There were no declarations of interest made.

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 15 July 2024.

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

Council agreed to approved the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 15 July 2024 as a true and accurate record.

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report which notifies Council of the amendments made to the membership of Committees since the initial appointments made at Council on 16 May 2024.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Agree the appointments to Committees.

Council received a report from the Head of Law and Governance which notified Council of the amendments made to the membership of Committees since the initial appointments made at Council on 16 May 2024.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working introduced the report. 

On being seconded by Councillor Lois Muddiman, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1. Agree the appointments to Committees:

·       Appointments Committee – Councillor Kate Robinson to replace Councillor Chris Jarvis.

·       Standards Committee – Councillor Kate Robinson to replace Councillor Max Morris.

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 noted today was the anniversary of the terrorist attack in Israel one year ago and acknowledged all those who had lost their lives since in Gaza and Lebanon. He announced he had attended a united peace vigin at Bonn Square on 6 October 2024, an event which gave witness to Oxford's desire for peace. He had also attended several events including the celebration of Oxford United promotion during his first week in office, a gathering in Botley with individuals providing free nutritious food across Oxfordshire together with former Cllr Paul Murray and Gary Smith, son of former Cllr Karen Smith. Finally, he expressed his pleasure in receiving a gift from the British section of the non-resident Indian Welfare Society which would remain in the Town Hall to serve as memento for cycling city, twice visited by Muhammad Ghandi.

Deputy Lord Mayor announced he had attended two events in the past two weeks, including a charity event organised by Play2Give to support Oxford Children's Hospital and the annual Nepalese Dashain Celebration bringing to light the city's diverse community.

The Sheriff went to roundup livestock in Port Meadow over a week ago and reported that no cattle tested positive for TB. He thanked Cllr Sandelson for joining. Noted it was a damp affair but that it should be honoured and hoped for a drier event in the next year.  

The Leader of the Council announced that Cllr Mary Clarkson would continue as the Council's Heritage Champion, working with Cllr Louise Upton. Cllr Mark Lygo was appointed as the Council’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion and would work with Cllr Brown on the Oxfordshire Civilian Military Partnership and with Cllr Linda Smith on broader community work.

The Leader of the Council provided a statement on the delay to the Local Plan:

Since we last met, we have heard the devastating news that our Local Plan will have to be delayed. We are alarmed and extremely disappointed by the recommendation to withdraw our Local Plan 2040 from public examination. We are still digesting the information and deciding on next steps.

The planning inspectors have failed to grasp the seriousness of Oxford’s housing crisis and the number of new homes we need to tackle this crisis – and don’t appear to have heeded the clear message from government which requires all councils to up their housing delivery ambitions. 

The logical outcome of the inspectors’ conclusions will be a delay to proactively planning for the homes we need. The reality is that while the City Council are builders, there are others elsewhere who are blockers. Waiting for a situation where all councils in Oxfordshire are agreed on housing numbers and cross-boundary matters is just not realistic. That’s why thankfullly our new government is planning the reintroduction of mandatory housing delivery targets.

Our approach hasn’t changed since our last successful local plan. Yet we are being told that there are no exceptional circumstances and we should now use the current ‘standard method’ - already  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

Up to five minutes is available for each public address and up to three minutes for each question. Questions must be less than 200 words.

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 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 1^st October 2024.

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.

There were no addresses or questions.

The Executive Director for Communities and People has submitted a report to agree the revised draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy following public consultation.

Councillor Katherine Miles, Chair of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, will present the Committee’s report and the recommendations.

Recommendation: The Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee recommend that Council resolve to:

1.    Agree the revised draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy following public consultation.

The Executive Director for Communities and People has submitted a report to agree the revised draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy following public consultation.

Councillor Katherine Miles, Chair of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, introduced the report and proposed the recommendation. She mentioned that the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee had considered and agreed the revised Statement at its meeting on 23 September 2024. The revisions included updates to the Licensing Authority addresses, an amended map of Oxford reflecting new ward names and boundaries, and minor textual changes. She thanked the Licensing Officers for their hard work and for organising the consultation, during which no adverse comments were received.

On being seconded by Councillor Chris Smowton, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1. Agree the revised draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy following public consultation.

This report contains exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. To discuss this item, it will be necessary for the Council to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting (as set out at agenda item 14).

The Chief Executive has submitted a report relating the proposed Senior Management Structure.

Recommendation: Council is asked to approve the recommendations within the report.

Council received a report from the Chief Executive relating the proposed Senior Management Structure.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working introduced the report.

On being seconded by Councillor Chris Smowton, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to approve the recommendations within the report; and

Approve appointment of Nigel Kennedy as the Council’s Section 151 officer and Emma-Louise Jackman as the Council’s Monitoring Officer within the revised management structure.

This item has a time limit of 15 minutes.

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

None.

Cllr Turner joined the meeting.

Questions on notice from councillors received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.11(b).

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

The full text of questions must have been received by the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 1.00pm on Wednesday, 25^th September 2024

These, and written responses where available, will be published in the briefing note.

53 written questions were asked of the Cabinet Members and the Leader, and these and written responses were published before the meeting.

These along with summaries of the 30 supplementary questions and responses asked and given at the meeting are set out in the minutes pack.

The meeting broke for 30min at the conclusion of this item.

This item will be taken at or shortly after 7.00pm

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution and not relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

Up to five minutes is available for each public address and up to three minutes for each question. Questions must be less than 200 words.

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 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 1^st October 2024.

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 within the limit.

Council heard six addresses. Cabinet Members read or summarised their written responses.

Both addresses and responses are set out in full in the minutes pack.

1.               Address from Mr Greg Owen – Spindleberry Nature Reserve

2.               Address from Chaka Artwell – Discrimination against non-internet users

3.               Address from Georgie Steele – Support for Motion 13f (Protection of Carers from Exploitation)

4.               Address from Sushila Dhall, Refugee Resource (deputised by David Waller) – Support for Motion 13b (Keep Campsfield Closed)

5.               Address from Emma Jones, Asylum Welcome – Support for Motion 13b (Keep Campsfield Closed)

6.               Address from Bill MacKeith, CKCC – Support for Motion 13b (Keep Campsfield Closed)

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee has submitted a report which updates Council on the activities of scrutiny and the implementation of recommendations since the last meeting of Council.

Council is invited to comment on and note the report.

Councillor Katherine Miles, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report updating the Council on the Committee's activities between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2024. She thanked Alice Courtney for her work as Scrutiny Officer and welcomed Celeste Reyeslao as the new Scrutiny and Governance Advisor. She advised that the Scrutiny Committee and its Panels submitted 12 recommendations to Cabinet, of which 6 were accepted and 1 agreed in-part, and that the Budget Review Group and its scope for December 2024 to January 2025 had been agreed by the Committee. She gave thanks to Cabinet Members and Officers who engaged with the Committee and its Panels during this period.

Council resolved to note the report.

This item has a time limit of 60 minutes.

Motions received by the Head of Law and Governance in accordance with the rules in Section 11 of the Constitution by the deadline of 1.00pm on Wednesday, 25^th October 2024 are listed below.

Cross party motions are taken first. Motions will then be taken in turn from the Liberal Democrat Group, Green Group, Independent Oxford Alliance, Oxford Community Independent Group, Oxford Independent Group, Real Independent Group, Labour Group in that order.

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, 4^th October 2024so 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)    Winter Fuel Payments (Proposed by Cllr. Chris Smowton, Seconded by Cllr. Lawrence Fouweather) [Amendment Proposed by Cllr. David Henwood, Seconded by Cllr. Ian Yeatman] [Amendment Proposed by Cllr. Simon Ottino, seconded by Anna Railton]

b)    Keep Campsfield Closed (Proposed by Cllr. Alex Powell, Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Hosnieh Djarafi Marbini)

c)    Zero Emission Zone (Proposed by Cllr. David Henwood, Seconded by Cllr. Ian Yeatman)

d)    Winter Fuel Payments (Proposed by Cllr. Ajaz Rehman, Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Amar Latif)

e)    Decent and Genuinely Affordable Housing for All (Proposed by Cllr. Alex Hollingsworth, Seconded by Cllr. Ed Turner)

f)      Protection of Carers from Exploitation (Proposed by Cllr. Jo Sandelson, Seconded by Cllr. Theo Jupp) [Amendment Proposed by Cllr. Linda Smith, Seconded by Cllr. Naomi Waite]

g)    Bus travel for asylum seekers in Oxford (Proposed by Cllr. Alex Powell, Seconded by Cllr. Dianne Regisford)

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

Motions agreed as set out below:

a)    Winter Fuel Payments (Proposed by Cllr Chris Smowton, Seconded by Cllr Lawrence Fouweather) [Amendment Proposed by Cllr David Henwood, Seconded by Cllr Ian Yeatman] [Amendment Proposed by Cllr Simon Ottino, seconded by Cllr Anna Railton]

b)    Keep Campsfield Closed (Proposed by Cllr Alex Powell, Seconded by Cllr Dr Hosnieh Djarafi-Marbini)

Cllrs Pressel and L Smith left the meeting and did not return.

Motions not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished:

a)    Zero Emission Zone (Proposed by Cllr David Henwood, Seconded by Cllr Ian Yeatman)

b)    Winter Fuel Payments (Proposed by Cllr Ajaz Rehman, Seconded by Cllr Dr Amar Latif)

c)     Decent and Genuinely Affordable Housing for All (Proposed by Cllr Alex Hollingsworth, Seconded by Cllr Ed Turner)

d)    Protection of Carers from Exploitation (Proposed by Cllr Jo Sandelson, Seconded by Cllr Theo Jupp)

e)    Bus travel for asylum seekers in Oxford (Proposed by Cllr Alex Powell, Seconded by Cllr Dianne Regisford)

Liberal Democrats Group Motion

Council notes the recent resolution by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits.

Though many agree that universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower incomes will now not receive the payments.

In Oxford the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 15,285. That means 88.9% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.[1][2]

Council believes that a better, and cost-neutral, way to recover the cost of the universal payment would be to levy an appropriately sized tax on pensioners who either receive the highest incomes, have the greatest wealth, or both. This would mean the benefit is in effect withdrawn where there is positive evidence that they have the means to pay, rather than negative evidence drawn from non-registration for Pension Credit or other benefits.

Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them — and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so.[3] Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to.

Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which combined by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

Council resolves to request that the Leader of the Council write to:

·       the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be revised, attaching a copy of this motion, and

both Oxford MPs requesting their support regarding the same.

Councillor Chris Smowton amended his motion. He proposed his amended motion and was seconded by Councillor Lawrence Fouweather.

Councillor David Henwood proposed an amendment to the motion and was seconded by Councillor Ian Yeatman. Following debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment was agreed.

Councillor Simon Ottino proposed an amendment to the motion and was seconded by Councillor Anna Railton. Following debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Council debated the amended motion.

On being put to the vote, the amended motion was agreed.

Council notes the recent resolution by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits.

Though many agree that universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower incomes, but not in receipt of Pension Credit, will now not receive the payments.

In Oxford the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 15,285. That means 88.9% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.[1][2]

Council further believes that the threshold for the receipt of any benefit should be staggered rather than immediate, so that any individual with means just above the threshold should not be relatively worse off.

Council is also concerned by the low uptake of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them — and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so.[3] Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to.

Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October (a rise from a cap of £1524 to £1717, compare the Energy Price Guarantee applied until end June 2023 which intended to keep a typical household’s energy bill below £2500 per year), which combined with the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

Council notes the good work already done by City Council officers to promote the take up of Pension Credit and calls on all Members to actively promote the take up of Pension Credit with any vulnerable constituents.

Council resolves to request that the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be revised, attaching a copy of this motion, and both Oxford MPs requesting their support regarding the same.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/winter-fuel-payment-statistics-for-winter-2022-to-2023

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dwp-benefits-statistics-february-2023, (on Stat-Xplore), table “Pension Credit - Data from May 2018”

[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2022/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2022

Green Group Motion

Council Notes:

1.    In November 2022, this council debated and passed a motion in response to reports that the then government was seeking to re-open Campsfield House for use as an immigration removal centre.^[1]

2.    The motion passed in 2022 condemned the proposed re-opening of the centre and called for the city to be a safe space for refugees.

3.    On 21 August 2024, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the current government’s plans to re-open Campsfield House.^[2]

4.    Cooper’s announcement has been heavily criticised by numerous migrants’ rights groups including Asylum Welcome,^[3] Detention Action,^[4] The Refugee Council,^[5] and Amnesty International UK.^[6]

5.    Summer 2024 saw violence and intimidation from far-right activists, some of which targeted - or threatened to target - organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers - including those within Oxford. 

6.    Both Oxford City Council^[7] and Oxfordshire County Council^[8] have committed themselves to the values of the City of Sanctuary programme, pledging to work for the creation of a safe and welcoming environment for those seeking sanctuary. 

Council Believes:

1.    Oxford and this council have a proud history of supporting and welcoming refugees and opposing detention. Maintaining our opposition to the re-opening of Campsfield House is an important part of this. 

2.    The recent steps to end the cruel Rwanda Plan and stop the state of permanent limbo^[9] created by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 are to be welcomed,^[10] but do not go far enough in restoring the legal right to asylum.

3.    Expanding detention and increasing deportations represents a worrying indication as to the government’s intended direction of travel, one which is incompatible with the promise this city has made to stand up for the rights of those seeking sanctuary.

4.    The UK’s asylum system needs major overhaul, including through the opening of safe and legal routes for people to claim asylum. 

5.    It has been extensively documented that immigration removal centers are sites of violence which have no place in a democratic, rights respecting, society.^[11]

6.    As such, Campsfield House should not be re-opened, and the government should be moving to shrink, not expand, the UK’s detention estate. 

7.    Rhetoric and policies that demonise and stigmatise asylum seekers have a contributory role in driving division in our society and fuel the far-right.

Council Resolves:

1.    To reiterate this council’s opposition to the re-opening of Campsfield House.

2.    To request that the Leader  of the Council write to the Home Secretary calling on her to:

3.    Abandon plans to re-open Campsfield House.

4.    Outline plans to reduce, rather than increase, the number of people held in detention.

5.    Begin to introduce a more humane migration policy - including through the establishment of safe and legal routes for people to claim asylum.

Councillor Alex Powell, seconded by Councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, proposed the motion as set out in the briefing notes.

Following debate and on being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

Council Notes:

1.    In November 2022, this council debated and passed a motion in response to reports that the then government was seeking to re-open Campsfield House for use as an immigration removal centre.^[1]

2.    The motion passed in 2022 condemned the proposed re-opening of the centre and called for the city to be a safe space for refugees.

3.    On 21 August 2024, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the current government’s plans to re-open Campsfield House.^[2]

4.    Cooper’s announcement has been heavily criticised by numerous migrants’ rights groups including Asylum Welcome,^[3] Detention Action,^[4] The Refugee Council,^[5] and Amnesty International UK.^[6]

5.    Summer 2024 saw violence and intimidation from far-right activists, some of which targeted - or threatened to target - organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers - including those within Oxford. 

6.    Both Oxford City Council^[7] and Oxfordshire County Council^[8] have committed themselves to the values of the City of Sanctuary programme, pledging to work for the creation of a safe and welcoming environment for those seeking sanctuary. 

Council Believes:

1.    Oxford and this council have a proud history of supporting and welcoming refugees and opposing detention. Maintaining our opposition to the re-opening of Campsfield House is an important part of this. 

2.    The recent steps to end the cruel Rwanda Plan and stop the state of permanent limbo^[9] created by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 are to be welcomed,^[10] but do not go far enough in restoring the legal right to asylum.

3.    Expanding detention and increasing deportations represents a worrying indication as to the government’s intended direction of travel, one which is not only incompatible with the promise this city has made to stand up for the rights of those seeking sanctuary, but also a cruel gimmick that multiple reviews by previous Tory governments have assessed to be inhumane, indiscriminate and wasteful.

4.    The UK’s asylum system needs major overhaul, including through the opening of safe and legal routes for people to claim asylum. 

5.    It has been extensively documented that immigration removal centers are sites of violence which have no place in a democratic, rights respecting, society.^[11]

6.    As such, Campsfield House should not be re-opened, and the government should be moving to shrink, not expand, the UK’s detention estate. 

7.    Rhetoric and policies that demonise and stigmatise asylum seekers have a contributory role in driving division in our society and fuel the far-right.

Council Resolves:

1.    To reiterate this council’s opposition to the re-opening of Campsfield House.

2.    To request that the Leader of the Council write to the Home Secretary calling on her to:

3.    Abandon plans to re-open Campsfield House.

4.    Outline plans to reduce, rather than increase, the number of people held in detention.

5.    Begin to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33b

Independent Oxford Alliance Group Motion

In February 2024, Oxfordshire County Council committed to spending £5.2m[1] developing plans to expand Oxford’s existing Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ). Although previously agreed in principle as part of the Central Oxfordshire Travel Plan[2], Oxfordshire County Council has not yet committed to proceeding with the ZEZ expansion.[3]

Each year, Oxford City Council produces an Air Quality Annual Status Report (AQASR)[4]. The report includes a detailed account of NO2 pollution levels, across numerous monitoring stations in Oxford and surrounding areas in the preceding year. The report also includes a commentary and analysis of themes relating to NO2 pollution in Oxford, such as the impact of the current ZEZ and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods on NO2 pollution levels.

Given the current development work taking place by Oxfordshire County Council in relation to the planned ZEZ expansion, it could be useful to draw on the insights collected as part of the AQASR publication process to produce an in-depth analysis of NO2 pollution levels in the planned ZEZ expansion zone.

Oxford City Council’s policy on NO2 pollution is that the local annual mean NO2 target for Oxford should be 30 µg/m³ by 2025[5], which reflects “step two” of the WHO’s updated interim target for NO2.

Oxford City Council notes that Oxford is currently in the process of taking delivery of numerous new electric buses, which have the potential to significantly reduce pollution in and around Oxford city centre[6].

The Council:

·       Believes it would be useful for Oxford City Council to publish a (non-statutory) supplement to its already-published 2023 AQASR. This supplement would help provide the public with the council’s baseline analysis of NO2 pollution levels in the planned ZEZ expansion zone, reusing existing data.

·       Further believes that subsequent AQASRs should also include an in-depth analysis of NO2 pollution levels in the planned ZEZ expansion zone.

·       Collectively, these analyses would assist Oxford City Council in deciding whether – in the council’s view – the ZEZ expansion remains objectively justified as a policy that the City Council should continue to endorse.

The Council therefore request that Cabinet ask those officers responsible for producing the Oxford City Council’s AQASR to:

·        Publish a supplement to 2023 AQASR (within three months of the date of this motion), which includes a detailed data table setting out the verified average NO2 pollution levels between 2019 and 2023, for each pollution monitoring station within the proposed ZEZ expansion zone.

·       To provide equivalent data in the 2024 AQASR, and in future years.

·       To ensure this data is accompanied by a detailed analysis of recent NO2 pollution trends within the planned ZEZ expansion zone, where reasonably possible, including an analysis of whether NO2 pollution within the proposed ZEZ expansion zone have yet fallen to Oxford City Council’s 30µg/m³ by 2025 target.

Council also asks Cabinet to consider not taking any decision about revenue and cost sharing arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council beyond the one agreed for the pilot (should they  ...  view the full agenda text for item 33c

Oxford Independent Group Motion

This council is shocked and angered a Labour government would even contemplate a financial attack on pensioners just as we approach winter. The cost-of-living payments also ending this will have a devastating on some of most vulnerable in our society. Those who have given service their whole lives to this country, are being abandoned at the time of need.

This council writes to the Prime minister and Home sectary requesting the winter fuel payment to be re instated.

Labour Group Motion

The last fourteen years of Conservative Government, with chronic underinvestment in affordable and social housing and retreat in the face of opposition to housebuilding have left this country in the grip of a housing crisis.

Across the UK the shortage of housing and uncontrolled increases in private sector rents have led to ballooning costs for temporary accommodation.[1] Those costs are so large that they are not just a threat to other council services, which will have to be cut to meet the bill, but they are putting the very existence of some local authorities in doubt.

In Oxford, despite the best efforts of our officers, costs for temporary accommodation have risen five-fold to over £4m, out of a total Council budget of £28.6m.

The watering down of Local Plan housing targets by Rishi Sunak, under pressure from wealthy NIMBY interest groups, means that far too many councils have been able to dodge their responsibility both to those in need now and to future generations by failing to plan for the homes that are so desperately needed.

Pressures on the budgets of housing associations and cuts to housing budgets in the name of ‘austerity’ mean that developers are finding it increasingly difficult to find buyers for the affordable homes they are supposed to build, meaning the developments simply aren’t starting.[2]

·       This Council therefore asks that the Leader of the Council writes to the Government to convey that:

·       This Council believes that decent and affordable housing for all, where you want to live, is a right and not a privilege.

·       This Council therefore applauds the new Government for its immediate reversal of cuts to housing numbers in Local Plans, and welcomes the return of strategic level planning to ensure that those Plans are delivered, particularly in Oxfordshire

·       This Council welcomes the Government’s approval of the long-overdue reservoir near Abingdon, something necessary to support the provision of new homes.

·       This Council further welcomes the Government’s commitment to the ending of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions,  which are a primary cause of the current levels of homelessness.

·       This Council calls on the Government to implement as soon as possible powers to control and regulate the short-term let sector to prevent the shift of landlords from the private rented sector to the short term let sector

·       This Council calls on the Government to continue to take action to ensure that investment in power, water and sewerage that has already been paid for by customers is delivered with immediate effect

·       This Council calls on the Government to review the funding and borrowing rules as they apply to social housing, to ensure that this city, and this country, sees the expansion of social housing construction as soon as possible

Liberal Democrats Group Motion

This council has no confidence in the employee protection offered to migrant care workers in Oxfordshire andin the UK, and believe that visa design is driving exploitation.[1] Sponsorship agencies have been able to get away with exploiting these carers by demanding large sums of money (often thousands of pounds) in exchange for arranging the carers' journey to the UK, housing them (often in disgraceful conditions) and arranging work. Carers often find they are not given the number of hours work promised and are forced to use food banks to survive.^[2]Many migrant carers have borrowed large sums from loan companies in their own country in order to pay the sponsorship fees, and are then trapped in the UK as they cannot return home without paying the money back. When migrants raise their concerns and needs with their sponsors they are threatened with being returned to their countries.[3]

The consequences are many. Migrant carers doing much needed work are forced to live in poverty with very stressful working conditions causing bad health and inability to work.[4]For example, one Oxfordshire family with disabilities reported that their carer X from Ghana needed to arrive for work at a client's (rural) home at 6am. Public transport was not available but sponsors refused to pay for a taxi, so he spent all his wages paying for one himself.

Carers' clients are also affected, if carers become ill and are unable to work. This means their client either has no carer or numerous different cover carers to be instructed in the client's individual care needs. It can lead to clients’ families being unable to cope so the client must go into residential care, at great emotional cost to the client and their family, and at great financial cost to Social Services. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that "despite need for care far outstripping current provision, care providers are losing business due to ongoing staff shortages.  A Care England study[5] found in 2023 that 44% of providers it surveyed had turned down new admissions and 18% had to close services altogether due to ongoing staff shortages.”[6]

Council believes the following steps should be taken to improve migrant carers' situation.

1. Simplify visa applications: The 60-day time limit needs to be extended so that carers don’t lose their visa if they haven’t found a new sponsor.

2. Grant access to public funds: Introduce a safety net whereby care workers can access public funds.

3. Provide flexible work visas: Support migrant care workers with work visas that are simply amendable to reflect changing work situations. Currently the UK’s labour market enforcement system is complicated, confusing and in dire need of reform.

Council resolves to request that Cabinet Member Cllr Chewe Munkonge write to Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Social Care, calling on him to drive these actions forward promptly.

Green Group Motion

1.     There are an increasing number of asylum seekers being accommodated within the city, particularly in a hotel near to the Kassam Stadium.[1]

2.     Those asylum claimants who are in receipt of statutory support according to section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 receive average weekly financial support equating to just £8.86 per week for those in accommodation.[2]

3.     Oxford City Council has signed up to the values of the City of Sanctuary scheme undertaking a commitment to ensure that Oxford is a safe and supportive environment for sanctuary seekers.[3]

4.     Oxfordshire County Council has also signalled its intention to become a County of Sanctuary, showcasing its own commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for people seeking sanctuary.[4]

5.     Numerous charities and organisations have drawn attention to the harms that hotel accommodation poses for asylum seekers: such as isolation from communities and resources.[5] This makes it even more important that support is accessible. 

6.     That the financial costs of travel within Oxford City make it more difficult for asylum seekers to access and engage with available sources of support.

7.     That asylum seekers have recently made representations regarding the need for free bus passes to Oxfordshire County Council.[6] 

Council Believes:

1.     That Local Authorities, at both District and County Council level, have a moral and ethical duty, to the extent to which the law allows, to advocate for and protect all residents residing within their territorial area regardless of immigration status.

2.     That access to support services should be open to all asylum seekers and should not be prohibited by transport costs.

3.     As a City of Sanctuary, Oxford City Council has a responsibility to act in a manner that promotes the safety, security and well-being of sanctuary seekers.

4.     As an aspiring County of Sanctuary, Oxfordshire County Council has a responsibility to act in a manner that promotes the safety, security and well-being of sanctuary seekers.