Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.
To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e., 9am on Wednesday 26 October 2022. Requests to speak should be sent to chris.reynolds@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 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.
Minutes:
Petitions
7 petitions on issues concerning children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) had been received. The Chair had agreed for 3 speakers to address the Council.
Mary Totman, Olivia Johnson and Ross Kuklinski were invited to address the Council
Mary Totman referred to what she considered to be systemic failings and discrimination in assessing the needs of vulnerable children. Ms Totman accused the Council of failing to accept the recommendations in professional reports which had resulted in the development of poor quality education and health care plans. Ms Totman considered that the authority was prone to “cherry picking evidence” with a view to saving costs and that, as a result, many children were receiving inadequate educational provision. She refuted the suggestion that all of these problems were the result of national issues and that the County Council’s policies were a contributory factor.
Olivia Johnson considered that there had been a complete breakdown of communication between the Council and parents of children provided with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) which did not reflect their needs. In her view, it was not the case that all children could be adequately supported in the mainstream educational system. She said that the authority was wasting money on defending its case in tribunals and the failures of the SEND system had an impact on families, their finances and mental health. She said that every child had a right to an education through which they could thrive and requested that the Council replaced it adversarial practices with collaboration with parents. She requested that the Council adhered to legal timescales and provided services that worked for all children
Ross Kuklinski said that the County Council had refused to adhere to court orders and communicate with parents in dealing with SEND cases. He referred to the case of his daughter where delaying tactics on the part of the authority and refusal to discuss her proposed EOTAS package had a severe impact on her education and welfare. He criticised the Council for resorting to legal representation at considerable cost in preference to adopting improved communication policies and practices which would enable better services to be provided to children and their parents.
Public Address
Paul Roberts, CEO of Aspire Oxfordshire, referred to the impact of the cost of living crisis on the work of front line charities. Increased demand for services and assistance had placed huge demands on those working on the third sector and he considered that the effect of the economic situation on vulnerable communities in Oxfordshire would be greater than the COVID pandemic. He encouraged the Council to continue to work in collaboration with charities to help build an inclusive economy in the County.
Jamie Clark addressed the Council on the success of the School Streets scheme introduced by the Council. He expressed concern that the ANPR cameras and associated permit schemes had not yet been implemented and the scheme was relying on the good will of volunteers. He asked that the Council publish a timetable for the cameras and permit parking schemes and consider a budget for employing wardens to replace volunteers.
Zahura Plummer spoke in opposition to the motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves (Item 15). She referred to the considerable benefits of the LTNs on the lives of families living in areas benefitting from the schemes. There had been a considerable reduction in traffic transporting children to schools in these areas. Children were being encouraged to cycle to school along safer streets and families were saving money on fuel costs. The schemes needed to be supported by traffic filters to ensure a co-ordinated approach to traffic controls within Oxford.
Danny Yee addressed the Council in opposition to the motion by Councillor Reeves. He referred to the importance and benefits of a sustainable transport system particularly for children attending school and older people needing to access services. The introduction of LTNs had resulted in a considerable reduction in traffic, promoting safer neighbourhoods and were a cost effective method of supporting the objectives of the Central Oxfordshire Traffic Plan (COTP)
Richard Parnham spoke in support of Councillor Reeves motion. He considered that there had been inadequate sampling and diligence in the data collection for traffic volumes and air quality following the introduction of the LTNs in East Oxford. The data evidence had not been comprehensive and had not provided adequate evidence in support of the schemes. He suggested that improvements were needed in data collection for future LTN and traffic filter schemes.
The Monitoring Officer advised the Council that she was not aware of any evidence of inadequate or incorrect collection of data in relation to traffic schemes.
Robin Tucker, co-chair of the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Healthy Travel, addressed the Council. He referred to a wide range of statistics and survey results demonstrating demonstrating the climate and health-related benefits of LTNs in Oxfordshire. He also expressed concern about criminal activity including vandalism of the traffic control measures.
Nick Welch, Chair Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association, addressed the Council, referred to support from the LTNs in his area and the need for the scheme to be properly evaluated. The acts of vandalism of the traffic control measures are causing considerable disruption to the schemes. The Residents’ Association fully supported the Council’s actions in monitoring and evaluating the schemes going forward.
Public Address
Paul Roberts regarding the work of Aspire Oxfordshire
Jamie Clark regarding School Streets
Zahura Plummer, Danny Yee, Richard Parnham. Robin Tucker, and Nick Welch regarding the Motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves (Item 15)