Decisions

Decisions

Use the search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s committees and officers.

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Decisions published

22/07/2020 - Seacourt Park and Ride Extension - additional budget ref: 1970    Recommendations Approved

Delivery of the Seacourt Park and Ride extension project approved by Cabinet on 12 June 2019.

Decision Maker: Head of Financial Services

Decision published: 04/09/2020

Effective from: 22/07/2020

Decision:

To approve a virement to provide additional budget for £220k in respect of the Seacourt Park and Ride extension project from the underspend on the Grey fleet budget as the overall project budget was showing a shortfall.

Wards affected: Jericho and Osney;

Lead officer: Paul Walker


20/07/2020 - Port Meadow mooring infrastructure - feasibility study. ref: 1966    Recommendations Approved

To provide specialist advice to inform future options for the Port Meadow moorings .

 

Decision Maker: Executive Director (Development)

Decision published: 21/08/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

The decision is to appoint consultants to provide specialist advice through the undertaking of a feasibility study to help inform future options for the moorings.

Following a tendering exercise, a preferred supplier has been chosen – Rothen Group, which is an expert in delivering waterways engineering and marina construction. 

 


28/07/2020 - Free Parking at Park and Rides ref: 1960    Recommendations Approved

To provide free parking at Council-run park and ride sites for a limited period from 05 December 2020.

Decision Maker: Chief Executive

Decision published: 07/08/2020

Effective from: 28/07/2020

Decision:

To provide free parking at Council-run park and ride sites (Redbridge, Seacourt and Peartree) for a limited period from August 2020. Oxfordshire County Council is making a matching offer for its two sites (Thornhill and Oxford Parkway).

Guide revenue loss in discussion with Parking Management estimated at circa £30-35k, based on post-lockdown usage data, for the month of August.

 

The Council has worked in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to provide free parking at all of Oxford’s five park and ride sites to make it easier for people to visit the city centre, rediscover Oxford, spend money in the local economy, and so support business and protect jobs. It’s a supportive initiative at a challenging time for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, with city centre footfall still heavily down on last year (circa 60%) and the number of vacant units rising. It is thus an intervention to support our tenant and business rate base (in and beyond the city centre, as the initiative could produce positive footfall benefits in local shopping areas e.g. Summertown and Headington, too), and a measure of support for Park & Ride services which have suffered from the guidance being to avoid them unless necessary (they’re currently running at 15% of usual capacity), and so support a return to use of a vital transport mode into the city centre.

 


31/07/2020 - Leisure Fee & Charges ref: 1962    Recommendations Approved

To change Fusion’s leisure fees and charges.

Decision Maker: Chief Executive

Decision published: 07/08/2020

Effective from: 31/07/2020

Decision:

To approve a preliminary change to Fusion’s  leisure fees and charges to charge £8 for a single visit (pay as you play).


27/07/2020 - Funding for consultancy fees and an additional management surveyor for 6 months associated with the Council's freehold interest in the former Boswells department store ref: 1956    Recommendations Approved

Appointment of a management surveyor to protect and maximise the Council’s commercial interests.

Decision Maker: Executive Director (Development)

Decision published: 03/08/2020

Effective from: 27/07/2020

Decision:

To commit expenditure of £75k from the £199k budget to cover consultancy fees and a temporary management surveyor

An opportunity has arisen that would allow the Council to benefit from its freehold interest in the former Boswells department store.

The decision has been taken to fund the appointment of a management surveyor to join the asset management team for 6 months to release capacity to work on this opportunity along with the consultancy fees which will be incurred. This is essential to protect and maximise the Council’s commercial interests. This will also release resource to enable to management of transactional work relating to long leasehold properties.


20/07/2020 - Disproportionate deaths from Covid-19 of Health and care workers from Black, Asian and ethnic minorities ref: 1947    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Councillor Bely Summers, seconded by Councillor Azad proposed the submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

After debate and on being put to the vote the motion as amended was agreed.

 

Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

People from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are twice as likely to die of Covid-19 in the UK as white British people. This is the conclusion of the Public Health Report (PHE) Beyond the data: understanding the impact of Covid-19 on BAME groups.

44% of NHS doctors are from ethnic minority backgrounds but they accounted for 90% of the deaths of doctors. Black, Asians and ethnic minority nurses are 20% of the workforce but accounted for 75% of deaths.

Ethnic minority healthcare workers and care workers believe systemic racism and discrimination in the NHS and in the Social Care sector is one of the reasons many of their colleagues died.

The report highlights

  • Lack of representation in senior roles
  • Being less likely to seek care due to poorer experience with the NHS.
  • Being less likely to speak up when they had concerns about PPE and risks
  • A higher proportion of healthcare workers from ethnic minority working on Covid wards and care homes.

The Covid-19 pandemic has simply shone a light on a widespread entrenched problem. From the ongoing hostile environment and the Windrush scandal to the health surcharges for migrants. Local health unions have testimonies of ethnic minority healthcare workers and care workers not protected at work.

Some have left the profession, others have had to make life or death decisions. In modern Britain this is unacceptable.

The first PHE report commissioned by ministers explained why some populations groups are more affected than others but did not publish the recommendations which would have helped to reduce the disparities.

The chapter on community engagement was missing silencing again the voices of those who have been the most affected in spite of a very extensive consultation.

We have clapped for our NHS staff who have risked their lives to save us as well as our care workers. Far too many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Now it is time to address systemic racism, injustice and discriminations in our institutions and communities.

 

Oxford City Council therefore

1.     supports calls for extensive research to be funded on the disproportionate number of deaths of ethnic minority workers and care workers with clear recommendations; and

2.     asks the Leader to write to Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to request as a priority that PHE and the government implement in full and within a clear timeline all the seven recommendations set out in ‘Beyond the data : understanding the impact of Covid-19 on BAME groups’:

·       comprehensive and quality ethnicity data collection and recording

·       support community participatory research

·       improve access, experiences and outcomes of NHS

·       accelerate the development of culturally competent occupational risk assessment tools

·       culturally competent Covid-19 education and prevention campaign

·       target culturally competent health promotion and disease prevention programmes

·       reduce inequalities caused by the wider determinants of health.

 


20/07/2020 - Adopting the C40 Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force principles ref: 1946    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Councillor Wolff, seconded by Councillor Howlett proposed the submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

Councillor Howlett in his speech announced that the Leader of the Council has on behalf of the Council recently signed up to the principles set out in the motion. The Council will apply them internally; publically states that these are our principles; and is proud to be part of the global network of cities adopting these.

After debate and on being put to the vote the motion as amended was agreed.

 

Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

This Council welcomes the findings of the C40 Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force that has published a set of principles aimed at rebuilding cities & economies in a way that ‘improves public health, reduces inequality and addresses the climate crisis’. 

This Council notes the principles:

1.     The recovery should not be a return to ‘business as usual’ - because that is a world on track for 3°C or more of over-heating;

2.     The recovery, above all, must be guided by an adherence to public health and scientific expertise, in order to assure the safety of those who live in our cities; 

3.     Excellent public services, public investment and increased community resilience will form the most effective basis for the recovery; 

4.     The recovery must address issues of equity that have been laid bare by the impact of the crisis – for example, workers who are now recognised as essential should be celebrated and compensated accordingly and policies must support people living in informal settlements;

5.     The recovery must improve the resilience of our city and communities. Therefore, investments should be made to protect against future threats – including the climate crisis – and to support those people impacted by climate and health risks;

6.     Climate action can help accelerate economic recovery and enhance social equity, through the use of new technologies and the creation of new industries and new jobs. These will drive wider benefits for our residents, workers, students, businesses and visitors; 

7.     We commit to doing everything in our power to ensure that the recovery from COVID-19 is healthy, equitable and sustainable;

8.     We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to ensure that our national government supports both cities and the investments needed in cities, to deliver an economic recovery that is healthy, equitable and sustainable;

9.     We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to ensure that international and regional institutions invest directly in cities to support a healthy, equitable and sustainable recovery

This Council agrees to monitor the on-going work of the Task Force and adopt the C40 Mayors principles in planning its own ‘build back better’ efforts.

 

Source: https://www.c40.org/other/covid-task-force

 


20/07/2020 - Twinning with a locality on the island of Taiwan ref: 1945    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Due to other engagements Councillors Harris and Simm left the meeting at the start of this debate; and Councillor Aziz left the meeting before the vote was taken.

Councillor Goddard, seconded by Councillor Wade proposed the submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

Councillor Clarkson, seconded by Councillor Tanner proposed the amendment as set out in the report in the briefing note.

After debate and on being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

After debate and on being put to the vote the motion as amended was agreed.

 

Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

Council notes:

1.    That Oxford currently has twin towns and cities in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. However, at present it has no such links with anywhere in East Asia.

2.    That no town or city in the UK is currently twinned with any town or city on the island of Taiwan.

3.    That amongst the achievements of the inhabitants of Taiwan are:

A.   Building what Freedom House describes as a “vibrant and competitive democratic system has allowed three peaceful transfers of power between rival parties since 2000” with “generally robust protections” for civil liberties. The organisation gives Taiwan a higher on their Global Freedom Index than the USA, France or Spain.

B.   Creating an “economic miracle” by which real GDP per capita on the island has increased more than 30 times since 1950. This make it one of the five fastest growing economies in the whole world during that period.

C.   Becoming the first jurisdiction in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.

D.   A World beating response to Coronavirus. At the time of writing, there have been just seven confirmed fatalities from COVID-19 on the island, despite it having a population of 24 million and being in close proximity to the initial outbreak in Wuhan.

E.   In April 2020, donating 7 million face masks to European countries, including the UK, dealing with a shortage due to COVID-19.

4.    That Taiwan is the UK’s second fastest growing export market and that the UK government is undertaking free trade talks with the Taiwan authorities.

5.    Cities in numerous countries which take the same diplomatic stance towards Taiwan have ‘sister cities’ on the island.

Council believes that:

1.    It should reaffirm the viewthat: “Twin city links give citizens the chance to engage with other cultures and ways of life, and make these experiences more accessible through established contacts and networks in the linked cities. They also bring benefit to cities through knowledge-sharing activities, where people can learn from how problems are tackled in other countries, exchange ideas and understand different viewpoints.”

 

2.    That it would be worthwhile for Oxford to explore the possibility of establishing friendship links with a locality in Taiwan with a view to expanding its international links to encompass East Asia in the long term.

 

3.    That a municipality-to-municipality relationship is separate from the UK’s official diplomatic position of recognising the People’s Republic of China and avoiding dealing with the Taiwan authorities on a government to government basis. Oxford is grateful for the friendship of people from throughout the People’s Republic of China and the contribution its citizens make to the city as visitors, students and residents.

 

Council resolves that Oxford City Council hereby encourages those interested to explore the possibility of establishing grassroots friendship links, in a similar way to those developed with Ramallah, with a longer term view of a twinning agreement with an appropriate municipality in Taiwan.

 


20/07/2020 - Decisions taken under Parts 9.3(b) and (c) of the Constitution ref: 1937    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Council considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance setting out the decisions taken by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) using the urgency and emergency powers delegated in Parts 9.3(b) and (c) of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Brown, presented the report and she and other Cabinet members answered questions:

·       Expenditure on ICT covered the costs of introducing remote working for the majority of staff to allow the council to continue to deliver services (hardware, software, licences, remote meetings, and peripheral devices). This was separate from the previously planned replacement programme. There were no immediate plans to return to office based working or to recoup any investment.

·       Topping up furlough payments to all furloughed staff accorded with good employment practices and the council’s commitment to paying the Oxford Living Wage.  

·       Decisions were taken with Cabinet’s input and knowledge and after informing opposition group leaders.

The recommendation, moved and seconded, was put to the vote.

Council resolved to note the decisions taken as set out in the report.

 


20/07/2020 - Motions on notice ref: 1944    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

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

a)              Twinning with a locality on the island of Taiwan

b)              Adopting the C40 Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force principles

c)               Disproportionate deaths from Covid-19 of Health and care workers from Black, Asian and ethnic minorities

The following motions were not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished:

d)              Celebrating Oxford’s Diversity

e)              Against postponing County Council elections

f)                Fossil fuel divestment

g)              Against postponing County Council elections (2)

h)              Liveable Streets initiative

 


20/07/2020 - Scrutiny Committee update report ref: 1943    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

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

Councillor Gant introduced the report and gave an update on the work of the Scrutiny Committee.

Council noted the report and the appendices.

 


20/07/2020 - Questions on Notice from Members of Council ref: 1940    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

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

These along with summaries of the 15 supplementary questions and responses asked and given at the meeting are set out in the printed pack of these minutes.


20/07/2020 - Questions on Cabinet minutes ref: 1938    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Questions asked on:         

12 February - Minute 137 Scrutiny Committee Reports - plans for the Zero Emissions Zone

Cllr Gant asked a question and Cllr Hayes answered

15 July - Minute 31 Oxfordshire Growth Board Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding

Cllr Gant asked a question and Cllr Brown answered.

 

 


20/07/2020 - Public addresses and questions that relate to matters for decision at this meeting ref: 1936    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

There were no addresses or questions.

 


20/07/2020 - Announcements ref: 1935    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

The Lord Mayor reported on his civic appointments:

While there were far fewer engagements, he had taken part in online engagements and making videos including

·         Taking part with Perm, Oxford’s twin town, on Perm Day;

·         Remembering and commemorating Srebrenica Memorial day on 11 July2020;

·         Taking part in a global Eid event;

·         Meeting the new High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Mrs Amanda Ponsonby;

·         Taking part in online multi-faith meetings.

The Sheriff reported on his civic appointments including a virtual Freemen’s admission ceremony.

He recorded his thanks to the council’s countryside team for their extraordinary work in keeping Port Meadow useable and wildlife friendly in the current very challenging circumstances of greatly increased use and huge volumes of litter left.

The Leader of the Council reported the re-appointments and new appointments of Champions for specific parts of the Council’s work, and thanked them for their work in their roles:

Cllr Shaista Aziz - Race and equalities

Cllr Colin Cook - Heritage

Cllr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini - Migrants

Cllr Richard Howlett - Co-operatives

Cllr Pat Kennedy - Older People

Cllr Mark Lygo - Sports

Cllr Chewe Munkonge - Small Business

Cllr Martyn Rush - Living Wage

 


20/07/2020 - Appointment to Committees ref: 1934    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Council agreed to make changes with immediate effect to:

West Area Planning Committee

·       Cllr Wade to replace Cllr Harris

·       Cllr Tarver to replace Cllr Tidball

 


20/07/2020 - Minutes of previous meetings ref: 1933    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 27 January 2020; 13 February 2020 (subject to checking the accuracy of the recorded vote at Minute 89d); 24 February 2020; 20 May 2020; and 8 June 2020 as true and correct records of those meetings.

The Lord Mayor shall sign these at a suitable time.


20/07/2020 - Polling Places Review - Effects of Covid-19 and the postponement of the ward boundaries ref: 1951    Recommendations Approved

The changes to the ward boundaries were due to take effect at the elections this May. As a result of the Coronavirus Act those changes were postponed, along with the elections, to May 2021. So the Council needs to be able to hold by-elections and other polls using the "old" boundaries between now and May 2021. To do that we need to amend the new scheme so as to be able to re-create the old scheme. This report proposes a scheme to enable that.

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 20/07/2020 - Council

Decision published: 29/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

Council considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance seeking approval of a draft schedule of polling districts and polling for the administrative area of the City Council in order to enable any by-elections to take place before May 2021 on the old ward boundaries.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Brown, presented the report and moved the recommendations which were agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to:

1.            approve the draft schedule of polling places and polling districts as detailed in Appendix 1 to this report;

2.            agree that the changes should not be formally published unless required;

3.            agreethat the scheme approved by Council on 13 February 2020 will apply again from 1 December 2020.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);


20/07/2020 - Cycle parking at park & ride sites ref: 1931    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Executive Director (Development)

Decision published: 21/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

To install  130 cycle parking spaces at Seacourt, Redbridge and Peartree Park and Ride.

 

As part of efforts to reopen the city following Covid 19, the City Council is working with Oxfordshire County Council on emergency measure to allow for social distancing and for use of sustainable modes of transport including walking, cycling and public transport.

 

In the lead up to reopening the city a range of transport measure were implemented at short notice.

 

This decision relates to the installation of 130 cycle parking spaces at Seacourt, Redbridge and Peartree Park and Ride. These spaces were installed to allow increased rates of cycling from park and rides to final destinations, while the use of public transport is discouraged.

 

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to be used to fund this. This scheme has been confirmed as being eligible for CIL as it relates to infrastructure that will have a strategic benefit in the reopening of the city centre as well as being aligned to the longer term transport strategy in terms of reducing car travel into the city and utilising the park & rides as a key opportunity to get people onto cycles and buses.

 

Total cost: £10,900.

 


20/07/2020 - Revision to the Protocol for Remote Meetings ref: 1932    Recommendations Approved

To update remote meeting protocol.

Decision Maker: Head of Law and Governance

Decision published: 21/07/2020

Effective from: 20/07/2020

Decision:

To revise the Protocol for Remote Meetings to make a number of amendments aimed at ensuring the Protocol remains in step with current practice. The revisions provide additional clarity in respect of the duties of the host, recordings of meetings, use of the Chat function to assist with the administration of the meeting, the naming regime for Members and Officers and what may happen in the event of technical difficulties.

 

The Head of Law and Governance consulted with the cross-party Remote Meetings Member Reference Group before revising the Protocol and there was general agreement with the changes proposed.

 

The revised Protocol for Remote Meetings is version 2.0.