Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Roy Darke, James Fry, Sam Hollick and Val Smith.

Councillors Mohammed Niaz Abbasi, Mohammed Altaf-Khan, Shah Jahan Khan and Sajjid Malik declared pecuniary interests in the following agenda items as they were all holders of a Taxi Driver Licence:

Agenda item 12 – Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles: Age Limits and Euro Emissions (minute 41 refers).

Agenda item 13 – Policy on Hackney Carriage Quantity Control (minute 42 refers).

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 24^th June 2013.

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 24^th June 2013.

Council agreed:

(1)          To appoint Councillor Louise Upton to the Scrutiny Committee, replacing Councillor Michelle Paule;

(2)          To appoint Councillor Helen O’Hara to the East Area Planning Committee, replacing Councillor Steve Curran;

(3)          To appoint Councillors Bev Clark and Susanna Pressel to the Disciplinary Committee for Directors and Heads of Services replacing two Liberal Democrat Members (for political balance purposes following the North Ward By-election)

(4)          That the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group informs the Head of Law and Governance of Liberal Democrat appointments to the Planning Review Committee and the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee, replacing the former Councillor for North Ward and which two Liberal Democratic Councillors will no longer serve on the Disciplinary Committee for Directors and Heads of Service.

(5)          To note that Councillor Steven Curran would replace Bev Clack on the City Executive Board as Board Member for Youth and Communities.

Announcements by:

(1)          The Lord Mayor

(2)          The Sheriff

(3)          The Leader of the Council

(4)          Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Monitoring Officer

The Chief Executive has been supplied with and has submitted the results of the North Ward By-election held on 19^th September 2013.

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements:

(1)          Councillor Louise Upton was welcomed to her first Council meeting, following the North Ward By-election, results of which were submitted by the Returning Officer (previously circulated, now appended);

(2)          Congratulated Rev. Bob Wilkes for being instituted as Vicar of St. Michaels at the North Gate;

(3)          The City Council had won the Regional Britain in Bloom award and a Silver Gilt in the City category;

(4)          That the City Council had won a bowls competition against Abingdon Town Council.

Public addresses and questions 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 5.00pm on Tuesday 24^th September 2013.

Full details of the addresses and questions submitted by the deadline will be provided separately prior to the meeting.

Anneliese Dodds addressed Council on the Living Wage and Zero Hour Contracts.  The full text of her address is appended to these minutes.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 11.10(g) the address was considered with agenda item 23(6) Motions on Notice – The Living Wage.

The Head of Leisure, Parks and Communities has submitted a report which details the Pavilions Programme and seeks Project Approval.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 10^th July 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is also attached.

Council is asked to approve an increase to the project budget to £3.143 million subject to securing external funding, and the Capital and Asset Management Group agreeing the virements noted in Appendix 1 of the report.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Leisure, Parks and Communities which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 10^th July 2013. The report presented the Pavilions Programme and sought Project Approval;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 10^th July 2013.

Councillor Mark Lygo moved and spoke to the report.

Following a debate, Council agreed to approve an increase to the project budget of £3.143 million subject to securing external funding, and the Capital and Asset Management Group agreeing the virements noted in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Head of Housing and Property Services has submitted a report which details recommendations to improve the supply of suitable temporary accommodation in order to meet the Council’s duties to homeless households.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked:

(a)          To agree that the 2013/14 General Fund Capital Budget be updated with the inclusion of a new scheme, namely “Homeless Property Acquisitions”, estimated at £5 million, funded from borrowing, and to include a further £5 million budget in 2014/15;

(b)       To approve an increase in the General Fund external borrowing of up to £10 million to finance capital expenditure.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Housing and Property Services which was also submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report detailed recommendations to improve the supply of suitable temporary accommodation in order to meet the Council’s duties to homeless households;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Councillor Scott Seamons moved and spoke to the report.

Council agreed:

(a)          To approve that the 2013/14 General Fund Capital Budget be updated with the inclusion of a new scheme, namely “Homeless Property Acquisitions”, estimated at £5 million, funded from borrowing, and to include a further £5 million budget in 2014/15;

(b)          To approve an increase in the General Fund external borrowing of up to £10 million to finance capital expenditure.

The Head of Housing and Property Services has submitted a report which seeks approval for the proposed new Allocations Scheme.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked to approve the proposed new Allocations Scheme as amended.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Housing and Property Services which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report sought approval for the proposed new Allocations Scheme;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Councillor Scott Seamons moved and spoke to the report.

Following a debate, Council agreed to adopt the new Allocations Scheme as amended by the City Executive Board, with one further amendment as follows:

(a)          That the word “false” be deleted and replaced with the word “fraudulent” in the final bullet point of section 15 of the Appendix 1 of the report.

The Head of Finance has submitted a report which seeks approval to transfer assets from the HRA to the General Fund, together with a proportion of HRA cash balances.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked:

(1)       To transfer the non-dwelling assets identified in Appendix B to the report with a net book value of around £18 million from the HRA to the General Fund;

(2)       To transfer with immediate effect, cash balances of £7 million from the HRA to the General Fund in order to fund future projects that achieve on-going General Fund savings.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Finance which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report sought approval to transfer assets from the HRA to the General Fund, together with a proportion of HRA cash balances;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Councillor Ed Turner moved and spoke to the report.

Following a debate, Council agreed:

(a)          To approve the transfer of non-dwelling assets identified in Appendix B of the report with a net book value of around £18 million from the HRA to the General Fund;

(b)          To approve the transfer with immediate effect, of cash balances of £7 million from the HRA to the General Fund in order to fund future projects that achieve on-going General Fund savings.

The Head of Environmental Development has submitted a report which details the recommendation of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee of 5^th September 2013 in relation to the draft revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked to approve the recommendation of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee that the draft revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy be adopted.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Environmental Development which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report sought approval of the recommendation from the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee that the draft revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy be adopted;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Council agreed:

(a)          To adopt the draft revised Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy;

(b)          To approve the re-adoption of a “no casino” policy.

The Head of Environmental Development has submitted a report which asks Council to consider the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee of 5^th September 2013 in relation to the proposed amendments to the “Conditions of Fitness” applicable to the licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked to approve the recommendation of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee to approve the “Conditions of fitness” application the licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Environmental Development which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report asked Council to consider the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee of 5^th September 2013 in relation to the proposed amendments to the “Conditions of Fitness” applicable to the licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Councillors Mohammed Niaz Abbasi, Mohammed Altaf-Khan, Shah Jahan Khan and Sajjid Malik declared pecuniary interests as they were all holders of a Taxi Driver Licence and left the Chamber while the item was debated and voted upon.

Councillor Craig Simmons, seconded by Councillor David Williams moved an amendment to the recommendation to add the following words:

“subject to further guidance being drafted by Officers which allow for exemptions to be made for low carbon vehicles (for example, certain electric, hybrid and re-engined vehicles) which meet other quality criteria”.

Following a debate, Council voted and the amendment was not adopted.

Following a further debate, Council agreed to adopt the following age limits for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles:

·                     New Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles – 5 years

·                     Existing Hackney Carriage Vehicles – 12 years

·                     Existing Private Hire Vehicles – 10 years

The Head of Environmental Development has submitted a report which asks Council to consider the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee of 21^st May 2013 in relation to the Policy on Hackney Carriage Quantity Control

This report was presented to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Council is asked to:

(1)          approve the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee that accepted the conclusions of the Hackney Carriage “Unmet Demand” survey report prepared by Halcrow Group Limited, that there is currently no significant unmet demand for hackney carriage vehicles;

(2)          agree that there is currently nosignificant demand for the services of hackney carriage vehicles which is unmet and to therefore resolve to maintain the Council’s policy of quantity control on the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences; and

(3)          agree that a further Unmet Demand survey be commissioned in 2015, subject to any future changes to legislation.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Environmental Development which was submitted to the City Executive Board on 11^th September 2013. The report asked Council to consider the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee of 21^st May 2013 in relation to the Policy on Hackney Carriage Quantity Control;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 11^th September 2013

Councillors Mohammed Niaz Abbasi, Mohammed Altaf-Khan, Shah Jahan Khan and Sajjid Malik declared pecuniary interests they were all holders of a Taxi Driver Licence and left the Chamber while the item was debated and voted upon.

Following a debate, Council agreed:

(a)          To adopt the recommendation of the General Purposes Licensing Committee that the conclusions of the hackney carriage “Unmet Demand” survey report prepared by Halcrow Group Limited, that there is currently no significant unmet demand for hackney carriage vehicles, be accepted;

(b)          To accept that there is currently no significant demand for the services of hackney carriage vehicles which is unmet and therefore resolved to maintain the Council’s policy of quantity control on the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences;

(c)          That a further unmet demand survey be commissioned in 2015, subject to any future changes to legislation.

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report which addresses the request of the Leader at the June 2013 Council meeting that a proposal be brought forward as to how Council Procedure Rule 11.14 might pro-actively be used to highlight the work of significant partnerships.

Council is asked to approve the procedures for partnership reporting to ordinary meetings of Council, and the consequent amendment to Council Procedure Rule 11.14.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which addressed a request of the Leader at the June 2013 Council meeting that a proposal be brought forward as to how Council Procedure Rule 11.14 might pro-actively be used to highlight the work of significant partnerships.

Councillor Bob Price moved the report and spoke.

Council agreed to approve the procedures for partnership reporting to ordinary meetings of Council, and the consequent amendment to Council Procedure Rule 11.14. in the Constitution.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which seeks approval to: the CIL Charging Schedule, the date on which the CIL will come into effect, and the revised CIL instalments policy.      

Council is asked to:

(a)     Approve the CIL Charging Schedule in line with the recommendation of the independent examiner;

(b)     Approve the revised CIL instalments policy;

(c)     Approve the date on which the CIL will come into effect.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which sought approval to: the CIL Charging Schedule, the date on which the CIL would come into effect, and the revised CIL instalments policy.

Councillor Bob Price moved the report and spoke.

Following a debate, Council agreed:

(a)          To approve the CIL Charging Schedule in line with the recommendation of the independent examiner;

(b)          To approve the revised CIL Instalments Policy;

(c)          To approve the date of 21^st October 2013 for the CIL to come into effect.

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report which presents an updated Code on Councillor-Officer Relations and Publicity as part of the Governance Review which was considered by Council at its meeting on 22^nd April 2013. It also presents a draft Councillor Call for Action Protocol.

Council is asked to:

(1)     Approve and adopt the revised Code on Councillor-Officer Relations and Publicity;

(2)     Approve the draft Councillor Call for Action Protocol subject to any amendments required by the Scrutiny Committee; and

(3)     Authorise the Head of Law & Governance to make the necessary changes to the Constitution to give effect to the recommendations arising from the report.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which presented an updated Code on Councillor-Officer Relations and Publicity as part of the Governance Review which was considered by Council at its meeting on 22^nd April 2013.  A draft Councillor Call for Action Protocol was also submitted.

Councillor Bob Price moved the report and spoke.

Councillor Craig Simmons, seconded by Councillor David Williams moved an amendment as follows:

In Appendix 2, Section 23.13 – Media releases and publicity

In point (d) Content of media releases

Delete the words “Ward Councillors may be quoted on matters that they have significantly influenced”

Replace with the words “Ward Councillors SHOULD be quoted on matters that they have significantly influenced”.

In point (e) Notification of media releases:

Delete the words “All Members will receive notification of all press releases made on behalf of the Council the Communications Team.  Media releases which are embargoed will be sent to all Members at the time that the embargo is lifted”

Replace with the words "All Members will receive immediate notification of all press releases made on behalf of the Council (including embargoed releases) by the Communications Team. Members will respect any embargo."

Following a debate, Council voted on the amendment which was not adopted

Following a further debate, Council agreed:

(a)          To approve and adopt the revised Code of Councillor-Officer Relations and Publicity;

(b)          To approve the draft Councillor Call for Action Protocol subject to any amendments required by the Scrutiny Committee;

(c)          To authorise the Head of Law and Governance to make the necessary changes to the Constitution.

Minutes of the City Executive Board held on:

(a)          10^th July 2013

(b)          31^st July 2013

(c)          11^th September 2013

Council had before it minutes of the City Executive Board as follows:

(a)          10^th July 2013

(b)          31^st July 2013

(c)          11^th September 2013

City Executive Board – 10^th July 2013

(a)          Minute 27 – Low Emission Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan – Councillor Graham Jones asked if the City Executive Board had now considered the Low Emission Strategy.  In response Councillor John Tanner confirmed that it had at a special meeting of the City Executive Board held on 31^st July 2013.

(b)          Minute 28 – Neighbourhood Planning Areas – Designation – Councillor Jean Fooks felt that the boundaries should be on based on communities and not on political boundaries.  In response Councillor Ed Turner observed that Officers had achieved a good balance on the boundaries.  He added that there were many ways in which residents could become involved and he would be happy to discuss this further with Councillor Fooks.

City Executive Board – 11^th September 2013

(a)          Minute 56 – Finance, Performance and Risk – Quarter 1 Progress – Councillor Jean Fooks raised concerns on the target for invoices to be paid which was not being met and how this affected business, especially small businesses in the City.  In response Councillor Ed Turner said that the situation would continue to be monitored.

Questions on notice under Council Procedure Rule 11.9(b) may be asked of Lord Mayor, a Member of the City Executive Board or the Chair of Committee.

Questions on notice must, by the Constitution be notified to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 1.00pm on Monday 23^rd September 2013.

Full details of any questions and responses will be circulated prior to the meeting.

(1)          Question to the Board Member, Youth and Communities (Councillor Bev Clack) from Councillor David Williams

Local Child Poverty Commission

Given that the number of children living in poverty in Oxford has increased and is predicted to continue rising, and that we in Oxford are lucky to be well-placed for people and organisations both able and keen to help, does the Portfolio holder consider that the Council  would be willing to join forces with a cross-party, cross-community commission to enquire into local child poverty and to suggest positive actions ?

Response: The levels of child poverty in the United Kingdom and in Oxford are indeed shocking, and have of course been increasing steadily since the election of the Coalition Government and their successive reductions in social security spending. Addressing poverty lies at the heart of Labour's mission, as was highlighted in Ed Miliband's conference speech, and I am glad that other parties share our commitment to the creation of a more equal society  in which no child is condemned to suffer the indignities of poor housing, clothing and nutrition.  A very large programme of work has been undertaken since 2007 in the city to tackle child poverty under the auspices of the OSP's Tackling the Cycle of Deprivation programme, and substantial funding from the Labour Government's LAA allocations. A large amount of information is already available and can be accessed through data bank held by Mark Fransham.  I think that this would be a good moment for the Scrutiny Committee to undertake an enquiry into the causes and consequences of child poverty as it is experienced in Oxford, using the data and the evidence from the many colleagues in the City, County and NHS, who have been involved in the Tackling the Cycle programme.

Councillor Williams in a supplementary question asked if the Board Member would agree that the City Council should fall in line with other local authorities into setting up a Commission and that this should be a separate body and not via scrutiny.

Councillor Curran in response said that child poverty levels in Oxford were appalling, but that scrutiny was the right approach at this moment in time.  He added that there was a need to be consulting with a much wider consult than we currently did and agreed to look at other charities in the future.  He further added that he felt that the County Council had not done nearly enough in order to address the problems of child poverty.

(2)          Question to the Board Member, City Development (Councillor Colin Cook) from Dick Wolff

Discontinuance Notice – Roger Dudman Way

In the light of the past 12 months of revelations regarding the planning process for the Roger Dudman Way buildings which are intrusively blocking heritage and 'protected' views from Port Meadow,

including:

-           The lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (which would have included light pollution, heritage views and soil contamination)

-           The impossibility of meaningful 'mitigation' of the damage caused

-           The unresolved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

Public addresses and questions 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 5.00pm on Tuesday 24^th September 2013.

Full details of the addresses and questions submitted by the deadline will be provided separately prior to the meeting.

The following public addresses and questions that did not relate to matters for decision at the meeting were made and asked at Council.  The texts of the addresses are appended to these minutes.  Responses where applicable to the addresses from Board Members and responses to questions are set out below.

Addresses

(1)          William Clark – Blackbird Leys Park

Following the address, Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member, Leisure, said that he was pleased that the new competition pool was being built in Blackbird Leys and he continued to work with the Leys Football Team.  Councillor Mark Lygo, Board Member, Parks and Sport added that no green spaces had or were being destroyed and that green trails were being created and play areas refurbished.

(2)          Nigel Gibson – Temple Cowley Pools

Following the address, Councillor Scott Seamons, Board Member, Housing said that waiting lists did change and that accommodation was allocated to people in Band 5 on the list.  Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member, Leisure Services, said that Officers did have to advise in some cases that in the short term people should seek accommodation in the private rented sector.  He was not satisfied with this situation and that was why the Council wanted to build more homes.  He added that Oxford was expanding and it was right to upgrade its leisure facilities to meet this expansion.

(3)          Mark Pitt – Development issues on Oxford

No comments were made by Board Members.

(4)          Sarah Scheele – Cutteslowe Community Association – Active Cutteslowe Outdoor Gym and Fitness Trail Project

Following the address, Councillor Mark Lygo, Board Member, Parks and Sports said that he would continue to work with the Community Association, the Trustees and the Ward Councillors on this issue.

Questions

(1)                      Question to the Board Member, City Development (Councillor Colin Cook) from Sean Feeney

Board Member, City Development – Councillor Colin Cook

(1)          Executive Board Member for City Development Cllr Colin Cook, whose interests do you serve:

(a)       those of your employer the University of Oxford,

(b)       or those of your constituents who you were elected to represent?

(2)       As Executive Board Member for City Development you           have a constitutional role to “Provide political leadership and accountability” so will you:

(a)          expressly disclose and register the fact (which you have confirmed to me in a telephone conversation) that your employer is the University of Oxford?

(b)       be open and honest about the failings of yourself, the officers who you lead, and for whose actions you are accountable, by (as I currently believe you should):

?         giving a public statement admitting all failings by this Council known to you, and

?         acting with integrity and leadership by

1.         resigning as Executive Board Member for City Development, and

2.         resigning as Councillor for this ward?

            Response: Councillor Cook, Board Member city Development said that “in my work as the Chief Technician at the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre, I work in the interests of my employer, Oxford University.  In my work as a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

None submitted for consideration.

No petitions had been previously submitted for consideration at this meeting.

(a)          Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

The Head of Policy, Culture and Communications has submitted a report which informs members of the work of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and to answer questions about the work of the Partnership.

Council is asked to comment on and note the report.

(b)          Reports from and questions to, Members representing the Council on outside organisations.

(a)          Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

The Head of Policy, Culture and Communications submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which informed Council of the work of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The following additional information was also submitted:

LEP support to the Oxford Super Connected Cities Project

In September 2012 the LEP committed £300k capital grant and £25k revenue from the Growing Places Fund to support the Oxford Super Connected Cities Project. The capital grant was to be used towards fixed ultrafast broadband infrastructure build (fibre).

However, due to state aid challenges the focus of the Super Connected Cities project has been changed to a voucher scheme for SMEs to support ultrafast broadband connection costs. There is no longer any infrastructure build.

Oxford City Council and its partners on the Super Connected Cities Project are keen to help the LEP to find a way to continue supporting the Super Connected Cities Project and have suggested that the £300k be used to support a new bid to Government for the development of wireless hotspots in public buildings with a focus on public museums and galleries. Discussions are taking place with the LEP about this opportunity

Additional Information Requested

For the purpose of this Annual Report to Council the Oxford City Council has requested the following information from the Oxfordshire LEP:

·                     Increasing inward investment in Oxfordshire: How many business enquiries and how many conversions in the Oxfordshire and in Oxford over the last 12 months?

·                     Business support: How many businesses were assisted in Oxford and Oxfordshire over the last 12 months?

·                     Improving infrastructure for growth and jobs: What was the total investment in Oxford and Oxfordshire over the last 12 months?

·                     Economic development: What was the total investment in Oxford and Oxfordshire over the last 12 months?

·                     Broadband: What was the total investment in Oxford and Oxfordshire over the last 12 months?

This information has currently not been made available in a format where it is possible to disaggregate this information for Oxford.

Councillor Bob Price introduced the report.

Councillor Craig Simmons asked if the City Council would fund the LEP or specific projects.  In response Councillor Price said that the overall strategy fed into the funding streams.  He added that the majority of the funding unfortunately had gone outside of the City to the Enterprise Zone.

Councillor Graham Jones said that he had heard twice in the last few weeks that there was a plan coming to harness government funding and 7000 new homes in the County including 3000 in Oxford, and asked if Councillor Price would comment that the Grenoble road development would happen.  In response Councillor Price said that all discussions and issues around housing would fall from the discussions on the City Deal and around the outcome of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment which we hoped to receive by the end of the year.  He said that this would then feed into an analysis of housing needs over the coming 15-20 years.  He further added that the City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

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 Committee was appointed in May 2013.

Council is asked to comment on and note the report.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which updated Council on the activities of scrutiny and other non-executive Councillors since the Committee was appointed in May 2013.

Councillor Mark Mills moved the report.

Council agreed to note the report and the activities of scrutiny.

Council Procedure Rule 11.16 refers.

Motions received by the Head of Law and Governance by the deadline of 1.00pm on Wednesday 18^th September 2013 are attached to this agenda.

Council had before it 10 Motions on Notice and reached decisions as follows.

(1)          Freight Consolidation Centre for Oxford – (Proposed by Councillor Graham Jones, seconded by Councillor Mike Gotch)

Council notes

-           the current Air Quality Action Plan to reduce Nox emissions in the city and the Low Carbon Energy Strategy to reduce carbonemissions

            -           that current levels are too high

-           that the Westgate development will bring more traffic into the city centre with consequent increases in traffic-related pollutants.

            It therefore requests the Executive Board to ask officers to work with the County Council and other partners to develop a series of measures to address both these pollutants and carbon constraints in the new development generally.

Noting too the high levels of congestion and pollution caused by commercial vehicles in district retail centres as well as the city centre, Council further requests the Executive Board

-           to ask officers to explore and report on the establishment of a freight consolidation depot as is happening in cities across the UK and abroad

            -           identify feasible sites, and

-           explore the feasibility of making the use of electric delivery vehicles a condition of such a scheme's operation.

Councillor Graham Jones moved the following amendment to his own Motion:

In Paragraph 2, insert between the words ‘officers to’ and ‘work with’ the words ‘report to all members on their’.

At the end of Paragraph 3 add the word ‘to’.

At the beginning of Paragraph 4 delete the word ‘To’.

In bullet point 1 delete the words ‘explore and report’ and substitute the words ‘publish a report as a matter of urgency’.

Insert after the bullet point 1 an additional bullet point

‘-   include district centres in their feasibility assessment’

Councillor John Tanner moved the following amendment

In the first paragraph, third bullet point, delete the word ‘will’ and insert the word ‘may’

In the second paragraph, delete the word ‘requests’ and insert the word ‘congratulates’ and Delete the words ‘to ask’ and insert the words ‘for asking’

In the third paragraph, delete the words ‘commercial’ and ‘requests’ and insert the word ‘thanks’

In the third paragraph, first bullet point, delete the words ‘to ask’ and insert the words ‘for asking’, After ‘…explore’ and before ‘and report…’, insert ‘with the County Council and retailers,’  

The mover of the substantive Motion (Councillor Graham Jones) accepted the amendment from Councillor John Tanner.

Following a debate, Council voted and the amended Motion was adopted as follows:

Council notes

-           the current Air Quality Action Plan to reduce Nox emissions in the city and the Low Carbon Energy Strategy to reduce carbon emissions

-           that current levels are too high

-           that the Westgate development  May bring more traffic into the city centre with consequent increases in traffic-related pollutants.

It therefore congratulates the Executive Board for asking officers to report to all Members on their work with the County Council and other partners to develop a series of measures to address both these pollutants and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

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).