The Met Office announced that 2023 was the second warmest year on record for the UK – the warmest was 2022 – in a series stretching back to 1884. The mean temperature was just below 10°C. (The ten warmest years in the UK have all occurred since 2003).
Eight of the 12 months of 2023 were warmer than average for the UK. June and September were particularly warm compared to the average. It was the hottest June on record for the UK by a wide margin (the mean temperature of 15.8°C beat the previous joint record set in 1940 and 1976 by 0.9°C), and the joint-hottest September (with a mean temperature of 15.2°C, 2.2°C higher than the usual temperature).
The Copernicus Climate Change Service have confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record globally (in as series going back to 1850) with an average temperature of 14.98°C - this beat the previous record set in 2016 by 0.17°C. Every month from June to December was warmer than the corresponding month in any previous year – and July and August were the warmest two months on record. 2023 was also the first time on record that every day within a year exceeded 1°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level for that time of year.
The Met Office’s global outlook for 2024 suggests that it could be another record breaker, with experts forecasting that the average temperature could be between 1.34°C and 1.58°C above the average for the pre-industrial period– this is the first time that values of 1.5°C or above cannot be
ruled out. It would also be the eleventh year in succession that temperatures will have reached at least 1.0°C above pre-industrial levels.
From 30 November to 13 December, COP28 was held in the UAE. At the summit, agreement was reached on the need to transition away from energy fossil fuels in energy systems. The agreement does not, however, compel countries to take action, nor does it specify a timescale for this change to occur.
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The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep interest rates at 5.25 per cent at their meetings in November and December. While this marked the third consecutive time that the MPC has held the interest rate, it follows a sustained series of rises which have increased borrowing costs to their highest levels since 2008. The Committee have also made clear that monetary policy (interest
rates) is likely to need to be restrictive for an extended period of time.
During October, HM Government announced that recycling in England will be standardised from 2026. All homes, businesses and schools will recycle the same materials and there will also be a once-a-week minimum requirement for food waste collection.
At the end of October, HM Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Act became law. It is intended to speed up the planning system, hold developers to account, cut bureaucracy, and encourage more councils to put in place plans to enable the building of new homes.
HM Government’s Energy Act 2023 also received Royal Assent in October. The aim of the Act is to transform the UK’s energy system by strengthening energy security, supporting the delivery of net zero and ensuring household bills are affordable in the long-term.
Towards the end of November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer unveiled HM Government’s Autumn Statement. The stated priorities for the package of measures introduced were reducing debt, cutting taxes, rewarding hard work and backing British businesses.
In December, the Department for Levelling Up, Communities, Housing and Local Government published the Local Government Finance Policy Statement 2024-25. This set out HM Government’s intentions for local government finance for the coming year. Under these proposals, the council tax referendum principles for shire district councils will be set at up to 3.0 per cent or £5 – whichever is higher. Within the Policy Statement, HM Government also reiterated that they do not believe that this is the right time to introduce any fundamental reforms to the local government finance landscape.
Oxford City Council published the first draft of its Oxford Local Plan 2040. While this has identified the need for 26,400 more homes in Oxford by 2040, the City Council have only identified where 9,612 of these will be built. Concerns have been raised that this could push more homes into the surrounding districts.
In November, the ONS released their latest mid-year population estimates. This suggested that, as of June 2022, 151,820 people lived within South Oxfordshire (an increase of 1.2 per cent from June 2021).
Q3
Performance Highlights
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Theme
1. Protect and restore the natural world
Key Activity in Q3
TSE Research have now completed the initial stages of their visitor economy research project. A baseline report has been presented to officers and is available on request. TSE Research are scheduled to present a strategic recommendations report during Q4. This will include suggestions for the promotion of the district for tourism, leisure, and wellbeing. South Oxfordshire also continues to be a member of OxLEP’s steering group for development of the Oxfordshire Destination Management Plan – with the intention of ensuring that the steering group’s work complements the council’s own visitor economy strategy.
Economic Development ran an application scheme for round one of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grants programme. 23 applications were received from organisations within South Oxfordshire and included submissions relating to small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas. These are now being assessed and are scheduled to be reviewed by a grant panel in Q4.
Officers from Economic Development have also led conversations within the Food
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Action Working Group regarding proposed mapping, marketing and business development activities linked to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy Action Plan.
During Q3 2023/24, South Oxfordshire arranged the transfer of £51,000 capital for a flood alleviation scheme at Wheatley. (This agreement also includes Environment Agency funding of £120,000 and a separate £29,000 awarded to Oxfordshire County Council). This project will involve the installation of natural flood management measures.
Economic Development have continued to work with the Garden Communities team regarding the use of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding to support small scale green infrastructure in Berinsfield and Didcot.
Theme
2: Openness and accountability
Key Activity in Q3
To maintain and improve the services that the council provides, work continued on scoping how best to utilise the Customer Relationship Management system to automate/improve the council’s garden waste processes and its online enviro-crime reporting.
Officers introduced ‘Join the Conversation’, the council’s new consultation and engagement platform. This should make it easier for residents to contribute/have their say.
The Communications team trialled several social media management systems with the intention of assessing them for potential permanent adoption. They are also continuing to explore the potential opportunities offered by newer social media channels.
South Oxfordshire continued to promote diversity and inclusion through the recognition of events contained within its Diversity and Social Campaign Calendar. Between October and December, the council recognised several religious festivals and occasions (Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas Day), marked a number of significant days (World Homeless Day, World Mental Health Day, White Ribbon Day etc) and celebrated Black History Month.
Also, in Q3, South Oxfordshire ran an all-staff event which featured stalls run by the council’s Diversity and Inclusion Champions, the Wellbeing Group, UNISON and the Climate Team (amongst others). In addition, the council held a free-to-access and very popular Menopause Webinar.
As part of South Oxfordshire’s efforts to champion openness and transparency, it continued to livestream all public meetings (except for the Full Council – due to logistical/IT issues) during Q3. These recordings will remain available on South’s YouTube channel for a year.
South also continued to increase the amount of information that it provides through the data hub section of its website. During Q3 2023/24, the performance management report for Q2 2023/24 was published on South’s website. This is intended to increase the public’s understanding of what the council does, how it works and how decisions are made.
Work has continued on reviewing the council’s Constitution. South Oxfordshire has also introduced a new and improved Annual Governance Statement.
Theme
3: Action on the climate
Key Activity in Q3
During Q3 2023/24, South Oxfordshire applied to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme – Phase 3c for £1,490,475 for decarbonisation measures at Didcot Wave and Park Sports Centre, Wheatley. The council also submitted a bid to the Swimming Pool Support Fund – Phase 2 for the installation of energy efficiency measures and solar PV at the Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield (£157,527) and the Thame Leisure Centre (£160,351).
Work continued on the Cornerstone Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funded project. The council’s consultants (Pellings LLP) are currently working with CX Utilities to engage the Distribution Network Operator in relation to the upgrading of cabling and substations. Once the costs of these improvements have been ascertained, officers will seek authority to proceed with this work. Pellings LLP are also producing the designs for the proposed activities – the council expects to receive these in Q4.
Work started on Stage 1 (as defined by the Royal Institute of British Architects) of the construction project to deliver net zero homes at a council-owned site in Didcot.
This activity included a review of the local requirements for housing need and affordability. Also, in Q3, the council appointed MICA to lead the design team for this development. They are currently engaged in assessing sustainability.
In line with our commitment to mitigate climate change through planning and land use measures, significant progress has continued to be made on the development of the Joint Local Plan. Activities included:
· The Planning Policy team taking the Joint Local Plan Preferred Options through Cabinet and to the Joint Scrutiny Committee.
· An All-Councillor Roundtable meeting on net zero carbon.
· Bioregional (the council’s net zero carbon consultants) completing tasks 1-5 of their commission and preparing a report for publication – this is scheduled for release in Q4.
South Oxfordshire remains involved in shaping and participating in county-wide initiatives through the Future Oxfordshire Partnership (FOP). In this forum, officers and members continue to work for the
realisation of the Good Growth Principles in the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision. During Q3 2023/24, each of FOP’s advisory groups made progress with setting their forward work programmes. These will include activities and items on affordable housing, energy planning and the updating of the Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy (OxIS).
South’s new Air Quality Plan was agreed to by the council’s partners. It is now scheduled to be reviewed by Cabinet in January and by the Licensing Committee in February.
Key Activity in Q3
Work continued on the research study (being undertaken by Oxford Brookes) on understanding the net zero challenge for SMEs in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. The results of this exercise will help to improve the council’s insight regarding the barriers experienced by local businesses in the journey to net zero and what support could potentially be offered to help them achieve their decarbonisation goals. A final report is due in March 2024 and will help to inform South Oxfordshire’s use of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
TSE Research completed the initial stages of their visitor economy research project. A baseline report has been presented to officers and is available on request.
Economic Development ran an application scheme for round one of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grants programme. 23 applications were received from organisations within South Oxfordshire. These submissions are now being assessed and are scheduled to be reviewed by a grant panel in Q4.
Officers from Economic Development continued to assist in the development of the draft Employment Land Needs Assessment for the Joint Local Plan. This work will help to ensure that the assessment and resulting draft policies are relevant to the needs/requirements of the area’s business community.
Economic Development have maintained their connection to the working group overseeing the development of the emerging Strategic Economic Plan for Oxfordshire. Officers have represented the council at meetings and workshops with the purpose of ensuring that the Plan continues to align with South’s objectives.
South Oxfordshire continues to be a member of OxLEP’s steering group for development of the Oxfordshire Destination Management Plan – with the intention of ensuring that the steering group’s work complements the council’s own visitor economy strategy.
South also remains involved in shaping and participating in county-wide initiatives through the Future Oxfordshire Partnership (FOP). In this forum, officers and members
continue to work for the realisation of the Good Growth Principles in the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision. During Q3 2023/24, each of FOP’s advisory groups made progress with setting their forward work programmes. These will include activities and items on affordable housing, energy planning and the updating of the Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy (OxIS).
Throughout the quarter, the Community Hub has continued to work with the voluntary and community sector in response to the cost-of-living crisis (particularly in relation to food initiatives and the provision of support for those in most need).
During Q3, the Community Hub launched the Household Support Fund 4 grants. These will enable organisations to refer residents for financial support to help those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They also started a Food and Warmth Grant Scheme for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.
The council supported the development of local action plans related to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy. Officers from Economic Development have also led conversations within the Food Action Working Group regarding proposed mapping, marketing and business development activities linked to the Oxfordshire Food Strategy Action Plan.
Between October and December, South Oxfordshire continued to take action against fly-tippers. In Q3, the council issued six Fixed Penalty Notices for waste crimes. There was also one prosecution for fly-tipping – a further two prosecutions are pending.
Theme
5: Homes and infrastructure that
Key Activity in Q3
The council recorded three rough sleepers at the end of Q3 2023/24 – a decrease of one on the previous quarter. The low levels of rough sleeping in the district reflects the success of the council’s preventative approach.
The number of homeless households in temporary accommodation (TA) on 31 December 2023 was 22 – a slight increase on the previous quarter reflecting the increasing pressures on the service. The council is forecasting that there will be a record number of approaches for homelessness assistance this year caused by multiple factors including the cost-of-living crisis and the decline in availability of affordable private rented properties.
The rolling six-month average length of stay in emergency accommodation was 37 nights, below the council’s ceiling target of 42 nights.
During Q3 2023/24, the rate of successful homelessness prevention in South Oxfordshire was 71.0 per cent. This was below the very challenging target of 80.0 per cent, but remains significantly above the South East prevention rate of 53.0 per cent. The most likely outcome for households
where homelessness is not prevented is a stay in emergency or temporary accommodation which is both disruptive for the household and expensive for the council.
As part of South Oxfordshire’s commitment to safeguarding and supporting the district’s vulnerable residents the council continues to work closely with partners across Oxfordshire to tackle homelessness and is an active member of the countywide Homelessness Steering Group, the Young Persons Steering Group and the Homelessness Directors Group. Progress is currently being made on the Countywide Homelessness Strategy Action Plan to tackle single person homelessness in Oxfordshire.
With the aim of ensuring that new homes and infrastructure meet local needs, are sustainable, zero carbon and high quality in design, significant progress has continued to be made on the development of the Joint Local Plan. Activities included:
· The Planning Policy team taking the Joint Local Plan Preferred Options through Cabinet and to the Joint Scrutiny Committee
· An All-Councillor Roundtable meeting on net zero carbon.
· Bioregional (the council’s net zero carbon consultants) completing tasks 1-5 of their commission and preparing a report for publication – this is scheduled for release in Q4.
The Didcot Wayfinding Strategy, the Green Infrastructure Strategy and the Public Arts Plan are now in their final draft stages. They are scheduled to be considered by the Cabinet during Q4.
Pre-planning application discussions took place between South Oxfordshire and Ptargmigan to support the masterplanning and outline application process for Berinsfield Garden Village. Also, in Q3, officers secured UK Shared Prosperity Funding to advance a number of capital projects in Berinsfield and to further key priorities around placemaking and facilities.
As part of the council’s efforts to prioritise active travel and to make sure that new developments are accessible, the Didcot Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan was formally approved. This document outlines a variety of schemes to improve the overall active travel network within Didcot and the surrounding areas.
In order to help ensure that new and existing buildings are zero-carbon in their operation, the Climate team held an online town and parish forum on retrofitting domestic properties to improve their energy efficiency. Information was also given about the support that the county and district councils can offer on this topic.
To
help deliver on South Oxfordshire’s commitment to providing
homes that people can afford to live in, work started on Stage 1
(as defined by the Royal Institute of British Architects) of the
construction project to deliver net zero homes at a council-owned
site in Didcot. This activity included a review of the local
requirements for housing need and affordability. Also, in Q3,
the council appointed MICA to lead the design team for this
development. They are currently engaged in assessing
sustainability.
Key Activity in Q3
South Oxfordshire continued with its budget setting activity for 2024/25. Both officer-led and member-led budget challenge exercises were held on selected areas of activity. These reviewed and assessed the council’s income budgets.
Innovate UK - Net Zero Fast Followers - offered funding for a bid submitted in February 2023. The council is liaising with Innovate UK around the details of the funding offer, which could include a training programme to support journey to net zero carbon and a research project for nature-based solutions to carbon offsetting.
Also, in Q3, South (in
conjunction with the Vale) was awarded £89,050 from
the
Planning Skills Delivery Fund. This will be used to provide online and in-person training to upskill the existing Planning and Planning Policy teams.
In addition, work has been undertaken on a proposal to Innovate UK for a research project to trial electric refuse collection vehicle for recycling and household waste. This application is scheduled for submission in Q4.
South Oxfordshire applied to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme – Phase 3c for £1,490,475 for decarbonisation measures at Didcot Wave and Park Sports Centre, Wheatley. The council also submitted a bid to the Swimming Pool Support Fund – Phase 2 for the installation of energy efficiency measures and solar PV at the Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield (£157,527) and the Thame Leisure Centre (£160,351).
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