Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet meetings of 21 December 2021, 15 February 2022 and 15 March 2022

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

In relation to paragraph 1 of the report (Question from Cllr Andy Graham to Cllr Liz Leffman) Cllr Leffman said that the lessons learned during the pandemic would help this Council, working with other local authorities and partners, to deliver support to refugees from Ukraine and she called on the government to provide more support in this work.

In relation to paragraph 3 of the report (Question from Cllr Andy Graham to Cllr Liz Brighouse) Cllr Brighouse updated the Council on progress with youth offer development. 

In relation to paragraph of the report (Question from Cllr Freddie van Mierlo to Cllr Liz Brighouse) Cllr Brighouse said that she had taken into account the needs of children in endorsing the Council’s policy transport provision for children with special educational needs.

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Cllr Ted Fenton to Cllr Jenny Hannaby) Cllr Hannaby said that the wording of the report was correct

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Cllr Nick Leverton to Cllr Jenny Hannaby) Cllr Hannaby confirmed that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) would stay in place.

In relation to paragraph 7 of the report (Cllr Yvonne Constance to Cllr Pete Sudbury) Cllr Sudbury confirmed that the final response had been submitted and shared her concerns about the process.

In relation to paragraph 7 of the report (Cllr Sally Povolotsky to Cllr Pete Sudbury) Cllr Sudbury agreed that digital exclusion was an important factor to consider in the conduct of consultations to ensure that all residents were able to respond effectively

In relation to paragraph 12 of the report (Cllr Eddie Reeves to Cllr Glynis Phillips) Cllr Phillips confirmed that all County Council staff not located in the workplace were either working from home or on sick leave

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report (Cllr Ian Middleton to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller said that in view of the Council’s financial contingency measures, he was confident that the Council could continue to maintain essential services. He referred to the work with district partners in supporting those in financial need and called on the Government to provide more help to households in the difficult financial climate

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report (Cllr David Bartholomew to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller reiterated his previous response that the Council would continue to deliver services despite inflationary pressures

In relation to paragraph 20 of the report (Cllr Dan Levy to Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Cllr Tim Bearder) Cllr Enright confirmed the assurances made by Cllr Bearder at Cabinet regarding parking in West Oxfordshire

In relation to paragraph 18 of the report (Cllr Andrew Gant to Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Councillor Tim Bearder) Cllr Enright agreed that there was a need to ensure connectivity of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) sites and the Council will be considering much better protected active travel routes

In relation to a question from Cllr Kieron Mallon, Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Cllr Tim Bearder, said that over 70 parishes had applied to be considered for 20 mph speed limit zones and he would ask Cllr Bearder to provide a written update on progress with the scheme, and on the position in Banbury in particular

In relation to paragraph 20 of the report (Cllr Andrew Coles to Cllr Duncan Enright, on behalf of Cllr Tim Bearder), Cllr Enright said that the County Council would work very closely with West Oxfordshire District Council on continuing to provide a seamless parking service to all residents

In relation to paragraph 20 of the report (Cllr Liam Walker to Cllr Duncan Enright), assured members that the Council would not consider introducing charges for on street parking except in cases where communities had requested it.

In relation to a question from Cllr Freddie van Mierlo, Cllr Enright said that there were a number of groups which would be consulted on the future strategy for public transport in the County

In response to a question from Cllr Nick Field-Johnson to Cllr Enright, on behalf of Councillor Tim Bearder, Cllr Enright said he would ask Cllr Bearder to provide a written reply on the progress with the introduction of 20mph speed limit zones

In relation to paragraph 25 of the report, Cllr Richard Webber to Cllr Duncan Enright, Cllr Enright updated the Council on the establishment of the Cabinet Advisory Group (CSAG) on HIF1

In relation to paragraph 25 of the report (Cllr David Rouane to Cllr Duncan Enright), Cllr Enright said he would provide an update to the Council on progress with development of the Didcot Transport master plan

In relation to paragraph 18 of the report, (Cllr Ian Middleton to Cllr Duncan Enright), Cllr Enright explained the options for funding, and referred into the priorities for segregated cycle routes

In relation to paragraph 27, (Cllr David Bartholomew to Cllr Calum Miller), Cllr Miller said there was no impact on the Council’s financial savings following the change to the structures of the County Council and Cherwell District Council

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