Agenda and draft minutes

Agenda and draft minutes

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Speaking at a Council or Committee meeting

Venue: Council Chamber - Oxford Town Hall

Contact: Jonathan Malton, Committee and Member Services Manager  email:  democraticservices@oxford.gov.uk tel: 01865 529117

Items
No. Item

53.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Councillor Edward Mundy sent apologies.

 

54.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

Councillor Gant declared interest in items 16a and 16b, due to his role as the Cabinet Member for Transport Management for Oxfordshire County Council. He agreed that he would leave the room for these items.

55.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on Monday, 25 November 2024.

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

Minutes:

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 25 November 2024 as a true and accurate record.

56.

Appointment to Committees pdf icon PDF 123 KB

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, and further changes made in 7 October 2024.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Agree the appointments to Committees.

Minutes:

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, and further changes made in 7 October 2024.

Council resolved to agree the appointments to Committees:

·         Audit and Governance Committee – Councillor Alex Powell to replace Councillor Lois Muddiman.

·         Planning Review Committee – Councillor Lois Muddiman to replace Councillor Alex Powell.

 

57.

Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor noted that today was Holocaust Memorial Day, recognising the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. He announced that he had attended a ceremony in the Town Hall today, with five students from Cheney School, whose projects memorialising the Holocaust received royal recognition. He extended his congratulations to the students and thanked them for their meaningful participation in the ceremony. He proposed that the Council rise for a minute of silence.

The Leader of the Council announced the civic office holders for next year: Councillor Upton will serve as Lord Mayor, Councillor Rowley will be Deputy Lord Mayor, and Councillor Gant will take on the role of the Sheriff.

City Rector shared that it was his privilege to be alongside the Lord Mayor and others at lunchtime today, preparing for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In his address, he turned to Genocide Watch, an organisation he leads, and shared a letter from an American High School Principal:

 

“I am a survivor of a concentration camp, and I have seen things no one should ever have to witness. I have seen gas chambers built by engineers, children poisoned by educated physicians and infants killed by trained nurses. I have seen women and babies shot by those with high school and college degrees. This is why I am suspicious of education. My request to you is this: help your children become human. Education should never produce monsters and skilled psychopaths. Reading, writing and arithmetic are important, but only if they serve to make our children more human”.

 

58.

Public addresses and questions that relate to matters for decision at this meeting

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, 21 January 2025.

 

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.

Minutes:

There were no addresses or questions.

59.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Rent Setting Report 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 534 KB

The Head of Financial Services had submitted a report to present the outcome of Oxford City Council’s (the council’s) annual rent review and associated rent setting proposal for 2025/26 in respect of all council dwellings within the Housing Revenue Account, including the setting of associated services and facilities charges.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

·       Approve an increase of 2.7% for 2025/26 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2025 giving an average weekly increase of £3.51 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £133.68 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

·       Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

·       Approve an increase to service charges by 2.7% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

·       Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 4.1%, equating to an increase of £0.78 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £20.00 per week.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report from the Head of Financial Services relating to the HRA Rent Setting Report 2025/26.

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report and proposed the recommendations.

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

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve an increase of 2.7% for 2025/26 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2025 giving an average weekly increase of £3.51 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £133.68 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report;

2.    Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications;

3.    Approve an increase to service charges by 2.7% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply;

4.    Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 4.1%, equating to an increase of £0.78 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £20.00 per week.

 

60.

Withdrawal of Oxford Local Plan 2040 from Examination pdf icon PDF 222 KB

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Service submitted a report which seeks approval for the withdrawal of the Oxford Local Plan 2040 from Examination.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the withdrawal of the Oxford Local Plan 2040 and the publication of the withdrawal statement;

2.    Note the Cabinet decision to approve the Local Development Scheme 2025-2030;

3.    Authorise the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services to make any necessary minor corrections not materially affecting the document prior to publication.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report from the Head of Planning and Regulatory Service to seek approval for the withdrawal of the Oxford Local Plan 2040 from Examination

Councillor Upton introduced the report and proposed the recommendations.

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

The Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the withdrawal of the Oxford Local Plan 2040 and the publication of the withdrawal statement;

2.    Note the Cabinet decision to approve the Local Development Scheme 2025-2030;

3.    Authorise the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services to make any necessary minor corrections not materially affecting the document prior to publication.

 

61.

Urgent Key Decisions Taken Since November 2024 pdf icon PDF 285 KB

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report which updates Council on key decisions taken in cases of special urgency since November 2024.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Note the urgent key decision taken in cases of special urgency as set out in the report

Minutes:

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which updated Council on key decisions taken in cases of special urgency since November 2024.

Councillor Brown presented the report.

Council resolved to note the urgent key decision taken in cases of special urgency as set out in the report.

 

62.

Council and Committee meetings programme for May 2025 to May 2027 pdf icon PDF 154 KB

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report which sets out a programme of Council, committee and other meetings for the whole of the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 Council years.

Recommendations: that Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the programme of Council, committee and other meetings from 1 May 2025 to 31 May 2027 attached at Appendix A;

2.    Delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make changes to this programme in the event that there is any decision by Council to change the committee structure or committee remits which impacts on the programme of meetings; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to set dates for additional training and briefing sessions for Members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Brown presented the report and moved for it to be voted upon. Upon being seconded by Councillor Smowton, the recommendations were put to a vote and agreed.

The Council resolved to

1.    Approve the programme of Council, committee and other meetings from 1 May 2025 to 31 May 2027 attached at Appendix A;

2.    Delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make changes to this programme in the event that there is any decision by Council to change the committee structure or committee remits which impacts on the programme of meetings; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Head of Law and Governance to set dates for additional training and briefing sessions for Members.

 

63.

Polling Place Review pdf icon PDF 148 KB

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report asking Council to approve the schedule of polling districts and polling places (shown at Appendix A to the report) for the administrative area of the City Council as required by the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.     Approve the schedule of polling districts and polling places (shown at Appendix 1) for the administrative area of the City Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Brown presented the report, formally moving the report to a vote.

Upon being seconded by Councillor Jarvis, the recommendations were put to a vote and agreed.

 

The Council resolved to

1.    Approve the schedule of polling districts and polling places (shown at Appendix 1) for the administrative area of the City Council.

64.

Questions on Cabinet minutes

This item has a time limit of 15 minutes.

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

64a

Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 11 December 2024 pdf icon PDF 482 KB

To be circulated with the Briefing Paper.

Minutes:

Councillor Smowton raised a question regarding the HRA business plan. He referred to the report, which mentioned selling 100 dwellings over the next 10 years to generate a capital receipt and improve the position of the HRA. He asked whether this option was being pursued and if so, how the number of new builds it enabled compared to the 100 units potentially lost.

Councillor Linda Smith responded that it was not being actively pursued at present. Instead, it was considered one of several potential actions that could be taken to mitigate the situation, if necessary.

Councillor Henwood stated that CPZ’s should not be a responsibility of the City Council, particularly when it came to funding reports related to them.

Councillor Brown responded that it was beneficial to allocate funds for infrastructure improvements, such as reviewing the transport systems, on behalf of the County Council, as it helped to improve conditions for local resident’s and local businesses.

Councillor Rehman expressed concern that LTN’s have been a disaster and requested whether they could be surveyed and reviewed.

Councillor Upton clarified that LTN’s were not a policy of Oxford City but were under the jurisdiction of the County Council, meaning no funding from the City Council would be directed towards the review.

Councillor Miles inquired why North Oxford was not part of the CPZ review.

Councillor Upton responded that she believes the County Council had put North Oxford forward for review.

 

64b

Draft Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 22 January 2025 pdf icon PDF 439 KB

To be circulated with the Briefing Paper.

Minutes:

Councillor Smowton inquired about the fleet item, asking whether the issue of contracts being issued in breach of local government regulations was limited to fleet purchase. He also asked if the money was lost due to the contract termination, and whether services were impacted.

Councillor Chapman responded that training and development had been implemented for staff to ensure this issue did not recur. Regarding the loss of money, he was not aware of any financial impact. He confirmed that there was sufficient flexibility to manage the existing fleet this year and assured that no services had been affected by the contract termination.

 

65.

Questions on Notice from Members of Council pdf icon PDF 396 KB

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, 15th January 2025.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

37 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 19 supplementary questions and responses asked and given at the meeting are set out in the minutes pack.

 

The Lord Mayor moved to item 15a, 15b and 15c ahead of the break.

66.

Outside organisation/Committee Chair reports and questions

As set out in the Constitution at procedure rule 11.16, 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 Thursday, 23 January 2025 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.

66a

Outside Organisation Report: OxLEP and Skills Board pdf icon PDF 485 KB

The Head of Regeneration and Economy has submitted a report which updates Council on the work of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd (OxLEP), the over-arching local partnership promoting economic growth and shaping the strategic direction of the Oxfordshire economy.

Recommendation: that Council revolves to:

1.    Note the report of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Hollingsworth introduced the report, explaining that the organisation was undergoing significant reorganisation, which had caused the delay in bringing forward the report. He stated that there was typically an annual report which was submitted, the last one was in March, and although they wanted to bring it forward earlier, the reorganisation delayed this process. The LEP was transitioning into an upper-tier authority under the Oxford County Council, which took some time to finalise. He mentioned that the transition will be completed by the end of March this year. This update served to inform Councillors on the progress, and Councillor Hollingsworth opened the floor to questions.

Councillor Miles pointed out the absence of disaggregated data, emphasising the importance of diversity when discussing the economic empowerment of different groups. She noted that the City Council values diversity, and as representatives of Scrutiny, they’ve raised concerns about the need for better collection and reporting of disaggregated data. She expressed hope that data on economic participation rates, apprenticeships and other relevant factors would be broken down based on key characteristics. She asked whether there were any insights on this but reiterated the importance of having such data to inform future actions.

Councillor Hollingsworth acknowledged the comments and assured that it would be passed along to the relevant leaders and officers for further consideration.

The Council resolved to note the report of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd.

66b

Outside Organisation Report: Oxfordshire Waste and Resources Partnership pdf icon PDF 134 KB

The Head of Corporate Strategy has submitted a report that notes the annual update on the Oxfordshire Resources & Waste Partnership.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Note the annual report on the work of the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership, 2023 to 2024

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Chapman introduced the report.

The Council resolved to note the annual report on the work of the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership, 2023 to 2024.

 

66c

Scrutiny Committee update report pdf icon PDF 313 KB

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee has submitted a report which updates Council on the activities of scrutiny and the implementation of recommendations since October 2024.

Council is invited to comment on and note the report.

The report will be published as part of the briefing note.

Minutes:

Councillor Miles, The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report. She outlined that the reporting period was from 1 October 2024 to 14 January 2025. During this time, the Committee held five panel meetings and made 32 recommendations to Cabinet. Of these, Cabinet and the Shareholder Joint Venture Group agreed to 26 recommendations, partially agreed to four and rejected five.

Councillor Miles drew attention to two urgent recommendations. The first was that Cabinet supported the continued implementation and embedding of actions proposed to mitigate the increased number of urgent key decisions taken. The second was that officers ensured an end of year report was submitted to Scrutiny Committee, detailing the number of key decisions taken, including data to track trends and evaluate distinctions between capacity related issues.

The Council resolved to note the report.

 

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

 

Councillor Andrew Gant left the meeting and did not return.

 

67.

Public addresses and questions that do not relate to matters for decision at this Council meeting pdf icon PDF 323 KB

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 21 January 2025.

 

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council heard 2 addresses and Cabinet Members read or summarised their written responses.

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

1.    Address from Julian Le Vay – Support for Motion 16e

2.    Address from Tom Lewis - Stop Botley West Solar Farm

 

68.

Motions on Notice January 2025 pdf icon PDF 499 KB

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, 15th January 2025are listed below.

Cross party motions are taken first. Motions will then be taken in turn from the Independent Oxford Alliance Group, Oxford Community Independents Group, Oxford Independent Group, Real Independent Group, Labour Group, Liberal Democrats Group, Green 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, 24th January 2025so 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)    Zero Emission Zone (Proposed by Cllr. David Henwood, Seconded by Cllr. Ian Yeatman)

b)    Visitor Parking Permits (Proposed by Cllr. Ajaz Rehman, Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Amar Latif)

c)    Devolution (Proposed by Cllr. Susan Brown, Seconded by Cllr. Anna Railton

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

e)    Demand compensation from Network Rail for delays in reopening Botley Road (Proposed by Cllr. Lois Muddiman, Seconded by Cllr. Alex Powell)

 

Minutes:

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

 

Motions taken but lost:

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

 

Motions agreed as set below:

·       Visitor Parking Permits (Proposed by Cllr. Ajaz Rehman, Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Amar Latif) [Amended by Cllr. Simon Ottino, seconded by Cllr. Linda Smith

 

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

·       Devolution (Proposed by Cllr. Susan Brown, Seconded by Cllr. Anna Railton)

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

·       Demand compensation from Network Rail for delays in reopening Botley Road (Proposed by Cllr. Lois Muddiman, Seconded by Cllr. Alex Powell)

 

 

68a

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

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.

 

Noting that where there are any financial and/or resource implications that the implantation of the report will be subject to a report to Cabinet, 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68a

Minutes:

Councillor Henwood, seconded by Councillor Yeatman, proposed the motion as set out in the briefing note. Following debate and on being put to the vote, the motionwas lost.

 

Council believes that 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. The Council 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 collectively 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.

Councilnotes that where there are any financial and/or resource implications that the implantation of the report will be subject to a report to Cabinet, 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 further 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 come forward) until the initial ZEZ pollution analysis has been completed.

 

68b

Visitor Parking Permits (Proposed by Cllr. Ajaz Rehman, Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Amar Latif) (Amendment proposed by Cllr Ottino, seconded by Cllr Linda Smith)

Oxford Independent Group Motion

 

This Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the relevant officers at Oxfordshire County Council to revert back to scratch card permits for visitors

 

The new scheme is discriminatory against residents who do not have access or struggle with digital technology.[1]

 

Requesting a family member or neighbour to assist can again be embarrassing or leave a feeling of worthlessness.[2]

 

This council believes it is the service providers responsibility to ensure services are workable and residents should not be left to seek additional help.

 

Council tax is at an all-time high[3] [4] and pays for services such as parking permits, whilst efficiency is clearly good, this change places an unfair burden on residents. It may well lead to visitors handed parking fines. The scratch card system is fair and reasonable system that works for all. 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Rehman, seconded by Councillor Latif, proposed the motion as set out in the briefing note.

 

Councillor Ottino proposed an amendment to the motion, as set out in the briefing note and was seconded by Councillor Liz Smith. Following the debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment was agreed.

 

The motion as amended and on being put to the vote, the amended motion was agreed.

 

The Council notes the recent commitment from Oxfordshire County Council that paper visitor parking permits will still be available for Oxfordshire residents who are genuinely unable to set up digital accounts.

 

This Council?asks the Leader of the Council to write to the relevant officers at Oxfordshire County Council to:

1.    Seek clarification as to exactly what the criteria are for which residents this will apply to

2.    Seek confirmation that this change will be closely monitored to ensure that discrimination doesn’t occur.

An only digital scheme would discriminate against residents who do not have access or struggle with digital technology.

 

 

68c

Devolution (Proposed by Cllr. Susan Brown, Seconded by Cllr. Anna Railton)

Labour Group Motion

 

The English Devolution White Paper published by the Government on Monday 16 December 2024 will open up opportunities for our local economy and for local residents in Oxford.[1]

 

Devolution could give more influence here in our local community over the policies and services that impact on our lives and our local economy. 

While there is much thinking and discussion needed for the detail of the changes in our area, this is a chance to make important changes for the better.

 

Services currently run from Whitehall could instead be run by a new strategic authority for the Thames Valley, which would be led by a directly elected mayor.

 

Learning from and inspired by the work of elected Mayors and strategic areas like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, a Thames Valley authority linking together our cities, towns and villages has the potential to be the largest and most successful economy in the UK outside London. The opportunities for our region are huge, and we need to take advantage of them.  

 

This council welcomes any movement of power away from Whitehall closer to local communities, and the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will gain strategic powers on transport, employment growth and skills and strategic planning. 

The White Paper also gives us an historic opportunity to bring all local government services back together and to an authority that reflects our city geography.  

 

Council believeonce unitary geography is established, citizens of Oxford and our local communities will be best served from having councillors who are as close to those communities as possible. It believes that in designing new unitary authorities, there is a balance to be struck over size and that very large authorities are unlikely to be sufficiently responsive to their communities.

 

We are rightly proud in Oxford that our councillors are representative of our wider community in terms of age, gender, work, skills and diversity. We want to ensure that far into the future councillors of all parties and none will continue to represent the full diversity of our historic city.

  

Our councillors will be represent all ages; those in work, retired or carers; those whose families have lived here for generations and those who have recently made our city their home; people from many different jobs and experiences and from different working backgrounds and cultures; of different, ethnic, religious and political influences.  

 

With local government reorganisation alongside the creation of a new strategic authority for the Thames Valley, it is vital that in the new unitary councils, the future representatives are able to continue the long tradition of standing up for the people of Oxford and those who work here. 

 

Council resolves:

·       To pledge to put the citizens of Oxford at the heart of all of our discussions to develop proposals that will be best for the residents and businesses in our city. 

To side with those who take the time to develop proposals rather than rushing to deliver a particular outcome without public support or  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68c

Minutes:

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.

68d

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

Liberal Democrat 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. 

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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. 

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

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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. 

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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. 

 



[1]CAB; Restrictive Visas 11/03/24 

[2]Citizens Advice Benefits and Work 11/03/2024 

[3]Citizens Advice 2024  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68d

Minutes:

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.

68e

Demand compensation from Network Rail for delays in reopening Botley Road (Proposed by Cllr. Lois Muddiman, Seconded by Cllr. Alex Powell)

Green Group Motion

This Council acknowledges the long-term benefits of the Oxford Station Project, which will increase capacity, deliver a new western entrance, create new off-road cycle lanes, contributing to a more sustainable and interconnected transport network.[1] However, it is deeply concerned by the prolonged disruption caused by delays to this project by Network Rail, which has caused significant harm to local businesses and residents.[2] 

The closure of Botley Road for 21 months has already led to substantial financial losses for local businesses, many of which are struggling to survive.[3] With no clear end date yet announced, these businesses face uncertainty and further financial strain, diminishing their ability to recover. The slow progress of Thames Water’s work to relocate a mains water pipe and sewer are acknowledged[4], but the extended delay and disruption cannot solely be attributed to external factors. However, this Council believes that Network Rail’s failure to effectively manage the project, address challenges promptly, and communicate clear timelines has exacerbated the situation. 

Furthermore, this Council is deeply concerned about the negative impact on the health and well-being of older and/or less mobile residents. Many of these individuals have been cut off from the city centre, with no through bus or alternative public transport routes available.[5] This has left them isolated, unable to access essential services, and exposed to increased mental and physical strain. The closure has thus exacerbated inequalities, particularly for vulnerable groups. 

In light of these serious concerns, this Council resolves: 

  1. To publicly campaign to protect the interests of Oxford’s residents and businesses, and work to ensure that those responsible for the ongoing harm caused by this project are held to account. 
  1. To request the Leader of the council:  

a.    Examines possible avenues to initiate legal action against Network Rail for their management of the Oxford Station project. 

b.    Calls for a public inquiry into the mismanagement of the project 

c.     Writes to Network Rail to demand a clear and achievable completion timeline for the project. 

 

Minutes:

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.