Councillors Fry, Goddard, Pressel, Price, and Smith submitted apologies.

Councillors Wade and Wilkinson submitted apologies for lateness and arrived during the first part of the meeting.

Councillor Hayes arrived during Minute 31.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the annual meeting of Council held on 18 May 2015.

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 18 May 2015 as a true and correct record.

There were no declarations.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group has notified the Head of Law and Governance of proposed changes to the group’s membership of committees:

·         Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee - Cllr Steve Goddard to stand down and Cllr Altaf Khan to replace him

·         Scrutiny Committee - Cllr Altaf Khan to stand down and Cllr Gant to replace him.

Any further proposed changes to memberships will be circulated with the briefing note.

Council is asked to agree these changes with immediate effect.

Council agreed to appoint with immediate effect:

·         Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee - Councillor Altaf Khan to replace Councillor Goddard

·         Scrutiny Committee - Councillor Gant to replace Councillor Altaf Khan.

Announcements by:

1.    The Lord Mayor

2.    The Sheriff

3.    The Leader of the Council

4.    The Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Monitoring Officer

The Lord Mayor informed Council of his visit to the city’s twin town of Bonn; and his attendance at the granting of the Freedom of the City to the Rifles.

He informed Council of his attendance at the celebration of the centenary of Flying Officer Johnny Smythe, and gave a brief biography.

The Sheriff informed Council of the successful inspection of Port Meadow and a recent Aunt Sally match.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Board member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.10 and 11.11.

The full text of any address or question must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by 5.00 pm on 14 July.

Full details of addresses submitted by the deadline will be provided in the briefing note. Full details of questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available, will be provided in the briefing note.

Mark Lodge, Director, International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research addressed Council in support of Minute 31 Motion 3. The text of his address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

John Semple addressed Council in opposition to the recommendations in Minute 20. The text of his address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

The Lord Mayor thanked both speakers.

The Head of Housing and Property submitted a report to the City Executive Board (attached) which details the Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2018.

The relevant minute (188) of the City Executive Board meeting on 14 May 2015 is attached later in the agenda.

The City Executive Board recommends that Council adopt the Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2018.

Council had before it a report setting out the proposed Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2018 and the recommendations of the City Executive Board meeting on 14 May 2015.

Councillor Seamons moved the recommendation with three amendments to the strategy set out below to correct typographical errors, remove a statement, and remove a completed action.

Council resolved to adopt the Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2018 as set out in the report with the following changes:

1.    Figure 1.1 – dates on the inner circle of the diagram to read 2015-2018;

2.    Section 4.3.3 – delete sentence ‘However access to family homes may be improved by the introduction of such tenancies in the case of 3 and 4 bedroom homes.’

3.    Summary of actions and objectives – Priority 4  remove action ‘Improve the environments where people live’.

The Head of Housing and Property submitted a report to the City Executive Board (attached) which details the proposed Housing Asset Management Strategy and associated action plan for Oxford City Council’s housing stock.

The relevant minute (21) of the City Executive Board meeting on 11 June 2015 is attached later in the agenda.

The City Executive Board recommends that Council adopt the Housing Asset Management Strategy along with the Oxford Standard as part of the Council’s policy framework.

Council had before it a report setting out the proposed Housing Asset Management Strategy and associated action plan for Oxford City Council’s housing stock and the recommendations of the City Executive Board meeting on 11 June 2015.

Council resolved to adopt the Housing Asset Management Strategy along with the Oxford Standard as part of the Council’s policy framework.

The Executive Director for Community Services submitted a report to the City Executive Board (attached) which sought approval to tender for commercial waste collections and environmental improvement services to a public body. Confidential papers for this item were made available to members with that agenda.

The relevant minute (173) of the City Executive Board meeting on 27 April is attached later in this agenda. The Board agreed to authorise the submission of the tender, and if successful to recommend Council to approve capital expenditure for the purchase of the purchase of compactors and bins. The tender was awarded to the Council.

The City Executive Board recommends that Council approve a capital supplementary estimate of £55,000 for a compactor and bins to support delivery of the contract.

Council had before it a report which sought approval to tender for commercial waste collections and environmental improvement services to a public body and the recommendations of the City Executive Board meeting on 27 April.

Council resolved to approve a capital supplementary estimate of £55,000 for a compactor and bins to support delivery of the contract.

The Head of Housing and Property Services submitted a report to the City Executive Board (attached) which details proposals to increase the project budget and reconfirm delegated authority to the Executive Director for Regeneration and Housing in consultation with the Heads of Finance and Law and Governance, to be able to appoint and award the contract to the preferred principal contractor.

The relevant minute (22) of the City Executive Board meeting on 12 June is attached later in this agenda. Confidential papers for this item were made available to members with that agenda.

The City Executive Board recommends that Council approve an additional budgetary provision within the HRA Capital Programme of £1.750m, funded as detailed at paragraph 19, so that the revised total project budget envelope for the Tower Block Refurbishment Scheme is £20.108m.

Council had before it a report setting out proposals to increase the project budget for the Tower Block Refurbishment Scheme and the recommendations of the City Executive Board meeting on 12 June.

Councillor Seamons, Councillor Turner and the Chief Executive answered questions about the need for the additional provision.

Council resolved to approve an additional budgetary provision within the HRA Capital Programme of £1.750m, funded as detailed at paragraph 19 of the report, so that the revised total project budget envelope for the Tower Block Refurbishment Scheme is £20.108m.

The Executive Director of  Regeneration and Housing has submitted a report (attached) which details the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan (AAP) and proposes adoption of the plan.

Council is asked to:

1.    note the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan;

2.    adopt the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan; and

3.    endorse the AAP’s associated documents as part of the AAP adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment).

Council had before it a report setting out the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan and proposing adoption of the plan.

Councillor Hollingsworth thanked officers, in particular Rachel Williams, for their hard work in preparing this plan and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to:

1.    note the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan;

2.    adopt the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan; and

3.    endorse the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan’s associated documents as part of the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment).

The Executive Director of Community Services has submitted a report (attached) which details the progress made on Oxford City Council’s Section 11 (Children Act of 2004) Self-Assessment Action Plan 2014-15 and seeks to approve the Oxford City Council Safeguarding Action Plan for 2015-16.

The report and action plan were submitted to the City Executive Board on 14 May 2015 for approval and the relevant minute (186) is attached later in the agenda.

Council is recommended to:

1.    note the progress and development of the Council’s safeguarding function in 2014-15; and

2.    note the Oxford City Council Safeguarding Action Plan 2015-16 as set out in Appendix 1.

Council had before it a report setting out progress made on Oxford City Council’s Section 11 (Children Act of 2004) Self-Assessment Action Plan 2014-15 and the relevant minute of the City Executive Board.

Council resolved to:

1.    note the progress and development of the Council’s safeguarding function in 2014-15; and

2.    note the Oxford City Council Safeguarding Action Plan 2015-16 as set out in Appendix 1.

The Corporate Lead (HR Policy & Organisational Development) has submitted a report which presents one new and one revised employment policy for approval (attached).

Council is recommended to:

1.    approve the following policies appended to the report with immediate effect:

• Employee Data Monitoring Policy including current list of monitoring tools
• Recruitment and Selection Policy; and

2.    authorise the Corporate Lead (HR Policy & Organisational Development) to amend the policies and procedures from time to time in order to correct any factual or legal errors.

Council had before it a report setting out one new and one revised employment policy for approval.

Council resolved to:

1.    approve the following policies appended to the report with immediate effect:

• Employee Data Monitoring Policy including current list of monitoring tools
• Recruitment and Selection Policy; and

2.    authorise the Corporate Lead (HR Policy & Organisational Development) to amend the policies and procedures from time to time in order to correct any factual or legal errors.

The Monitoring Officer has submitted a report (attached) which recommends changes to the Council’s Constitution relating to changes to arrangements for the dismissal of statutory officers following new statutory provisions set out in the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England)(Amendment) Regulations (“the Regulations”) which came into effect on 11 May 2015.

Council is recommended to:

1.    agree to amend the Terms of Reference of the Disciplinary Committee for chief executive, directors and heads of service as set out in the report;

2.    agree that the Council’s appointed Independent Persons be invited to advise the Disciplinary Committee whenever there is the prospect of dismissal of a statutory officer;

3.    agree the proposed amendments to the Employment Rules in Part 20 of the Constitution; and

4.    delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to make any consequential amendments that are required to be made to the Constitution to fully implement the requirements of the Regulations

Council had before it a report recommending changes to the Council’s Constitution relating to changes to arrangements for the dismissal of statutory officers following new statutory provisions set out in the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England)(Amendment) Regulations (“the Regulations”) which came into effect on 11 May 2015.

Council resolved to:

1.    agree to amend the Terms of Reference of the Disciplinary Committee for chief executive, directors and heads of service as set out in the report;

2.    agree that the Council’s appointed Independent Persons be invited to advise the Disciplinary Committee whenever there is the prospect of dismissal of a statutory officer;

3.    agree the proposed amendments to the Employment Rules in Part 20 of the Constitution; and

4.    delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to make any consequential amendments that are required to be made to the Constitution to fully implement the requirements of the Regulations.

The Head of Business Improvement has submitted a report (attached) which recommends that the contractual arrangements for disciplinary action against the statutory officers are not changed by the new statutory provisions set out in the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England)(Amendment) Regulations (“the Regulations”) which came into effect on 11 May 2015.

Council is recommended to:

1.    agree that contractual arrangements are made in respect of an Independent Person to investigate any allegations of a disciplinary nature against the Statutory Officers; and

2.    delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

Council had before it a report recommending that the contractual arrangements for disciplinary action against the statutory officers are not changed by the new statutory provisions set out in the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England)(Amendment) Regulations (“the Regulations”) which came into effect on 11 May 2015.

Council resolved to:

1.    agree that contractual arrangements are made in respect of an Independent Person to investigate any allegations of a disciplinary nature against the Statutory Officers; and

2.    delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

Urgent item under S 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972*

The reason for urgency is that the marketing of the facility cannot start before fees and charges are set and the marketing needs to start before the next ordinary meeting of Council in September. Before this can be discussed, the Lord Mayor must state whether he considers the item should be taken at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

The Head of Community Services has submitted a report (attached to the supplement) which asks Council to agree the process for setting the fees and charges for Rose Hill Community Centre.

Council is recommended to delegate the setting of fees and charges for

Rose Hill Community Centre to the Executive Director of Community Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities.

*Local Government Act 1972 (section inserted by Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 )

100B Access to agenda and connected reports.

(1)Copies of the agenda for a meeting of a principal council and…. copies of any report for the meeting shall be open to inspection by members of the public at the offices of the council in accordance with subsection (3) below. .

 (3)Any document which is required by subsection (1) above to be open to inspection shall be so open at least five clear days before the meeting, except that— .

…………

(b)where an item is added to an agenda copies of which are open to inspection by the public, copies of the item (or of the revised agenda), and the copies of any report for the meeting relating to the item, shall be open to inspection from the time the item is added to the agenda; .

but nothing in this subsection requires copies of any agenda, item or report to be open to inspection by the public until copies are available to members of the council.

(4)An item of business may not be considered at a meeting of a principal council unless either— .

(a)a copy of the agenda including the item (or a copy of the item) is open to inspection by members of the public in pursuance of subsection (1) above for at least [F4five clear days] before the meeting or, where the meeting is convened at shorter notice, from the time the meeting is convened; or .

(b)by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the minutes, the chairman of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

The Lord Mayor stated that he certified this item to be considered as urgent business at this meeting under the provisions of S100 (B) of the Local Government Act 1972 because this decision must be taken before bookings can be made to allow the new community centre to be used from its opening.

Council had before it a report, submitted as urgent business in accordance with S100B (4) (b) Local Government Act 1972 (as inserted by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985), recommending Council to agree the process for setting the fees and charges for Rose Hill Community Centre.

Council resolved to delegate the setting of fees and charges for Rose Hill Community Centre to the Executive Director of Community Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities.

Questions to Board members about the minutes of the Board meetings below.

This item has a time limit of 15 minutes.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2015

2.    Minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2015

3.    Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2015

4.    Minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2015

5.    Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2015

6.    Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2015 (attached to the briefing note)

Council had before it the minutes of six City Executive Board meetings.

On Minute 167, Councillor Fooks asked when the review of the grants process would be complete. Councillor Rowley replied that while no formal resolution was made a review of the effectiveness of this year’s grants would take place before the next round of awards.

On Minute 15, Councillor Fooks asked when the Head of Community Services would be able to respond. Councillor Rowley replied this would be in due course.

On Minute 38, Councillor Fooks asked whether tenant satisfaction should have been discussed, and how the risk of non-recruitment of key staff was mitigated. Councillor Turner referred to that minute, and to the motion on key worker housing to be debated later.

On Minute 41, Councillor Gant asked the Board member to comment on North Oxfordshire Association’s wish to remain in their building and confirm discussions were on-going. Councillor Hollingsworth responded that final decisions depended on a number of factors and had not been taken.

Questions on notice received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.9(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 13 July.

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

Questions were asked of the Board members and Deputy Leader and responses given in writing and at the meeting.

Board Member for Customer Services and Corporate Services

1.    From Councillor Fooks to Councillor Brown

As the performance of the Council lies very largely in the hands of its staff, whose wellbeing is thus of great importance, can you assure Council that the working conditions in St Aldate’s chambers are as good as they should be?

Written Response:

Councillor Fooks will be aware that St Aldates Chambers underwent a significant modernisation programme four years ago which radically improved the working environment. This has allowed for more modern working practices including hot-desking and home working but also increased the number and quality of toilets and kitchen facilities. More recently security arrangements have been improved. All staff, including the chief executive and directors, benefit from working in an open plan office with access to shared meeting rooms.

In the recent hot weather staff have benefitted from the passive ventilation system (a greener and less expensive alternative to air conditioning), and the chilled water on tap in every kitchen.

The Facilities Management Helpdesk enables staff to log any concerns with the environment or facilities on a day to day basis, and an office champions’ group made up of at least one member of staff from each service area meets quarterly to address feedback and any concerns such as storage, health and safety, maintenance and housekeeping.  Actions are logged and progress reported back to staff.

64% of staff scored the office environment as “Excellent” or “Good” in the latest survey in May 2015, a further 25% said it was “Satisfactory”.

The City Council has a comprehensive Wellbeing Programme in place for all staff which includes: an employee assistance scheme offering help and advice covering a range of topics; discounted membership for various leisure facilities; health and wellbeing practice groups and workshops and free health checks.

2.    From Councillor Fooks to Councillor Brown

The Council has rightly been promoting exercise to help staff be healthy. Do you think that this has been furthered by the decision to increase the cost to staff of a Slice card from £37 a year to £30 a month?

Written Response:

Councillor Fooks is wrong in every detail in her question. There has been no change to the cost of the slice card in 2015/16.  The Medium Term Financial Plan agreed by Council in February included a proposal to increase the cost to £20 per month from April 2016 to bring the subsidy in line with the cost to staff of utilising facilities negotiated with LA Fitness in the City Centre.  The proposal will be reviewed in the autumn as part of the Council’s medium term financial plan refresh process.

The slice card is just one of a number of measures the Council has put in place to promote health and wellbeing.

Supplementary question:

When will a decision be made?

Response:

Later in the year.

Board member for Climate Change and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Board member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.10 and 11.11.

The full text of any address or question must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by 5.00 pm on 14 July.

Full details of addresses submitted by the deadline will be provided in the briefing note. Full details of questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available, will be provided in the briefing note.

Rob Whitty addressed Council. The text of his address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

Councillor Hollingsworth, the Planning Transport and Regulatory Services portfolio holder, responded. He referred to his response to Question 14 in Minute 27 and assured the speaker that he would work with the highways authority and City Council colleagues to seek a solution.

Howard Crapper addressed Council. The text of his address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

Mr Artwell addressed Council. On a point of order, Council requested that he moderate his address and not to make personal attacks on officers as these were out of order. A summary of his address as submitted is attached in the supplement to the agenda and his moderated address is available in the video recording.

Councillor Simm, the Culture and Communities portfolio holder, responded. She drew attention to the written response to Mr Artwell’s question and explained the work of the reference group of councillors and officers, centre trustees, users, and local people in securing the centre’s future. Councillor Clarkson and Councillor Simmons also responded briefly to points raised.

Sietske Boeles addressed Council. The text of her address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

Councillor Hollingsworth responded. He said the address created a false dichotomy, and that had there been ongoing revisions to the Green Belt in the past the current problems faced by the city and pressure on the Green Belt would have been reduced.

Mr Artwell asked his question of the Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Simm drew attention to the written response.

Rosemary Harris asked her question of the Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Hollingsworth responded and said that further to the written response he could confirm that Network Rail had accepted the typographical error, noted it had no effect and was content the intent was clear.

The Lord Mayor thanked the speakers.

Peter Hulley submitted an address but was unable to attend to make this. The text of his proposed address is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

Four further questions were submitted but the questioners did not ask these at the meeting.

The text of the questions and written responses supplied before the meeting is attached in the supplement to the agenda.

1.    Each ordinary meeting of Council shall receive a written report concerning the work of one of the partnerships on which the Council is represented.

On behalf of Councillor Pricethe OSP Manager and Principal Economic Development Officer has submitted a report on the work of The Oxford Strategic Partnership.

Council is invited to comment on and note the submitted report.

2.    The programme of reporting at future meetings will be:

September 2015: Oxfordshire Health Improvement Board

December 2015: Report on Oxfordshire Partnerships

February 2016: Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

April 2016: Oxfordshire Growth Board

July 2016: Community Safety

September 2016: Environmental and Waste

3.    Members who are Council representatives on external bodies or Chairs of Council Committees who consider that a significant decision or event has taken place, will give notice to the Head of Law and Governance by 1.00 pm on 16 July that they wish present a written or oral report on the event or the significant decision and how it may influence future events.

The Lord Mayor proposed and Council agreed to suspend procedures and allow Councillor Sinclair to report on the meeting of the Police and Crime Panel on 17 July 2015.

Councillor Sinclair referred councillors to selected reports to the panel (circulated with the minutes) and outlined the pressures on police budgets resulting from the Government’s budget. She encouraged councillors to attend their local NAG meeting and read the reports.

Council had before it the report of the Leader of the Council outlining the work of the Oxfordshire Strategic Partnership.

Councillor Tanner moved the report and asked for Council’s support in writing to local members of parliament to express concern about the direction the Government was taking on climate change.

Council noted Councillor Sinclair’s update, the report, and Councillor Tanner’s proposal without comment.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee has submitted a report which updates Council on the activities of scrutiny and other non-executive Councillors since the last meeting of Council.

Council is invited to comment on and note the report.

Council had before it the report of the Scrutiny Committee Chair.

Councillor Simmons moved the report.

Council noted the report without comment.

Motions received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.16.

The full text of motions received by the Head of Law and Governance by the deadline of 1.00pm on 8 July, and as amended by the proposer, is attached to this agenda.

Substantive amendments to these motions must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 1.00pm on 16 July.

Full details of motions submitted by the deadline are attached and the briefing note will contain any substantive amendments submitted before its publication.

1.    Provision of key worker housing (proposed by Cllr Wade seconded by Cllr Gotch)

Liberal Democrat member motion

This Council welcomes the progress of the Barton Park development but notes that there is no provision for key worker housing on this estate.

This Council believes that key workers are vital to the continuing success of this City, and in particular consider that the lack of key worker housing for teaching professionals has contributed to the poor results in City schools.

This Council asks the Executive Board to request a report from officers (a) suggesting the categories of workers who should be eligible for key worker housing, and (b) recommending how quality housing should be provided specifically for key workers in our City.

2.    Government austerity cuts (proposed by Cllr Hollick seconded by Cllr Thomas)

Green member motion

This Council is deeply concerned at the benefit, and other funding, cuts announced by the Government on 8th July and the likely hardship that this will cause to the residents of Oxford, in particular those in housing need.

We therefore ask CEB to look carefully at this year’s £4m underspend with a view to formulating a mid-year ‘emergency budget’ aimed at mitigating the impact of these cuts on the most vulnerable.

We also ask the Leader to write to the Ministers responsible expressing our serious concern at the austerity cuts and their effect on Local Government and the City’s most vulnerable people.

3.    Encouraging collaboration for action on cancer (proposed by Cllr Coulter)

Labour member motion

Oxford City Council congratulates each of the organisations meeting together at Oxford Town Hall on 4 February to mark "World Cancer Day". Council thanks each of those organisations for providing advocacy, for highlighting the suffering caused by cancer, and for providing hope through the development of innovative treatments and supportive care - all of which is centred on improving outcomes for patients, their families and their carers.

Each year, 8.2 million die worldwide from cancer. Four million die prematurely. And, one out of every two of us will experience painful illness through cancer.

Oxford has a significant role in medical science and in cancer research, with 450 post-doctoral researchers working on cancer related investigations - bringing £22 million to our local economy and with the likelihood such work will expand, for example, with the Churchill Hospital's recognition as a lead centre  ...  view the full agenda text for item 31.

Council had before it seven motions on notice and amendments submitted in accordance with Council procedure rule 11.17, and reached decisions as set out below.

1.   Provision of key worker housing

Councillor Wade proposed her submitted motion, seconded by Councillor Gotch.

This Council welcomes the progress of the Barton Park development but notes that there is no provision for key worker housing on this estate.

This Council believes that key workers are vital to the continuing success of this City, and in particular consider that the lack of key worker housing for teaching professionals has contributed to the poor results in City schools.

This Council asks the Executive Board to request a report from officers (a) suggesting the categories of workers who should be eligible for key worker housing, and (b) recommending how quality housing should be provided specifically for key workers in our City.

Councillor Wade accepted a minor amendment proposed by Councillor Hollingsworth and circulated at the meeting:

‘to amend the last sentence to read This Council notes that the Executive Board has already requested a report from officers (a)……’ and this was accepted by Council.

Councillor Hollick proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Turner: to add to end of motion “without impacting on the level of social housing provision.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

On being put to the vote, the motion as amended was declared carried.

Council agreed to adopt the motion as set out below:

This Council welcomes the progress of the Barton Park development but notes that there is no provision for key worker housing on this estate.

This Council believes that key workers are vital to the continuing success of this City, and in particular consider that the lack of key worker housing for teaching professionals has contributed to the poor results in City schools.

This Council notes that the Executive Board has already requested a report from officers (a) suggesting the categories of workers who should be eligible for key worker housing, and (b) recommending how quality housing should be provided specifically for key workers in our City without impacting on the level of social housing provision.

2.   Government austerity cuts

Councillor Hollick proposed his submitted motion, seconded by Councillor Thomas.

This Council is deeply concerned at the benefit, and other funding, cuts announced by the Government on 8th July and the likely hardship that this will cause to the residents of Oxford, in particular those in housing need.

We therefore ask CEB to look carefully at this year’s £4m underspend with a view to formulating a mid-year ‘emergency budget’ aimed at mitigating the impact of these cuts on the most vulnerable.

We also ask the Leader to write to the Ministers responsible expressing our serious concern at the austerity cuts and their effect on Local Government and the City’s most vulnerable people.

Councillor Turner proposed and Councillor Fooks seconded an amendment: to delete the middle paragraph and replace with

We therefore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

If Council wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any aspects of the preceding agenda items it will be necessary for Council to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 specifying the grounds on which their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(The Access to Information Procedure Rules – Section 15 of the Council’s Constitution – sets out the conditions under which the public can be excluded from meetings of the Council)

None.