contact: James Wright, Senior Officer – Traffic and Road Safety (James.Wright@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)           Approve the 40mph speed limits ‘buffers’ on the approaches to the village, including the: i) B4450 Chipping Norton Road, ii) B4450 Junction Road, iii) Churchill Road, and iv) Sarsden Road, as advertised.

b)           Approve the Traffic calming features at the following 20mph/40mph terminal location points: i) B4450 Chipping Norton Road, ii) B4450 Junction Road, and iii) Churchill Road, as advertised.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting.

The Chair commented on the good level of consultation response and noted the engagement with the Oxford Bus Company (OBC), which led to officers making changes and OBC withdrawing their objections to the scheme. The Chair felt this was a good example of working with partners.

The Chair referenced several consultation responses relating to noise and school traffic.

The Chair thanked officers and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the 40mph speed limits ‘buffers’ on the approaches to the village, including the: i) B4450 Chipping Norton Road, ii) B4450 Junction Road, iii) Churchill Road and iv) Sarsden Road, as advertised.

b)    Approve the Traffic calming features at the following 20mph/40mph terminal location points: i) B4450 Chipping Norton Road, ii) B4450 Junction Road, and iii) Churchill Road, as advertised.

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/028

Contact: Julian Richardson, Highway Agreements Officer (Julian.Richardson@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)        Approve the reduction of the lining at the existing Zebra crossing on Walton Street (north of Observatory Street) in Oxford, as proposed.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting and confirmed item 9 would be moved ahead of item 7 to allow as much time for public speakers to be able to address the meeting.

Officers confirmed that white zig-zag road markings were a no-stopping zone, and that unloading/loading could be undertaken on double yellow lines.

The Chair noted support for the scheme from the local Oxford City Councillor for Walton Manor.

Officers commented that some parking is beneficial to traffic calming.

The Chair noted that the scheme was fully developer-funded and would be of no cost to the County Council.

The Chair was confident that safety concerns had been addressed by officers and through the Road Safety Audit.

The Chair referenced concerns raised by Thames Valley Police, surrounding visibility concerns. Officers and the Chair confirmed that monitoring of the scheme would be undertaken if the need requires.

The Chair referenced to several consultation responses, particularly with regards to the local input provided by residents.

The Chair thanked officers and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the reduction of the lining at the existing Zebra crossing on Walton Street (north of Observatory Street) in Oxford, as proposed.  

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/039

Contact: Steve Axtell, Senior Officer – Traffic and Road Safety (Stephen.Axtell@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTMT).

The Cabinet Member for Transport Management is RECOMMENDED to:

a)           Defer the decision to relocate the existing ‘Permit Holders Only 8am-6:30pm Monday to Saturday’ parking places, outside Nos.27 & 33 Frenchay Road, to being partly on the adjacent footway, and

b)           Approve the exploration of other potential solutions by Officers if appropriate.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair referred to several written statements submitted.

The Chair clarified the recommendations were to defer the proposals and to give approval to explore other solutions.

The Chair raised the issue of pavement parking and confirmed that the Council was waiting responses from the Department for Transport.

Officers confirmed that the widening of the road at the specific point raised by the Chair would not allow for two-way traffic.

Officers recognised the challenges of the schemes and committed to trying to find alternative solutions as per the recommendations.

The Chair referred to several consultation responses.

The Chair noted the officers’ responses and confirmed that he would like to amend the wording in recommendation a) to ‘reject’ rather than ‘defer’.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations as amended.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Defer Reject the decision to relocate the existing ‘Permit Holders Only 8am-6:30pm Monday to Saturday’ parking places, outside Nos.27 & 33 Frenchay Road, to being partly on the adjacent footway, and

b)    Approve the exploration of other potential solutions by Officers if appropriate.

As this was the last meeting of this Council term before the elections on 1 May, the Chair thanked officers, speakers and Councillors for taking part in these meetings and commended it as a good example of engagement with local communities.