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 on the day before the meeting i.e., 9am on Monday 27 March 2023. 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:
Richard Parnham addressed the Council on the Citizens Jury recommendation regarding environmental cycling across disused University land. He had attended Cabinet previously where the recommendation had given this suggestion a low priority score. He asked that the Council should ask the Cabinet to give this proposal further consideration I view of its priority to encourage active travel.
Mark Boulle spoke in support of the motion by Councillor Walker. He questioned how 20 minute neighbourhoods had been made a priority of the Council. He argued that investment should be made in the infrastructure of the areas affected. He also questioned the policy regarding the issue of passes and areas affected by traffic filters and was of the view that local authorities should not be dictating the mode of transport to be used by residents.
Clinton Pugh explained that he was a local trader affected by the Cowley LTN scheme. He referred to his previous address to the Council’s Cabinet and the accusation by a Cabinet Member of lying. He argued that the Council had misled the public on the traffic control measures introduced in Oxford City and said that the Cabinet Member should resign.
The Monitoring Officer sated that she had investigated the code of conduct complaint referred to by the speaker in accordance with the Council’s established procedures
Anne Gwinnett, addressed the Council in support of the motion by Councillor Walker. She said that the Council had hidden evidence from data that the proposals would increase the volume of traffic in certain areas and that there was significant opposition to the Council’s proposals. She said that the Council was not listening to residents and that a further study was required
Asha Gill addressed the Council in support of the motion by Councillor Reeves. She said that a campaign had ben launched in support of the Spare seats scheme and opposition to the withdrawal of a removal of a number of seats in the scheme. She argued that this contradicted a number of the Council’s policies and that the campaign group had not been asked to contribute to the Council’s review of school transport chaired by Councillor Graham.
Ken Pelton spoke in support of the motion by Councillor Walker. He was a resident of Noake where residents were severely impacted by the closure of Marston Ferry Road resulting in additional travel distances into Oxford. They would only receive 25 permits per annum. The consultation was poorly organised and not supported by data and should be rerun as proposed in the motion. The large sums being spent on traffic filters should be spent on improving the traffic infrastructure outside Oxford city.
Sarah Singleton spoke in support of the motion by Councillor Reeves. She said that the Council should consider the disproportionate effect on rural areas of the County, and sectors of the community including key workers, single parents and parents of pupils on free school meals. of the ongoing reductions in the spare seats scheme. Rural pupils’ attendance at local and catchment area schools was a matter of affordability. The alternative solutions will not be in place by September
Charlotte Cusworth also addressed the Council on this motion. She explained the impact of the reduction of the scheme for her own personal circumstances on income from her own business. She said it was not viable to move her son to another school or move house to an area where he could travel to school independently.
Pete Walker referred to the letter that had been sent to parents about the withdrawal of part of the spare seats scheme. He argued that the proposals for alternative solutions were inadequate and the cost of providing taxis which greatly exceeded seats on buses. The Council had side-lined the full cost recovery scheme which would enable the provision of seats to be maintained. There had been misleading information provided to parents and communication had been totally inadequate.