To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38.
South Oxfordshire District Council has made Neighbourhood Plans central to the planning process, in securing 40% affordable housing, employment land, green environment etc’, this to stop developers running roughshod over our District.
Council requests the Planning Committee to support Neighbourhood Plans in its decision-making as far as it possibly can within planning law.
A recent report by the Environment Agency found that every river in England is polluted beyond legal limits. Only 14% of English rivers can be considered ecologically healthy.
Our rivers and streams are under threat from sewage discharge, chemicals, agricultural waste and inappropriate abstraction.
Council notes the growing public concern around pollution in our rivers and the popularity of wild swimming, paddling, kayaking and paddle boarding in the River Thames and its tributaries.
More importantly, Council notes the intrinsic value of clean water and healthy, biodiverse rivers.
Recognising the importance of the River Thames and its tributaries as natural assets of national significance and their value to our District and its communities, this Council:
The Council recognises:
? The term BaME is not one that every person from an ethnic minority background identifies with but it is a term that everyone understands.
? The brutal, and unlawful, death of George Floyd in the United States of America has justifiably triggered global protests against institutional racism faced by Black people right across the world, including here in the United Kingdom. This support has been revived following the recent aggression of Jacob Blake leaving him paralized.
? These protests have come, alongside all the inequalities faced by Black people, in the wake of the devastatingly disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BaME communities in Britain and other parts of the world.
? It is clear that this impact has been made far worse by the structural inequalities Black people face when it comes to health, education and housing amongst the numerous obstacles that Black people encounter daily in the UK.
? BaME people are 54% more likely than white people to be fined under the new coronavirus lockdown laws.
? In the UK, 26% of instances of police using firearms are against Black people, despite Black people making up only 3.3% of the population.
? 51% of young men in custody in the UK are from BaME backgrounds, despite these groups making up only 14% of the UK population.
? Around two thirds of healthcare staff who have died as a result of COVID-19 are from a BaME background whereas they make up 20% of the overall workforce.
The Council notes:
? That Black lives matter as much as all others.
? That George Floyd’s brutal murder must be a catalyst for change across the world.
? That no country, city, police service or institution can absolve itself of the responsibility to do better.
? When the BaME communities will experience economic justice and opportunity, we all benefit. When our democracy works for Black Britain, it is a better democracy for all of us.
? That there is no place for racism or any form of xenophobia or bigotry anywhere in our society.
? That language is a powerful tool for inspiration and change, as well as oppression and ignorance and must be used wisely and respectfully.
? That it is necessary for our national and civic leaders to start an open and respectful conversation about who we are and what we stand for as a community.
? That the national conversation on institutional racism and immigration should be conducted with care for the dignity of people who are vulnerable, who do not have a voice in the public domain, and have to suffer the consequences of inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory language.
? That it is vital all efforts are taken to understand the impact of Covid-19 on BaME communities in South Oxfordshire and that we should work with all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact now and into the future.
? That whist 3.9% of South Oxfordshire population is from a BaME background, that is not matched from the data available by the proportion of staff working at Grade 11 and above. The same is true for elected members of the Council.
? That we must stand together as one.
Council resolves to:
? Show leadership in the campaign to rid our district of bigotry and racism by creating a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will ensure that council is inclusive to BaME and other diverse and hard to reach communities: in its staff recruitment, in its representation and in its service provision
Due to Covid 19 and other pressures, the council is under significant economic pressure to reduce its costs and hence the council will be assessing its asset portfolio to see where cost savings can be made.
One of the council's assets is the Cornerstone in Didcot. This is the jewel in the council's crown providing a much needed and appreciated social and cultural centre.
The council should strive to ensure that the Cornerstone continues to be provided with suitable funding to safeguard its future. Didcot is undergoing significant growth and requires facilities like the Cornerstone to enable the town to offer residents in the town and district cultural opportunities that may not exist anywhere else close by.
Minutes:
Prior to consideration of the motions, Council agreed, prior to the expiry of two and a half hours, in accordance with council procedure rule 12, to extend the duration of the meeting by half an hour.
As per minute (97/10/20) Council considered the motions adjourned from the meeting held on 16 July 2020.
Motion E from the July Council meeting
With the agreement of Council Councillor Jane Murphy moved, and Councillor Caroline Newton seconded the following altered motion from that submitted to the Council meeting in July.
This Council recognises the excellent work of all local government staff across Oxfordshire during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Councils have worked together in these difficult times, demonstrating the clear benefits to residents of integrated delivery. All Councils have gone the extra mile in delivering services to residents and have prioritised the most vulnerable members of our communities. This has inevitably incurred additional costs – c. £90 million across all tiers. Whilst welcome, the additional Government funding provided to date does not cover all our increased costs.
Councils across Oxfordshire are now considering how they can balance budgets and protect frontline services, as we are later tonight. No Councillor nor party wants to see drastic cuts to vital Council services. We, as a group of democratically elected Councillors, should take the initiative to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible public services for our residents; we have a duty to respond to the national financial challenge ahead and to be open and honest with our residents.
Council therefore agrees that:
Further to the motion passed at the December 2019 Council meeting, reflecting that much has changed since, the Leader should write to the Secretary of State, noting that not all Districts are interested only in self-preservation and request that he actively pursues consideration of unitary options for Oxfordshire. Recognising the current pressures on our staff and partners from addressing the COVID pandemic, and the increasing in the infection rates both nationally and regionally, the Leader should request that the Secretary of State ask MHCLG officials to convene and support a wide-ranging conversation with our local authority partners, business communities, residents and wider stakeholders, as soon as is practicable in 2021 to explore all viable unitary options for Oxfordshire that increase local accountability and maintain strong democratic links with communities”.
During the course of the debate on this motion Councillor Jane Murphy, with the agreement of her seconder, Councillor Caroline Newton, agreed to withdraw her motion on the understanding that the issue of local government reform and unitary options would come before councillors shortly after Christmas.
Motion F from the July Council meeting
With the agreement of Council, Councillor Jo Robb moved, and Councillor Andrea Powell seconded the following altered motion from that submitted to the Council meeting in July. On being put the motion was declared carried.
RESOLVED:
That Council notes the growing popularity of wild swimming, paddling, kayaking and paddle boarding in the River Thames and its tributaries and, more importantly, the intrinsic value of clean water and healthy, biodiverse rivers. The UK’s water companies are permitted to release raw sewage into waterways in specific circumstances, under licence from the Environment Agency.
Regulators rely on self-reporting on the part of the water companies and there is no way for river users to know in real time when sewage spills happen. Hundreds of beaches around the UK have Bathing Quality Water status – this ensures the Environment Agency monitors and reports on water quality throughout the bathing season.
Only a handful of inland lakes in the UK – and no rivers – have Bathing Quality Water status.
A recent report by the Environment Agency found that every river in England is polluted beyond legal limits. Only 14% of English rivers can be considered ecologically healthy.
Recognising the intrinsic importance of the River Thames as a natural asset of national significance and its value to our communities, this Council:
1. Asks officers to work with appropriate partners such as the Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Rivers Trust and Surfers Against Sewage to explore Bathing Quality Water status for the River Thames in South Oxfordshire;
2. Calls on Thames Water to draft and implement an action plan for the elimination of Controlled Sewage Overflows (CSOs) across its sewage treatment network;
3. Calls on Thames Water to provide accurate, real-time and publicly available information about Controlled Sewage Overflows into the Thames and its tributaries;
4. Asks officers to work alongside the Thames Champion, Thames Water, the Environment Agency, neighbouring Councils and others to achieve an end to sewage discharges, and the introduction of world-leading water quality legislation, a rigorous, enhanced water-testing regime and accurate up to date information on water quality and sewage spills to make the River Thames and its tributaries “Safe for All.”
A. Councillor Ken Arlett moved, and Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak seconded the motion as set out in the agenda at agenda item 18
On being put to the vote the motion was declared carried.
RESOLVED: That South Oxfordshire District Council has made Neighbourhood Plans central to the planning process, in securing 40% affordable housing, employment land, green environment etc’, this to stop developers running roughshod over our District.
Council requests the Planning Committee to support Neighbourhood Plans in its decision-making as far as it possibly can within planning law.
B. Councillor Jo Robb did not move the motion as set out in the agenda having moved altered wording to her motion previously submitted to the July Council (see motion F from the July Council meeting above).
During the consideration of Motion C, Council agreed, prior to the expiry of two and a half hours, in accordance with council procedure rule 12, to extend the duration of the meeting by half an hour
C. Councillor Alexandrine Kantor moved, and Councillor Kate Gregory seconded the motion as set out in the agenda at agenda item 18
The majority of councillors supported the motion as drafted. However, the view was expressed that, whilst supporting the sentiment of the motion, it should focus on areas the council could directly influence. The motion as drafted was too long and included background information and references to other countries.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 67, which provides for a recorded vote if three councillors request one, the chairman called for a recorded vote on the amendment which was declared carried with the voting as follows:
|
For |
Against |
Abstain |
|
Councillors |
Councillors |
Councillors |
|
Ken Arlett |
|
David Bartholomew |
|
Anna Badcock
|
|
Lorraine Hillier |
|
Pieter-Paul Barker |
|
Alan Thompson |
|
Robin Bennett |
|
|
|
David Bretherton |
|
|
|
Sam Casey-Rerhaye |
|
|
|
Sue Cooper |
|
|
|
Peter Dragonetti |
|
|
|
Maggie Filipova-Rivers
|
|
|
|
Stefan Gawrysiak |
|
|
|
Elizabeth Gillespie |
|
|
|
Sarah Gray |
|
|
|
Kate Gregory
|
|
|
|
Victoria Haval |
|
|
|
Simon Hewerdine |
|
|
|
Kellie Hinton |
|
|
|
Alexandrine Kantor |
|
|
|
Mocky Khan |
|
|
|
George Levy |
|
|
|
Lynn Lloyd |
|
|
|
Axel Macdonald |
|
|
|
Jane Murphy
|
|
|
|
Caroline Newton
|
|
|
|
Andrea Powell |
|
|
|
Leigh Rawlins |
|
|
|
Jo Robb |
|
|
|
Sue Roberts
|
|
|
|
David Rouane |
|
|
|
Anne-Marie Simpson |
|
|
|
Ian Snowdon |
|
|
|
David Turner |
|
|
|
Ian White |
|
|
|
Celia Wilson |
|
|
|
32 |
0 |
3 |
RESOLVED: That
Council recognises:
? The term BaME is not one that every person from an ethnic minority background identifies with but it is a term that everyone understands.
? The brutal, and unlawful, death of George Floyd in the United States of America has justifiably triggered global protests against institutional racism faced by Black people right across the world, including here in the United Kingdom. This support has been revived following the recent aggression of Jacob Blake leaving him paralized.
? These protests have come, alongside all the inequalities faced by Black people, in the wake of the devastatingly disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BaME communities in Britain and other parts of the world.
? It is clear that this impact has been made far worse by the structural inequalities Black people face when it comes to health, education and housing amongst the numerous obstacles that Black people encounter daily in the UK.
? BaME people are 54% more likely than white people to be fined under the new coronavirus lockdown laws.
? In the UK, 26% of instances of police using firearms are against Black people, despite Black people making up only 3.3% of the population.
? 51% of young men in custody in the UK are from BaME backgrounds, despite these groups making up only 14% of the UK population.
? Around two thirds of healthcare staff who have died as a result of COVID-19 are from a BaME background whereas they make up 20% of the overall workforce.
The Council notes:
? That Black lives matter as much as all others.
? That George Floyd’s brutal murder must be a catalyst for change across the world.
? That no country, city, police service or institution can absolve itself of the responsibility to do better.
? When the BaME communities will experience economic justice and opportunity, we all benefit. When our democracy works for Black Britain, it is a better democracy for all of us.
? That there is no place for racism or any form of xenophobia or bigotry anywhere in our society.
? That language is a powerful tool for inspiration and change, as well as oppression and ignorance and must be used wisely and respectfully.
? That it is necessary for our national and civic leaders to start an open and respectful conversation about who we are and what we stand for as a community.
? That the national conversation on institutional racism and immigration should be conducted with care for the dignity of people who are vulnerable, who do not have a voice in the public domain, and have to suffer the consequences of inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory language.
? That it is vital all efforts are taken to understand the impact of Covid-19 on BaME communities in South Oxfordshire and that we should work with all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact now and into the future.
? That whist 3.9% of South Oxfordshire population is from a BaME background, that is not matched from the data available by the proportion of staff working at Grade 11 and above. The same is true for elected members of the Council.
? That we must stand together as one.
Council resolves to:
? Show leadership in the campaign to rid our district of bigotry and racism by creating a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will ensure that council is inclusive to BaME and other diverse and hard to reach communities: in its staff recruitment, in its representation and in its service provision
D. Councillor Axel Macdonald moved, and Councillor Celia Wilson seconded the motion as set out in the agenda at agenda item 18
On being put to the vote the motion was declared carried.
RESOLVED: That due to Covid 19 and other pressures, the council is under significant economic pressure to reduce its costs and hence the council will be assessing its asset portfolio to see where cost savings can be made.
One of the council's assets is the Cornerstone in Didcot. This is the jewel in the council's crown providing a much needed and appreciated social and cultural centre.
The council should strive to ensure that the Cornerstone continues to be provided with suitable funding to safeguard its future. Didcot is undergoing significant growth and requires facilities like the Cornerstone to enable the town to offer residents in the town and district cultural opportunities that may not exist anywhere else close by.