The amendment proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Bartholomew was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the original motion and by Council.
The amendment proposed by Councillor Haywood and seconded by Councillor Bennett was lost with 19 votes in favour, 28 against and 1 abstention.
The motion as amended was carried with 29 votes in favour, 20 against and no abstentions.
This Council considered setting up a Congestion Commission and
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 to establish for such a Citizens’ Assembly of local
residents or a Congestion Commission, focused on reducing congestion, to
be established. It should happen this financial year. including
businesspeople, public sector leaders, civil society and faith group leaders,
and academics with relevant expertise, to ensure a greater democratic say in
key decision-making.
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 or
Congestion Commission 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’,
businesses’ and civil society groups’ voices at the heart of local the
decision-making process.
Council requests Cabinet to establish a Congestion Commission or
Citizens’ Assembly of Central Oxfordshire citizens, with an advisory group
to comprise ensuring in so doing that the voices of elected members,
local businesspeople, public sector leaders from the Council’s
health, education and blue light partners, and civil society and
faith groups leaders are properly heard, and academics
with relevant expertise in the field.