There were no declarations.

Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 20 July 2017 and the special meeting held on 22 August 2017.

Council is asked to approve the minutes as a correct record.

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the meetings of 20 July (with a change to Minute 20 to delete Cllt Altaf Khan’s name and replace with ‘ Cllr Altaf Khan did not have to leave as he did not have a current disclosable pecuniary interest to declare but chose to do so in response to a query from Cllr Hayes.’) and 22 August as a correct record and that the Lord Mayor should sign these as such.

No changes have been notified: any changes proposed after publication of the agenda will be circulated with the briefing note.

There were no appointments to Committees.

Announcements by:

1.    The Lord Mayor

2.    The Sheriff

3.    The Leader of the Council (who may with the permission of the Lord Mayor invite other councillors to make announcements)

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

The Lord Mayor announced:

·         Visit to Bonn and celebration of 70^th anniversary of the twinning link

·         Surprise visit from the King of a part of Nigeria to Oxford and Somerville College.

·         A successful St Giles Fair

·         HRH Duke of Cambridge spoke at the National Police Chiefs’ Council mental health and policing conference in September.

·         At the APSE conference the Street Cleansing and Streetscene team won the ‘best service team of the year’ award.

·         An upcoming event in Oxford to collect memories and thoughts for a book for World Mental Health Day 10 October.

The Lord Mayor announced that this was Rev Robert Wilkes’ last Council meeting would attend. She thanked him for his service to the city and the church as City Rector since 2009, and wished him well in his retirement.

She also announced the retirement of Pat Jones, Committee and Member Services Manager at the end of October and wished her well.

The Sheriff announced:

·         He had attended a dinner in support of the air ambulance service: they will shortly be taking delivery of a new helicopter

·         He had attended the AGM of the National association of town and city sheriffs– in 2018 this will be in Oxford

·         The annual Port Meadow cattle round up had taken place and, despite the interventions of wild geese, the councillors and Freemen did check and count all the cows.

The Leader announced:

• His thanks to Doug Loveridge, Streetscene Services Manager, who was instrumental in helping his team win the APSE award.

·         As of 2 October he has appointed Councillor Susan Brown as statutory deputy leader of Council and Councillor Ed Turner to the non-statutory deputy role.

·         All councillors were invited to the opening of the Leiden square at the new Westgate centre.

·          

With the permission of the Lord Mayor, Councillor Brown made a statement about Universal Credit. This would be going ahead in Oxford from 18 October. The Council was mindful of the serious difficulties the all-online processing and the inbuilt delays in payments created for people moving onto the benefit. The City Council was able to provide some help and advice for people moving onto this benefit and would advise anyone who may be affected to be sure that they were prepared.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Board member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 11.11, 11.12, and 11.13 relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address or question must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by 5.00pm on Tuesday 26 September.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses and questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 45 minutes is available for both public speaking items. Responses are included in this time. Up to five minutes is available for each public address and up to three minutes for each question.

There were no public speakers in this section.

The Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Regeneration & Economy submitted a report to the City Executive Board on 19 September in part to seek approval for an increased budget requirement of £4,635,000 in addition to the existing approved budget of £10,300,000 to include the undertaking of additional projects.

The report is attached to this agenda: appendices are available with the City Executive Board agenda.

The City Executive Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report and in the minutes of the meeting attached later in this agenda.

Councillor Turner, Board Member for Finance, Asset Management, will move the recommendations.

Recommendation: The City Executive Board recommends Council to

approve an increase of £4,635,000 to the allocated budget of £10,300,000 to deliver the development opportunities at 1-5 George Street, Standingford House, Cave Street and add the new project of refurbishing 2 flats at 11 New Road and houses at 9 and 10 Ship Street.

Council considered a report from theInterim Assistant Chief Executive – Regeneration and Economy seeking approval for an increased budget requirement of £4,635,000 in addition to the existing approved budget of £10,300,000 to include the undertaking of additional projects (previously submitted to the City Executive Board meeting on 19 September 2017).

Councillor Price, Leader of the Council, presented the report and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to approve an increase of £4,635,000 to the allocated budget of £10,300,000 to deliver the development opportunities at 1-5 George Street, Standingford House, Cave Street and add the new project of refurbishing 2 flats at 11 New Road and houses at 9 and 10 Ship Street.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to the City Executive Board on 19 September recommending that Council be asked to make suitable budgetary provision for the Housing Revenue Account to acquire 10 flats due to be purchased by the General Fund at Great Western Park, Didcot in September 2017 for use as social housing.

The City Executive Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report and in the minutes of the meeting attached later in this agenda.

Councillor Rowley, Board Member for Housing, will move the recommendations.

Recommendation: The City Executive Board recommends Council to

approve the introduction of an additional 2017/18 HRA capital budget, namely £2.362m, funded by HRA borrowing for “Property Acquisitions”, in order to transfer 10 units from the General Fund into the HRA.

Council considered a report from theHead of Housing Services asking for suitable budgetary provision for the Housing Revenue Account to acquire 10 flats due to be purchased by the General Fund at Great Western Park, Didcot in September 2017 for use as social housing (previously submitted to the City Executive Board meeting on 19 September 2017).

Councillor Rowley, Board Member for Housing, presented the report and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to approve the introduction of an additional 2017/18 HRA capital budget, namely £2.362m, funded by HRA borrowing for “Property Acquisitions”, in order to transfer 10 units from the General Fund into the HRA.

The Head of Direct Services submitted a report to the City Executive Board on 19 September seeking to align the Oxpens Car Park tariff with that of the Westgate Shopping centre.

The Constitution states that as this affects the 2017/18 fees and charges agreed by Council, Council’s approval is required for this change.

The City Executive Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report and in the minutes of the meeting attached later in this agenda.

Councillor Hollingsworth, Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, will move the recommendations.

Recommendation: The City Executive Board recommends Council to

1.    align Oxpens parking tariff with the Westgate car park and amend the agreed fees and charges schedule accordingly.  

2.    note that the financial implication of adopting this recommendation is expected to be cost neutral.

Councillor Ladbrooke arrived at the start of this item.

Council considered a report from the Head of Direct Services seeking to align the Oxpens Car Park tariff with that of the Westgate Shopping centre (previously submitted to the City Executive Board meeting on 19 September 2017).

Councillor Hollingsworth, Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, presented the report and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to

1.    align Oxpens parking tariff with the Westgate car park and amend the agreed fees and charges schedule accordingly.  

2.    note that the financial implication of adopting this recommendation is expected to be cost neutral.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a report on the progress of Cherwell District Council towards helping to meet Oxford unmet housing needs and asking Council to confirm the City Council response to the public consultation held by Cherwell District Council on its Partial Review of Cherwell Local Plan 2011 - 2031 relating to Oxford's Unmet Housing Need.

Councillor Hollingsworth, Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services will move the recommendations.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    acknowledge the positive work by Cherwell District Council in helping to meet Oxford’s unmet housing need through the Partial Review of its Local Plan including identifying additional urban extension sites.

2.    authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services to submit a detailed response to the consultation on behalf of the City Council in consultation with the Executive Board Member.

Council considered a report from the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services asking Council to confirm the City Council response to the public consultation held by Cherwell District Council on its Partial Review of Cherwell Local Plan 2011 - 2031 relating to Oxford's Unmet Housing Need.

Councillor Hollingsworth, Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, presented the report and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to:

1.    acknowledge the positive work by Cherwell District Council in helping to meet Oxford’s unmet housing need through the Partial Review of its Local Plan including identifying additional urban extension sites.

2.    authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services to submit a detailed response to the consultation on behalf of the City Council in consultation with the Executive Board Member.

The Acting Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report asking Council to designate the role of Monitoring Officer and to appoint a Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

Councillor Price, the Leader of the Council will move the recommendations.

Recommendations: That Council resolves to

1.    designate the newly appointed Head of Law and Governance, Anita Bradley, as the Council’s Monitoring Officer from the date she becomes an employee of the Council in that post.

2.    appoint the new Head of Law and Governance, Anita Bradley as the Council’s Returning Officer and as the Council’s Electoral Registration Officer from the date she becomes an employee of the Council in that post.

Council considered a report from the Acting Head of Law and Governance asking Council to designate the role of Monitoring Officer and to appoint a Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

Councillor Price, Leader of the Council, presented the report and moved the recommendations.

Council resolved to

1.    designate the newly appointed Head of Law and Governance, Anita Bradley, as the Council’s Monitoring Officer from the date she becomes an employee of the Council in that post.

2.    appoint the new Head of Law and Governance, Anita Bradley as the Council’s Returning Officer and as the Council’s Electoral Registration Officer from the date she becomes an employee of the Council in that post.

This item has a time limit of 15 minutes.

Councillors may ask the Board Members questions about matters in these minutes:

Questions asked of the Board Members on these minutes and their responses are listed below.

Minute 41: Councillor Simmons asked for and received confirmation that the proposed fast chargers would deliver a full charge in 30-40 minutes.

Minute 54: Councillor Wilkinson asked if CEB took into consideration that no other LA has found it appropriate to delegate a representative to that group and that all other attendees funded subsistence and travel themselves.

Councillor Price confirmed that that was not considered.

Minute 67: Councillor Thomas asked when the proposed conference of stakeholders in recommendation 4 would be organised.

Councillor Rowley said this would be organised as part of the consultation on the housing strategy.

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

Questions on notice may be asked of the Lord Mayor, a Member of the City Executive Board or a Chair of a Committee. One supplementary question may be asked at the meeting.

The full text of questions must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 1.00pm on Monday 25 September.

The briefing note will contain all questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

37 written questions on notice were submitted. These, written responses, and 19 supplementary questions and responses are set out in the supplement to these minutes.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Board member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.11, 11.12 and 11.13 and not related to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address or question must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by 5.00pm on Tuesday 26 September.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses and questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 45 minutes is available for both public speaking items. Responses are included in this time. Up to five minutes is available for each public address and up to three minutes for each question.

Four speakers addressed Council.

1.    Liz Sawyer spoke about her concerns over the proposed extension at Seacourt Park and Ride.

2.    Judith Harley addressed Council asking for the compulsory purchase of William Morris Sports Ground for leisure use.

3.    Artwell addressed Council about the need for improved community facilities in Barton

4.    Stefan Piechnik read a statement on behalf of James Lawson about the impact of the tower block refurbishment on Mr Lawson’s well-being.

Two speakers asked questions of the relevant Board member:

5.    Artwell asked about the Barton regeneration project and community facilities.

6.    Judith Harley asked about the applications of Local Plan policy SR2 and Councillor Hollingsworth responded.

The full text of these speeches and question; responses from the Board Members in writing before the meeting; and summaries of verbal responses given at the meeting are in the supplement to these minutes.

This item has a 15 minute time limit in total.

The head petitioner will speak to Council for a maximum of 5 minutes at the start of this item.

Council is asked to consider a petition meeting the criteria for debate under the Council’s petitions scheme in line with the procedure for large petitions.

The full text of the petition is contained in the accompanying report of the Acting Head of Law and Governance.

The petition proposes:

Homeless people sleeping rough in Oxford have been issued with threats of fines of up to £2,500 just for having their sleeping bags and possessions in shop doorways. ………..

The council must withdraw these threats of fines, and stop issuing them to homeless people now.

This is the petition motion.

If a Councillor wishes to put a substantive motion/recommendation on a petition that differs from the proposal in the petition then they must submit this by 10.00am on the working day before the full Council meeting. These are then published in the Council briefing note. Any amendments to these must be submitted by 11.00am on the day of the meeting.

Council is recommended to:

·         hear the head petitioner for the petition;

·         debate the proposal to the Council contained within the petition (above) and/ or;

·         debate any motions submitted by councillors; and

·         decide the action it wishes to take.

Councillor Turner arrived during this item.

Council considered a petition meeting the criteria for debate under the Council’s petitions scheme in line with the procedure for large petitions stating Homeless people sleeping rough in Oxford have been issued with threats of fines of up to £2,500 just for having their sleeping bags and possessions in shop doorways. ……….. The council must withdraw these threats of fines, and stop issuing them to homeless people now.

At the start of this agenda item the Lord Mayor asked for and Council agreed to an extension of time for debate to 30 minutes.

In response to the petition, Council considered a motion proposed by Councillor Gant and seconded by Councillor Thomas (subsequently amended by the proposer) and an amendment to this proposed by Councillor Hayes and seconded by Councillor Rowley.

Councillor Thomas thanked the petitioner for organising the petition and requesting the debate.

Councillor Hayes commended the officers working with homeless people and on the streets and thanked them for their professionalism. He explained the current process for issuing these Community Protection Notices.

Councillors briefly debated the work undertaken with the street homeless and rough sleepers, and the issues around balancing the needs of this community and the wider public and business community in the city.

After debate, and on being put to the vote, Councillor Hayes’ amendment was declared carried.

After debate, and on being put to the vote, the motion as amended was declared carried.

 Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

1.    This Council believes that all Oxford residents, whether living in houses, in hostels or on our streets, have the right to be treated with dignity and without discrimination.

2.    Council notes the good work done by Council officers and voluntary organisations to support homeless residents in this city

3.    Council takes note of the Petition signed by more than 1,800 people, calling for the reopening of Lucy Faithfull House and accepts that the Petition shows a powerful concern by Oxford citizens for community cohesion and for a better way of life for those on our streets.

4.    Community Protection Notices (CPNs) are used to address unreasonable behaviour that is detrimental and persistent. Fire hazards in a central Oxford street with a high footfall are detrimental to everyone working in the building and people in the vicinity if there was an incident. In the case referred to in the petition, Council welcomes the judgement of officers that the fire safety of people working within the building should take precedence.”

5.    Council acknowledges that all enforcement decisions are taken on a case by case basis, in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy which place a requirement on council officers to resolve cases using the lowest possible intervention suitable to circumstances of the case. Contrary to recent publicity, only the court can fine a person for breaching a CPN. This Council is not taking anyone to court.

This Council recognises there may indeed be circumstances where issuing a CPN is necessary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

1.    On behalf of Councillor Tanner, Board member for a Clean and Green Oxford, the Environmental Sustainability Manager has submitted a report on the Oxfordshire Environment Partnership.

Councillor Tanner will present the report.

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

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

The programme of reporting at future meetings will be:

3.    As set out in procedure rule 11.15, Members who are Council representatives on external bodies or Chairs of Council Committees who consider that a significant decision or event has taken place, may give notice to the Head of Law and Governance by 1.00 pm on Thursday 28 September that they will present a written or oral report on the event or the significant decision and how it may influence future events. Written reports will be circulated with the briefing note.

Council had before it a report from the Environmental Sustainability Manager setting out the work of the Oxfordshire Environment Partnership, submitted on behalf of the Board Member for a Clean and Green Oxford.

Councillor Price moved the report in Councillor Tanner’s absence.

Council noted the report without comment.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee has submitted the annual report which updates Council on the activities of the scrutiny committees and panels in the 2016/17 municipal year.

Councillor Gant, the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, will present the report.

Council is invited to comment on and note the report.

Council had before it the Annual Report of the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Gant moved the report and thanked the Scrutiny Officer and the committee services staff who supported the committee. Councillor Simmons thanked Councillor Gant for his chairing of the committee and members for their contributions.

Council resolved to note the report without comment.

This item has a time limit of 60 minutes.

The full text of motions received by the Head of Law and Governance in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.17 by the deadline of 1.00pm on Wednesday 20 September 2017 is below. Motions will be taken in turn from the Labour and Liberal Democrat and Green groups in that order, with any cross-party motions first.

Substantive amendments to these motions must be sent by councillors to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 10.00am on Friday 29 September 2017 so that they may be circulated with the briefing note.

Minor technical or limited wording amendments may be submitted during the meeting but must be written down and circulated.

Council is asked to consider the following motions:

a)    Removal of Freedom of the City from Aung San Suu Kyi

b)    Against modern slavery

c)    Benefits of EU membership

d)    Promoting Cycling Safety in Oxford

e)    Fair treatment of homeless people moved to item 15

Note: if Motion (a) is agreed a special meeting of Council will be called to allow Councillors to formally implement the decision.

Council had before it four motions on notice and amendments submitted in accordance with Council procedure rule 11.17 and published with the agenda and briefing note, and reached decisions as set out below.

Council adopted motions as set out in these minutes:

a.    Removal of Freedom of the City from Aung San Suu Kyi.

b.    Against modern slavery.

c.    Benefits of EU membership.

d.    Promoting Cycling Safety in Oxford.

Proposed by Councillor Clarkson, seconded by Councillor Gant, seconded also by Councillor Thomas

Cross party motion

This Council believes the residents of Oxford are deeply concerned about the dreadful attacks on the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) and the flight of refugees into Bangladesh. The City Council has written to Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar, to ask her to speak out and to do whatever she can to stop the ethnic cleansing in her country.  

It was right to give the Freedom of the City to Aung Suu Kyi in 1997 in recognition of her long struggle for democracy and her personal links to Oxford. However, in the absence of a helpful response from her and with deep regret, Council believes it is no longer appropriate for Aung San Suu Kyi to hold the Freedom of the City.  

Oxford City Council resolves to remove the Freedom of the City of Oxford from Aung San Suu Kyi.

Councillor Clarkson proposed the submitted cross-party motion as set out in the briefing note.

Councillor Altaf-Khan seconded the motion.

Councillor Wolff supported the motion.

Councillors noted that this motion, if agreed, did not take effect and a special Council meeting must be arranged to formally implement this resolution.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried by a unanimous vote in favour.

Council agreed the following motion:

This Council believes the residents of Oxford are deeply concerned about the dreadful attacks on the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) and the flight of refugees into Bangladesh. The City Council has written to Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar, to ask her to speak out and to do whatever she can to stop the ethnic cleansing in her country.  

It was right to give the Freedom of the City to Aung Suu Kyi in 1997 in recognition of her long struggle for democracy and her personal links to Oxford. However, in the absence of a helpful response from her and with deep regret, Council believes it is no longer appropriate for Aung San Suu Kyi to hold the Freedom of the City.  

Oxford City Council resolves to remove the Freedom of the City of Oxford from Aung San Suu Kyi.

Proposed by Councillor Hayes

Labour member motion

Imagine you lost everything. Would 45 days be long enough to get your life back on track?

It takes victims of modern slavery longer than 45 days to start putting their lives back together, having gone through the most horrific things that anyone can experience in their lifetimes. The Government spends millions of pounds each year to find victims and provide them with shelter and safety for their first 45 days of recovery in England and Wales. However, the Government then formally ends all crucial support on Day 46.

Vulnerable people can be abruptly ejected from safe houses exactly at the point of being formally recognised as victims. Victims might be required to make their own way before agencies can put decent pathways to secure housing and support in place. People can slip through the net, potentially to be tragically abused and exploited all over again. The modern slavery support system must put the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

This Council and Thames Valley Police believe that the ending of modern-day slavery is a priority focus and work in partnership to that end. Front-line workers do their very best to meet the needs of vulnerable people, but struggle within this system. Shortcomings that are plain to see in the Modern Slavery Act years on from its introduction desperately need correcting.

This Council calls on the Prime Minister to increase support for victims of modern slavery from 45 days to one year.  This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Oxford’s two MPs with the request to back a decent pathway for recovery for victims based on the following:

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales be given a year’s leave to remain, following 45 days of reflection and recovery as called for by the Co-operative Party in its latest campaign.

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales should not be required to leave safe house accommodation until a plan for their ongoing support has been implemented.

— all confirmed victims of modern slavery remaining in England and Wales should be supported into work, housing, and education.

Modern-day slavery is one of the greatest human rights issues of our time. It’s a problem that’s getting worse and urgently needs tackling.

Last year in the UK 3,805 vulnerable people were identified as potentially trafficked—an increase of 17%. 700 to 900 Modern Slavery victims are in the Thames Valley Police Area, making up 7% of the UK estimate, according to latest estimates. A total of160 modern slavery victim identification checks have been completed, according to a service funded by the Office of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.

This figure will be the tip of the iceberg. Victims are hiding in plain sight.

On 18 October, the country will mark Anti-Slavery Day 2017.

This motion reflects this council’s recognition of the importance of raising awareness of modern slavery and putting Britain at the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 50b

Councillor Hayes proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note.  He drew councillors’ attention to Thames Valley Police’s ‘Hidden Harm’ campaign to tackle abuse with a focus on modern slavery.

Councillor Tidball seconded the motion.

During the debate, Councillor Wade said she would like to see the scope of this motion extended to treat people fleeing domestic violence and slavery equally, to provide safe houses for those in urgent need of support, and to offset this by offering support for up to a year where no other support is available.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the amended motion was declared carried.

Council agreed the following motion:

Imagine you lost everything. Would 45 days be long enough to get your life back on track?

It takes victims of modern slavery longer than 45 days to start putting their lives back together, having gone through the most horrific things that anyone can experience in their lifetimes. The Government spends millions of pounds each year to find victims and provide them with shelter and safety for their first 45 days of recovery in England and Wales. However, the Government then formally ends all crucial support on Day 46.

Vulnerable people can be abruptly ejected from safe houses exactly at the point of being formally recognised as victims. Victims might be required to make their own way before agencies can put decent pathways to secure housing and support in place. People can slip through the net, potentially to be tragically abused and exploited all over again. The modern slavery support system must put the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

This Council and Thames Valley Police believe that the ending of modern-day slavery is a priority focus and work in partnership to that end. Front-line workers do their very best to meet the needs of vulnerable people, but struggle within this system. Shortcomings that are plain to see in the Modern Slavery Act years on from its introduction desperately need correcting.

This Council calls on the Prime Minister to increase support for victims of modern slavery from 45 days to one year.  This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Oxford’s two MPs with the request to back a decent pathway for recovery for victims based on the following:

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales be given a year’s leave to remain, following 45 days of reflection and recovery as called for by the Co-operative Party in its latest campaign.

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales should not be required to leave safe house accommodation until a plan for their ongoing support has been implemented.

— all confirmed victims of modern slavery remaining in England and Wales should be supported into work, housing, and education.

Modern-day slavery is one of the greatest human rights issues of our time. It’s a problem that’s getting worse and urgently needs tackling.

Last year in the UK 3,805  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50b

Proposed by Councillor Gant

Liberal Democrat member motion

Council notes that:

·           On 18 April 2016 this council voted almost unanimously to affirm its commitment to the benefits of membership of the EU. Among many other benefits to the people of Oxford, Council specifically identified membership of the single market. Council asked the Leader to write to Oxford’s MPs setting out its views.

·           On 1 February 2017 the House of Commons voted to give the Prime Minister the authority to trigger Article 50. However, despite the fact that the Bill made no attempt to safeguard the benefits identified by this Council by bringing the eventual deal back to parliament or the country, both of Oxford’s then MPs, Nicola Blackwood and Rt Hon Andrew Smith, voted with the government. (Among those voting against were Liberal Democrat and Green MPs and the Labour MP for Cambridge, which faces many of the same issues from Brexit as Oxford).

·           On 29 June 2017 the House of Commons debated an amendment to the Queen’s Speech guaranteeing UK membership of the single market after Brexit, clearly reflecting the views of this council in its motion of April 2016, that leaving the single market and ending freedom of movement would be particularly harmful to thousands of citizens of EU27 states living, studying, and working in Oxford, to their family members, and indeed to the community at large.  Anneliese Dodds MP voted against the amendment. Layla Moran MP voted for the amendment.

Council therefore:

·         asks the Leader of the council to publish to members the correspondence with MPs resulting from the motion of 18 April 2016, including their replies;

·         reaffirms its wholehearted commitment to the spirit and letter of its motion of 18 April 2016, bearing in mind the changed context since the referendum;

·         asks the Leader to write to Oxford’s MPs repeating the views of this Council, reminding them of the strong “Remain” vote in Oxford, and asking them to commit publicly to argue for continued access to the benefits and freedoms of the EU for the people of Oxford as far as possible at every stage of the withdrawal process, and vote accordingly.   

Councillor Gant proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note, and drew attention to a change to correct an inaccuracy.  

Councillor Goddard seconded the motion.

Councillor Hollingsworth said he would have preferred to remove the second and third paragraphs of the preamble as he considered these unhelpful, but was prepared to support the remainder of the motion. Councillor Price reminded councillors that their influence in this national area was limited.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the corrected motion was declared carried.

Council agreed the following motion:

Council notes that:

·           On 18 April 2016 this council voted almost unanimously to affirm its commitment to the benefits of membership of the EU. Among many other benefits to the people of Oxford, Council specifically identified membership of the single market. Council asked the Leader to write to Oxford’s MPs setting out its views.

·           On 1 February 2017 the House of Commons voted to give the Prime Minister the authority to trigger Article 50. However, despite the fact that the Bill made no attempt to safeguard the benefits identified by this Council by bringing the eventual deal back to parliament or the country, both of Oxford’s then MPs, Nicola Blackwood and Rt Hon Andrew Smith, voted with the government. (Among those voting against were Liberal Democrat and Green MPs and the Labour MP for Cambridge, which faces many of the same issues from Brexit as Oxford).

·           On 29 June 2017 the House of Commons debated an amendment to the Queen’s Speech guaranteeing UK membership of the single market after Brexit, clearly reflecting the views of this council in its motion of April 2016, that leaving the single market and ending freedom of movement would be particularly harmful to thousands of citizens of EU27 states living, studying, and working in Oxford, to their family members, and indeed to the community at large.  Anneliese Dodds MP abstained on the amendment. Layla Moran MP voted for the amendment.

Council therefore:

·         asks the Leader of the council to publish to members the correspondence with MPs resulting from the motion of 18 April 2016, including their replies;

·         reaffirms its wholehearted commitment to the spirit and letter of its motion of 18 April 2016, bearing in mind the changed context since the referendum;

asks the Leader to write to Oxford’s MPs repeating the views of this Council, reminding them of the strong “Remain” vote in Oxford, and asking them to commit publicly to argue for continued access to the benefits and freedoms of the EU for the people of Oxford as far as possible at every stage of the withdrawal process, and vote accordingly.

Proposed by Councillor Wolff, seconded by Councillor Upton

Green member motion

Council notes with great sadness of death of cyclist Claudia Comberti on Oxford’s roads earlier this year.

In response to this tragic event, Claudia’s friends, colleagues and local cycling campaign groups have come together to create “The Claudia Charter for Safer Cycling in Oxford”.  The desire of those producing the Charter is to see it adopted by organisations and individuals right across the city, and in so doing help drive forward and focus efforts to significantly improve cycling safety. 

Council recognises and welcomes this initiative.

This motion therefore calls on Council:

a.    to become the Charter's first signatory and to formally adopt the Charter, and

b.    to refer this motion and the Charter to the relevant officers and Scrutiny Committee so that it may inform future policy and action and that delivery against the Charter can be effectively monitored.

The Charter is attached.

Councillor Wolff proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note. 

Councillor Upton seconded the motion.

After debate, and noting that the City Council had limited powers as this area was the responsibility of Oxfordshire County Council, and on being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.

Council agreed the following motion:

Council notes with great sadness of death of cyclist Claudia Comberti on Oxford’s roads earlier this year.

In response to this tragic event, Claudia’s friends, colleagues and local cycling campaign groups have come together to create “The Claudia Charter for Safer Cycling in Oxford”.  The desire of those producing the Charter is to see it adopted by organisations and individuals right across the city, and in so doing help drive forward and focus efforts to significantly improve cycling safety. 

Council recognises and welcomes this initiative.

This motion therefore calls on Council:

a.    to become the Charter's first signatory and to formally adopt the Charter, and

b.    to refer this motion and the Charter to the relevant officers and Scrutiny Committee so that it may inform future policy and action and that delivery against the Charter can be effectively monitored.