Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Barlow, Bearder, James-Lawrie, Mohammed, Sadler and Simpson.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Council minutes of the meeting held on 11 July and the special meetings held on 17 July and 19 September 2024. 

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2024 and the special meetings held on 17 July and 18 September 2024 as correct records and agree that the Chair sign them as such.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair. 

The Chair advised that she had agreed to take an item of urgent business to allow Council to consider the Cabinet recommendation to extend the current contract for the management of the car park service with Saba Park Services UK Limited for two years until 30 September 2027. The reason for urgency was that any extension to the contract needed to be agreed before 31 October 2024.

The Chair welcomed Nick Bennett, Head of Legal and Democratic and Monitoring Officer, to the council.

She also noted that Councillor Ben Manning had resigned as a member for the Cholsey Ward and that a notice of vacancy had been posted.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

The Chair advised that two members of the public had registered to address Council in support of their petition – see minute 37.

To receive any petitions from the public. 

Jo Lazarus and Jane Lovering addressed Council in support of their petition urging the council to promote plant-based eating as part of the efforts to address the climate crisis.

The petition called on the council to:

1.    Ensure that plant-based menus are available wherever the council has influence (e.g. civic events, leisure centres, public cafes), giving priority to ingredients that are locally sourced using nature-friendly principles.

2.    Develop outreach to South Oxfordshire residents and businesses to provide information on the impact of food on environmental impacts and health outcomes.

3.    Inspire, promote and support initiatives towards sustainable, nature-friendly food production practices.

4.    Remove meat and dairy advertising wherever the council has influence.

The Chair thanked the petition organisers and advised that the petition would be dealt with in accordance with the council’s petition scheme.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet member for planning, made on 11 October 2024, regarding the neighbourhood plan for Beckley & Stowood following the referendum held on 5 September 2024.

The Individual Cabinet Member Decision is attached.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. To make the Beckley & Stowood Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2. To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planningand in agreement with the Qualifying Body – Beckley & Stowood Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

Council considered the recommendation of Councillor Simpson, Cabinet member for planning, to make the Beckley & Stowood Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the development plan for South Oxfordshire.

In the absence of Councillor Simpson, Councillor Heritage introduced the item and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED: to

1.    To make the Beckley & Stowood Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2.    To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planning and in agreement with the Qualifying Body -  Beckley & Stowood Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet member for planning, made on 14 October 2024, regarding the neighbourhood plan for Binfield Heath following the referendum held on 5 September 2024.

The Individual Cabinet Member Decision is attached.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. To make the Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2. To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planningand in agreement with the Qualifying Body – Binfield Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

Council considered the recommendation of Councillor Simpson, Cabinet member for planning, to make the Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the development plan for South Oxfordshire.

In the absence of Councillor Simpson, Councillor Heritage introduced the item and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED: to

1.    To make the Binfield Heath Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2.    To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planning and in agreement with the Qualifying Body -  Binfield Heath Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet member for planning, made on 14 October 2024, regarding the neighbourhood plan for Clifton Hampden following the referendum held on 5 September 2024.

The Individual Cabinet Member Decision is attached.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. To make the Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2. To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planningand in agreement with the Qualifying Body – Clifton Hampden Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

Council considered the recommendation of Councillor Simpson, Cabinet member for planning, to make the Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the development plan for South Oxfordshire.

In the absence of Councillor Simpson, Councillor Heritage introduced the item and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED: to

1.    To make the Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2.    To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planning and in agreement with the Qualifying Body -  Clifton Hampden Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet member for planning, made on 14 October 2024, regarding the neighbourhood plan for Garsington following the referendum held on 5 September 2024.

The Individual Cabinet Member Decision is attached.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. To make the Garsington Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2. To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planningand in agreement with the Qualifying Body – Garsington Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

Council considered the recommendation of Councillor Simpson, Cabinet member for planning, to make the Garsington Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the development plan for South Oxfordshire.

In the absence of Councillor Simpson, Councillor Heritage introduced the item and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED: to

1.    To make the Garsington Neighbourhood Development Plan, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2.    To authorise the head of policy and programmes, in consultation with the Cabinet member for planning and in agreement with the Qualifying Body -  Garsington Parish Council, to correct any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 17 October, will consider the report of the head of finance on the outturn performance of the treasury management function for the financial year 2023/24.

The report of the head of finance, which the Joint Audit and Governance Committee considered on 15 October 2024 and Cabinet will consider on 17 October, is attached.

Cabinet’s recommendations will be circulated prior to the Council meeting.

Council considered the head of finance’s report on the treasury management outturn for 2023/24 and Cabinet’s recommendations made at its meeting on 17 October 2024.  The Cabinet member for finance reported that the outturn report had also been considered by the Joint Audit and Governance Committee and Cabinet, both of which were satisfied that the treasury activities during 2023/24 had been carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy.  The outturn figure had been better than expected, partly due to continued high interest rates.  Performance had exceeded expectations and there had been no breaches of the counterparty limits or the prudential indicators.  He reported an error in the report in paragraph 11 of appendix C which stated that the CCLA had a performance of -3.9 per cent rather than the correct figure of 1.07 per cent as set out in the table in paragraph 9.

In response to a question regarding the perceived delay in the report coming forward, officers responded that there was no timeline requirements and the report needed to be considered by both the Joint Audit and Governance Committee and Cabinet with recommendations coming forward to Council. 

RESOLVED to:

1.    approve the treasury management outturn report 2023/24; and

2.    approve the actual 2023/24 prudential indicators within the report of the head of finance to the Council meeting on 24 October 2024. 

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting held on 17 October 2024, on the future management of the car park service from 1 October 2025.

The majority of members supported Cabinet’s recommendation to extend the contract recognising that the contract had performed well, that officer resources were limited and needed to be focussed on the larger and more reputational contracts up for renewal, and that an extension would allow time to carry out a more in-depth review of the options including the location and provision of car parks. However, a number of members expressed concern that the option to extend had been made so close to the deadline for renewal without any opportunity for the options to be properly scrutinised. Others expressed concern regarding the management of the timeline for the contract  deadline and renewal dates, which gave the impression that the council was not on top of the contract. 

RESOLVED: to

1.    extend the current contract with Saba Park Services UK Limited (Saba) for two years, until 30 September 2027, as a shared service with the Vale of White Horse District Council;

2.    authorise the head of development and corporate landlord, in consultation with the Cabinet member for finance and property assets, to finalise and sign the contractual arrangements.

To receive the report of the leader of the council.

Councillor Rouane, Leader of the council, provided an update on a number of matters. The text of his address is available on the council’s website.     

To receive the attached update report.

Council noted the Future Oxfordshire Partnership update report attached to the agenda for the Council meeting held on 24 October 2024.

No questions were submitted by councillors. 

No questions on notice were submitted by members.

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38. 

A.   Motion to be proposed by Councillor Robb and seconded by Councillor Barlow

This Council notes:

The Water Industry Act 1991 gives government the power to place water companies into Special Administration where they are either in financial distress or have breached their licence or statutory duties to a degree that makes it inappropriate for the company to continue operating.

Sewage treatment works in South Oxfordshire have released untreated sewage into the River Thames or its tributaries for more than 15,500 hours so far this year. Almost two thirds – 157 - of all Thames Water’s sewage treatment works are potentially non-compliant with their permits.

Thames Water loses around one quarter of its drinking water to its own leaks.

The company is struggling to service its £18bn debt mountain and this year has had its debt downgraded to “junk” by credit ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

This council:

1.    Declares it has no confidence in Thames Water;

2.    Calls on government to exercise its powers under the Water Industry Act 1991, and place Thames Water and other failing water companies in Special Administration to protect the public interest;

3.    Calls on government to end the failed experiment of privatisation and bring Thames Water back into public control;

4.    Supports calls by grassroots campaign organisations to amend the Water (Special Measures) Bill currently progressing through Parliament to:

·       Stop the public bailout of the water industry proposed under s10 of the Bill;

·       Reform the duties of Ofwat to be for the interests of the public and nature;

·       Re-democratise water by having employees, billpayers and council appointees on the boards of all water companies in England.

B.   Motion to be proposed by Councillor Giles, seconder to be notified

This Council notes that:

1.        Pubs across the UK are closing at an alarming rate, estimated to be around 80 per month, owing to a combination of economic, regulatory, and social factors.

2.        Rising costs, including taxes, energy costs, and business rates, significantly reduce the sustainability of pubs, particularly impacting smaller, independent establishments.

3.        Complex licensing and bureaucratic requirements can create additional burdens for pubs, which could be exacerbated by overzealous Government public health requirements.

4.        Property speculators often target pub buildings for redevelopment, leading to the loss of vital community spaces.

5.        According to South Oxfordshire CAMRA, across England, nominations for assets of community value have a success rate of 83%, yet for the five years to October 2023 this figure was just 26% in South Oxfordshire, although it has improved over the past year.

This Council believes that:

1.        Pubs are a crucial part of the UK’s cultural heritage and community life, providing important social hubs and combating loneliness.

2.        Pubs are significant employers, particularly for young people and those in rural areas, as well as contributing to the local economy from their supply chain.

3.        Comprehensive action is needed to support pubs in South Oxfordshire and mitigate the financial  ...  view the full agenda text for item 47.

Council considered the following motions.

A.   Motion to be proposed by Councillor Robb moved and Councillor Powell seconded the motion as set out on the agenda at agenda item 15 A

Following debate, the motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED:

That Council notes:

The Water Industry Act 1991 gives government the power to place water companies into Special Administration where they are either in financial distress or have breached their licence or statutory duties to a degree that makes it inappropriate for the company to continue operating.

Sewage treatment works in South Oxfordshire have released untreated sewage into the River Thames or its tributaries for more than 15,500 hours so far this year. Almost two thirds – 157 - of all Thames Water’s sewage treatment works are potentially non-compliant with their permits.

Thames Water loses around one quarter of its drinking water to its own leaks.

The company is struggling to service its £18bn debt mountain and this year has had its debt downgraded to “junk” by credit ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

This council:

1.    Declares it has no confidence in Thames Water;

2.    Calls on government to exercise its powers under the Water Industry Act 1991, and place Thames Water and other failing water companies in Special Administration to protect the public interest;

3.    Calls on government to end the failed experiment of privatisation and bring Thames Water back into public control;

4.    Supports calls by grassroots campaign organisations to amend the Water (Special Measures) Bill currently progressing through Parliament to:

·       Stop the public bailout of the water industry proposed under s10 of the Bill;

·       Reform the duties of Ofwat to be for the interests of the public and nature;

·       Re-democratise water by having employees, billpayers and council appointees on the boards of all water companies in England.

B.   Councillor Giles moved, and Councillor Rawlins seconded the motion as set out on the agenda at agenda item 15 B with the deletion of the following from the Council resolves section:

6.Appoint a Council ‘Pub champion’ to engage with community groups, pub owners, and industry representatives, to ensure the development of comprehensive plans which support the long-term viability of pubs in South Oxfordshire.

 Following debate, the motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED:

THAT this Council notes that:

1.        Pubs across the UK are closing at an alarming rate, estimated to be around 80 per month, owing to a combination of economic, regulatory, and social factors.

2.        Rising costs, including taxes, energy costs, and business rates, significantly reduce the sustainability of pubs, particularly impacting smaller, independent establishments.

3.        Complex licensing and bureaucratic requirements can create additional burdens for pubs, which could be exacerbated by overzealous Government public health requirements.

4.        Property speculators often target pub buildings for redevelopment, leading to the loss of vital community spaces.

5.        According to South Oxfordshire CAMRA, across England, nominations for assets of community value have a success rate of 83%, yet for the five years to October 2023 this figure was just 26% in South  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.