Questions on notice received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.10(b)

Questions may be asked of the Lord Mayor, a Member of the City Executive Board or a Chair of a Committee.

The full text of questions must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 1.00pm on 16 September 2015

Full details of all questions, and written responses where available, will be provided in the briefing note.

Questions submitted by members of Council to the Board members, Leader of the Council, by the deadline in the Constitution; responses; and supplementary questions and responses are listed below.

Board member for Climate Change and Cleaner, Greener Oxford

1.    From Councillor Brandt to Councillor Tanner

Now that the World Health Organisation has classified Glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ will the City Council stop applying it to our streets?

Note: See http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/apr/21/glyphosate-probably-carcinogenic-pesticide-why-cities-use-it

Response

Glyphosate is used in weed spraying across the City and this work is undertaken by a specialist contractor. Currently there is no intention to use an alternative based on the following information received from our contractor.

“It seems that it is not possible to rule out entirely that glyphosate could be carcinogenic, which seems to be the reason for the up-regulation by the IARC from ‘unclassifiable’. However due to limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and other mammals in testing, it is also not possible to conclude that it does pose a cancer risk. Whilst glyphosate products are still deemed safe to use by the relevant UK and European authorities and are therefore still approved for use, not only in amenity but in many agricultural situations and on many crops found in our supermarkets, we will continue to use them throughout the course of our business.”

Supplementary

Given the dangers of glyphosphate and the need to protect health, would the council reconsider and ask its contractors to reconsider their use?

Response

We will keep this under review and will ask our contractors to do the same: while noting the points, we need to follow the scientific evidence.

2.    From Councillor Brandt to Councillor Tanner

Could the portfolio holder provide the latest figures on fly-tipping across the City over the last few months?

Response

A detailed breakdown of the fly tipping figures from 1st March 2015 to 31st August 2015 is shown below.

Statistically this indicates a 20% increase from the same period last year but we believe this to be due to more comprehensive and accurate recording systems now being in place rather than fly-tipping being on the increase.

Supplementary

Is there any way to reduce this further?

Response

We need people to inform us, and will take action where we can identify the culprits.

3.    From Councillor Brandt to Councillor Tanner

Air Quality Progress Reports for Oxford City were published by the Council in May 2013 and May 2014. Will a 2015 Report be produced?

Response

An updating and screening report will be produced later in the year.

4.    From Councillor Brandt to Councillor Tanner

When does Oxford City Council expect to be compliant with the EU air pollution limit on NOX within the City’s Air Quality Management Area?

Can the Councillor set out the pathway how compliance will be achieved?

Response

Air quality in Oxford is steadily improving over most the City is already compliant with the European Union air pollution limits. There remain some troubling hotspots despite the success of reducing pollution from buses.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46