Decisions

Under the provisions set out in Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the Chairman of the meeting was of the opinion that the following item - COVID Update Post Prime Minister’s Announcement could be taken after Agenda Item 8 as urgent business in view of the recent Government announcement and developing national situation.’

Council received an update from the Leader of the Council and held a debate, the details of which would be noted in the Minutes.

The time being 3.43 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.1.

The Motion was Lost by 31 votes to 29.

The Motion was carried by 54 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions.

Recommendations agreed.

Council received the report of the Cabinet.

In relation to paragraph 1 of the report (Question from Councillor Price to Councillor Heathcoat) Councillor Hudspeth undertook to ask Councillor Heathcoat to provide a written response with the specific details of the total number of posts being held back from recruitment as part of the £15m in year budget cuts?

In relation to paragraph 1 of the report (Question from Councillor Roz Smith to Councillor Heathcoat) Councillor Hudspeth undertook to ask Councillor Heathcoat to provide a written response in relation to concerns about the rising number of unemployed 18 to 24-year olds and whether more apprenticeships were being offered this year?

In relation to paragraph 4 of the report (Question from Councillor Jane Hanna to Councillor Steve Harrod) Councillor Harrod undertook to provide a written response on whether there was an update of risk assessment of safeguarding in light of OSCB Annual Report statistics.

In relation to paragraph 4 of the report (Question from Councillor Emily Smith to Councillor Steve Harrod) Councillor Harrod undertook to provide a written response detailing what measures had been put in place over the past 3 years to alleviate the impact of the removal of the Youth Service, as highlighted in the OSCB Report.

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Councillor Emma Turnbull to Councillor Lindsay-Gale) Councillor Hudspeth undertook to ask Councillor Lindsay-Gale to provide a written response detailing what progress has been made, since the Cabinet Meeting, in undertaking a full review of the High Needs Block and how Councillor Lindsay-Gale was going to ensure that young people did not suffer as a result of the deficit reduction measures when it was known that young people with SEND had been severely impacted by Covid.

In relation to paragraph 5 of the report (Question from Councillor Richard Webber to Councillor Lindsay-Gale) Councillor Hudspeth undertook to ask Councillor Lindsay-Gale to provide a written response detailing whether there was any news of government support for the High Needs Block.

In relation to paragraph 9 of the report (Question from Councillor Judy Roberts to Councillor Constance) Councillor Constance undertook to speak with the parking Manager and provide a written response on when the Website would be amended so that people outside of the City Boundary could report parking enforcement complaints.

In relation to paragraph 11 of the report (Question from Councillor Glynis Phillips to Councillor Bartholomew) Councillor Bartholomew undertook to provide a written response on the progress of the review of the Major Infrastructure Programme pipeline and when the outcome of this review will be shared with members.

In relation to paragraph 13 of the report (Question from Councillor Richard Webber to Councillor Mark Gray) Councillor Gray undertook to provide a comment on the inequality of stop and search of young Caribbean males and to forward the comments to the police.

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report (Question from Councillor Glynis Phillips to Councillor Harrod) Councillor Harrod undertook to provide a written response in relation to the risk register line LR2 which raised the risk of central government intervention in relation to safeguarding children and adults and the associated assessment of the likelihood of central government intervention.

The Motion was lost by 32 votes to 28.

The Motion was carried unanimously.

With the consent of Council, Councillor Mathew moved his motion, amended at the suggestion of Councillor Tim Bearder as shown below in strikethrough and bold italics:

The decision, last autumn now, by the Oxfordshire LEP to withdraw the funding from the Loop Farm project (Duke’s Cut to Loop Farm Roundabout), a long-promised relief road to the A40 round Oxford, undermines sensible solutions to the endless traffic jams on the A40 between Witney and Oxford roundabouts. Given that the use of public money should be productive.

Council asks Cabinet to review the plans presently being offered and adopt a long-term strategy that will meet the public’s needs for the next twenty years at least and should include serious consideration of a rail link from Carterton, Witney and Eynsham to Oxfordas part of this work Council asks the Cabinet to consider undertaking a feasibility study should funding be confirmedto look at a rail link from Carterton, Witney and Eynsham to Oxford.

The Motion as amended was agreed nem con, with 1 abstention.

25 questions with Notice were asked.  Details of the questions and answers and supplementary questions and answers will be set out in the Annex to the minutes.

In relation to Question 5, Councillor Constance undertook to provide Councillor Sudbury with a written answer clarifying whether the County Council had contact with other local authorities such as Hackney who had ambitious tree planting targets.

In relation to Question 10, Councillor Bartholomew undertook to provide Councillor Roberts with a written answer on whether there was a likely timescale for when OCC would be signing the funding agreement.

In relation to Question 12, Councillor Stratford undertook to provide Councillor Pressel with a written answer as to whether the Council had a policy in relation to vaping.

In relation to Question 13, Councillor Constance undertook to provide Councillor Pressel with a written answer on why the specialist consultant support was only for 30 to 40 schools and why the council were employing contractors to undertake this work.

In relation to Question 24, Councillor Stratford undertook to provide Councillor Hannaby with a written answer detailing how many homes were participating in designated settings; how much more funding they would receive and how that would be funded.

Question from Mr Chris Henderson to Councillor David Bartholomew – see Annex

Council received a Petition from Mr Chris Jessop, Chairman of Goring Heath Parish Council requesting Council support to reduce the traffic speed limit through Crays Pond from the current 40mph to 30mph, and to request that you instruct your relevant officers to undertake this reduction with urgency.

Council noted the following appointments:

HOSC

Councillor Susanna Pressel in place of Councillor Laura Price.

Council sent best wishes for a speedy recovery to Councillor Maurice Billington.

Council thanked staff for their tireless contributions across all services in the County and for their ongoing commitment during the pandemic.

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Afridi and Councillor Billington.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 September were approved and signed, subject to the amendments set out on the Schedule of Business.