To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38.
1. Motion to be proposed by Councillor Ian White, seconded by Councillor Lynn Lloyd
Council asks that the Leader of Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire MP, and the Minister for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, confirming this council’s support for the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Statement that ‘ following consultation, the government will use the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate biodiversity net gain for development in England ensuring that the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense of vital biodiversity.’
2. Motion to be proposed by Councillor Bill Service, seconded by Councillor Jane Murphy
Council notes and welcomes the significant funding announced for infrastructure and economic activity across Science Vale in the Chancellor’s recent Spring Statement.
The Housing and Infrastructure Fund funding for the Science Bridge in Didcot, the enhanced link between Didcot and the Milton interchange, a new Thames crossing to better link Didcot to Culham and beyond and the Clifton Hampden bypass will deliver once in a generation improvements to our transport infrastructure. The Housing Infrastructure Funding of £218million is not just about motorised transport though, it will also support enhanced cycle and foot travel as an integral part of these developments and this approach is fully supported by Council.
The combined funding announcements, totalling over £350million, are a strong and clear statement of support for the needs of South Oxfordshire residents by Government and the Leader is asked to write to Government confirming our support.
3. Motion to be proposed by Councillor Felix Bloomfield, seconder to be notified
Council notes that:
a) the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;
b) all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;
c) districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;
d) Council has already shown foresight when it comes to addressing the issue of Climate Change, having signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2007. Between 2008 and 2013, this council collaborated with the Carbon Trust, to produce a Carbon Management Plan which set out how the council planned to reduce energy and fuel use in its own buildings and vehicles. All of this has led to a 28% drop in greenhouse gas emissions up to 2018;
e) notes that work has commenced on a review of the council’s Carbon Management Plan in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Energy Strategy, with the aim of bringing a report to Cabinet as soon as possible, and no later than Autumn 2019, the review to come forward to include the feasibility of adopting an early carbon neutral target for South Oxfordshire.
In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:
1. Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency.
2. Ask the leader to write to the Secretary of State to seek confirmation of the Government’s intention to work with local government on climate change strategies.
3. Ask that as officers, as per the council’s policies, are currently reviewing policy and strategies, that specific consideration be given to how policies, and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible. As far as possible, the reporting templates for Council, Cabinet and committees to be amended to include an ‘Environmental Impact’ section.
4. Ask officers to provide the cost and availability of the most appropriate training options for members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for future consideration by Cabinet.
5. Request the Cabinet member for environment to bring to council a report on the activities of the Oxfordshire Environmental Partnership, of which South Oxfordshire is a member.
6. Continues the positive collaborative work with partners across the district, county and wider region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.
Minutes:
1. Motion moved by Councillor White and seconded by Councillor Lloyd
“Council asks that the Leader of Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire MP, and the Minister for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, confirming this council’s support for the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Statement that ‘ following consultation, the government will use the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate biodiversity net gain for development in England ensuring that the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense of vital biodiversity”.
RESOLVED:
THAT Council asks that the Leader of Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire MP, and the Minister for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, confirming this council’s support for the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Statement that ‘ following consultation, the government will use the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate biodiversity net gain for development in England ensuring that the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense of vital biodiversity.
2. Motion moved by Councillor Service and seconded by Councillor Murphy
“Council notes and welcomes the significant funding announced for infrastructure and economic activity across Science Vale in the Chancellor’s recent Spring Statement.
The Housing and Infrastructure Fund funding for the Science Bridge in Didcot, the enhanced link between Didcot and the Milton interchange, a new Thames crossing to better link Didcot to Culham and beyond and the Clifton Hampden bypass will deliver once in a generation improvements to our transport infrastructure. The Housing Infrastructure Funding of £218million is not just about motorised transport though, it will also support enhanced cycle and foot travel as an integral part of these developments and this approach is fully supported by Council.
The combined funding announcements, totalling over £350million, are a strong and clear statement of support for the needs of South Oxfordshire residents by Government and the Leader is asked to write to Government confirming our support”.
Councillors welcomed the infrastructure funding and the joint working between partners which had supported the bid.
RESOLVED:
That Council notes and welcomes the significant funding announced for infrastructure and economic activity across Science Vale in the Chancellor’s recent Spring Statement.
The Housing and Infrastructure Fund funding for the Science Bridge in Didcot, the enhanced link between Didcot and the Milton interchange, a new Thames crossing to better link Didcot to Culham and beyond and the Clifton Hampden bypass will deliver once in a generation improvements to our transport infrastructure. The Housing Infrastructure Funding of £218million is not just about motorised transport though, it will also support enhanced cycle and foot travel as an integral part of these developments and this approach is fully supported by Council.
The combined funding announcements, totalling over £350million, are a strong and clear statement of support for the needs of South Oxfordshire residents by Government and the Leader is asked to write to Government confirming our support.
3. Motion moved by Councillor Bloomfield and seconded by Councillor White
“Council notes that:
a) the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;
b) all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;
c) districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;
d) Council has already shown foresight when it comes to addressing the issue of Climate Change, having signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2007. Between 2008 and 2013, this council collaborated with the Carbon Trust, to produce a Carbon Management Plan which set out how the council planned to reduce energy and fuel use in its own buildings and vehicles. All of this has led to a 28% drop in greenhouse gas emissions up to 2018;
e) notes that work has commenced on a review of the council’s Carbon Management Plan in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Energy Strategy, with the aim of bringing a report to Cabinet as soon as possible, and no later than Autumn 2019, the review to come forward to include the feasibility of adopting an early carbon neutral target for South Oxfordshire.
In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:
1. Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency.
2. Ask the leader to write to the Secretary of State to seek confirmation of the Government’s intention to work with local government on climate change strategies.
3. Ask that as officers, as per the council’s policies, are currently reviewing policy and strategies, that specific consideration be given to how policies, and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible. As far as possible, the reporting templates for Council, Cabinet and committees to be amended to include an ‘Environmental Impact’ section.
4. Ask officers to provide the cost and availability of the most appropriate training options for members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for future consideration by Cabinet.
5. Request the Cabinet member for environment to bring to council a report on the activities of the Oxfordshire Environmental Partnership, of which South Oxfordshire is a member.
6. Continues the positive collaborative work with partners across the district, county and wider region to deliver widespread carbon reductions”.
An amendment, set out below, moved by Councillor Cooper and seconded by Councillor Turner, on being put was declared lost.
To set up a working group of members, supporting by officers, to consider ways of raising awareness and engaging residents in combating climate change and to modify our activities to reduce the negative effects of our behaviour.
RESOLVED: That
Council notes that:
a) the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;
b) all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;
c) districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;
d) Council has already shown foresight when it comes to addressing the issue of Climate Change, having signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2007. Between 2008 and 2013, this council collaborated with the Carbon Trust, to produce a Carbon Management Plan which set out how the council planned to reduce energy and fuel use in its own buildings and vehicles. All of this has led to a 28% drop in greenhouse gas emissions up to 2018;
e) notes that work has commenced on a review of the council’s Carbon Management Plan in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Energy Strategy, with the aim of bringing a report to Cabinet as soon as possible, and no later than Autumn 2019, the review to come forward to include the feasibility of adopting an early carbon neutral target for South Oxfordshire.
In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:
1. Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency.
2. Ask the leader to write to the Secretary of State to seek confirmation of the Government’s intention to work with local government on climate change strategies.
3. Ask that as officers, as per the council’s policies, are currently reviewing policy and strategies, that specific consideration be given to how policies, and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible. As far as possible, the reporting templates for Council, Cabinet and committees to be amended to include an ‘Environmental Impact’ section.
4. Ask officers to provide the cost and availability of the most appropriate training options for members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for future consideration by Cabinet.
5. Request the Cabinet member for environment to bring to council a report on the activities of the Oxfordshire Environmental Partnership, of which South Oxfordshire is a member.
6. Continue the positive collaborative work with partners across the district, county and wider region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.