Agenda, decisions and minutes

15. The Granting of a New Lease at 36/37 Bridge Street, Banbury.

Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill, Other Registerable Interest, as a trustee of Banbury Charities and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillor Ian Harwood, Other Registerable Interest, as a trustee of Banbury Charities and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillor Rob Pattenden, Other Registerable Interest, as a trustee of Banbury Charities and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

To receive communications from the Chair and/or the Leader of the Council.

Chairman’s Engagements

A copy of the events attended by the Chair or the Vice-Chair was published with the agenda.

The Chair advised that she would be attending the funeral procession of Firefighter Martyn Sadler the following week. The Vice-Chair attended the funeral procession of Firefighter Jennie Logan. The Firefighters had sadly lost their lives at the tragic fire at Bicester Motion in May.

In support of the Chair’s Charity, Homeless Oxfordshire, together with Councillor McLean and Councillor Chris Brant, she would be participating in the Oxford CEO Sleepout. This was an annual event to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis across Oxfordshire, as well as raise funds for local homeless charities and projects.

That Chair reported that she had also visited O’Hanlon House, operated by Homeless Oxfordshire, which was the largest provider of accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in Oxfordshire as well as a wide range of specialist support services

The Chair advised that her Charity lunch would take place on 30 November. Further details would be circulated in due course.

Meeting Etiquette

The Chair reminded Members that all requests to address the meeting should be through the Chair. Members should remain in their seat during items and, if needed, she  would adjourn the meeting to allow for a comfort break at a suitable point. 

Members’ Pigeon Holes

Members were reminded to check their pigeon hole and take any post.

The Chair to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

Addresses may be presented by:

·       A Local Government elector for the area,

·       A person who is wholly or mainly resident in the area,

·       A Council Taxpayer or National Non-Domestic Ratepayer for the area

Addresses must be on an item on the agenda before the meeting and not exceed 5 minutes. No person may address more than one meeting on any particular issue.

Requests to address the meeting (including the agenda item and reason for the address) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk  The deadline for requests to address this meeting is noon on Friday 18 July.

The deadline to present a petition to this meeting has passed.

Full details of public participation at meetings is available in the Constitution.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Annual Council held on 21 May 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

a)       Minutes of Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the 28 day notice

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Portfolio Holder Decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting of Council at which this was reported, 16 December 2024, no key and/or exempt decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the 28 day notice.

b)       Minutes of Committees

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of committees as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received.

a)              Minutes of the Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive and Portfolio Holder decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council at which it was reported, on 16 December 2024, no decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the 28 day notice.

b)              Minutes of Committees

Resolved

That the minutes of Committees as set out in the Minute Book be received.

a)       Written Questions

          No written questions have been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution. The deadline for written questions has now passed.

b)       Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chair to invite questions to the Leader of the Council (including any matters arising from the minutes). Members are encouraged, but not required, to notify the Democratic and Elections Team, democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, in advance of the meeting of any question(s) they wish to ask the Leader.

Following a response to their question being provided Members will be entitled to a follow up or supplementary question.

c)       Questions to Committee Chairs on the Minutes

The Chair to invite questions to Chairs of Committees on any matter arising from the minutes of their Committee (if any).

a) Written Questions

There were no written questions.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Councillor Cherry: Renewal of fencing by The Hill Community Centre

Councillor Dr Okeke: Initiative to address anti-social behaviour in Banbury Ruscote       

Councillor Clarke: Support to employees of JDE, Banbury  

Councillor Parsons: Use of additional Government funding to support implementation of the Temporary Accommodation Policy

Councillor Watkins: Attendance at All Member Seminars

Councillor Sibley: Review to introduce 2-hour free parking in CDC operated car parks in Bicester

Councillor Crichton: Adoption of the Hanwell Fields Landscaping Area, “Y5” by Cherwell District Council

Councillor Sibley: A4095 Realigned Howes Lane Bicester    

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

There were no questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes of meetings.

** Due to the size of the documents, to assist access, the appendices are published as a series of supplements to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To present the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 (draft) and to seek approval for its submission to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent examination.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1           To approve:-

a)    the submission of the Local Plan at Appendix 1 to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent examination with all necessary prescribed and supporting documents; and

b)    the Schedule of Proposed Changes and Minor Modifications to the Proposed Submission Local Plan draft of the Cherwell Local Plan Review presented at Appendix 2.

1.2           To note:-

a)    the responses to the consultation on the Proposed Submission Local Plan draft of the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 summarised in the Statement of Consultation at Appendix 6;

b)    the supporting documents relevant to the preparation of the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 presented at Appendices 3 to 9 and available online at https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/local-plan-review-2042-submission .

Resolved

(1)            That the submission of the Local Plan (Appendix 1 to the report) to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent examination with all necessary prescribed and supporting documents be approved.

(2)            That the Schedule of Proposed Changes and Minor Modifications to the Proposed Submission Local Plan draft of the Cherwell Local Plan Review (Appendix 2 to the report) be approved.

(3)            That the responses to the consultation on the Proposed Submission Local Plan draft of the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 summarised in the Statement of Consultation (Appendix 6 to the report) be noted.

(4)            That the supporting documents relevant to the preparation of the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 (Appendices 3 to 9 and available online at https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/local-plan-review-2042-submission) be noted.

The Assistant Director Planning and Development submitted a report to present the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 (draft) and to seek approval for its submission to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent examination. Executive has considered and had recommended Council approve the submission of the Plan at its meeting on 1 July 2025.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development, Councillor Conway, explained that the adopted Local Plan was the main part of the statutory Development Plan, the starting point for considering development proposals. The review of the Cherwell Local Plan had commenced in 2020 with three public consultations were undertaken prior to the publication of the Proposed Submission Local Plan in December 2024. Following Executive approval in December 2024, consultation on the Proposed Submission Local Plan commenced on 19 December 2024 and closed on 25 February 2025.

The 345 consultation responses had been considered by officers in reviewing whether the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042 (the ‘Plan’) was 'sound' and legally compliant, the tests of the independent examination of the Plan started when the Proposed Submission Local Plan was submitted.

The view of officers was that the Plan was sound but that a number of 'proposed changes' and 'minor modifications' should be suggested to the examining inspector(s) in the interests of its improvement, clarification and updating and to address minor presentational, grammatical and typographical issues.

In considering the report, Members commended all council officers involved in the Local Plan process and the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development for their work on the Local Plan as well as the cross party working through the Member Advisory Group and Group Leaders to reach submission stage for a sound Plan.

Councillor Wood proposed that a recorded vote be taken. This was duly seconded by Councillor Mawer. Having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was taken. Members voted as follows:

Councillor Fiaz Ahmed                 For

Councillor Rebecca Biegel           For

Councillor Chris Brant                  For

Councillor Besmira Brasha           For

Councillor John Broad                 For

Councillor Phil Chapman             For

Councillor Mark Cherry                For

Councillor Becky Clarke MBE       For

Councillor Jean Conway              For

Councillor Gemma Coton             For

Councillor Nick Cotter                  For

Councillor Dr Isabel Creed           For

Councillor Andrew Crichton          For

Councillor Dr Henry Elugwu         For

Councillor Donna Ford                 Abstain

Councillor Ian Harwood                For

Councillor David Hingley              For

Councillor Frank Ideh                  For

Councillor Harry Knight                For

Councillor Simon Lytton               For

Councillor Nick Mawer                 For

Councillor Fiona Mawson             For

Councillor Lesley McLean            For

Councillor Zoe McLernon             For

Councillor Ian Middleton              For

Councillor Julian Nedelcu             For

Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke     For

Councillor Lynne Parsons            For

Councillor Rob Pattenden            For

Councillor Chris Pruden               For

Councillor Edward F Reeves        For

Councillor David Rogers              For

Councillor Alisa Russell               For

Councillor Les Sibley                   For

Councillor Nigel Simpson             Abstain

Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill        For

Councillor Dorothy Walker           For

Councillor Linda Ward                 For

Councillor Amanda Watkins         For

Councillor John Willett                 For

Councillor Barry Wood                 For

Resolved

(1)            That the submission of the Local Plan to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Report of Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety

Purpose of report

Draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy, amendments made following consultation on the policy from 12 January to 14 February 2025. The Policy was considered and approved by the Licensing Acts Committee on 9 July 2025, which recommended it to Council for adoption.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1           To approve the draft policy for adoption and publication by Cherwell District Council.

Resolved

(1)            That the draft Gambling Act Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 be approved for adoption and publication by Cherwell District Council be approved.

The Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety submitted a report which sought approval of the draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy.

Consultation on the draft Policy was undertaken from 12 January 2025 until 14 February 2025. All representations received were considered and some amendments made to the draft Policy post consultation. The Policy was considered and approved by the Licensing Acts Committee on 9 July 2025, which recommended it to Council for adoption.

Resolved

(1)            That the draft Gambling Act Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 be approved for adoption and publication by Cherwell District Council be approved.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (S151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To provide information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2024-25 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

To demonstrate that all treasury management activities undertaken during the reporting period complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy.

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee considered and recommended this report to Council at their meeting of 28 May 2025.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1           To note the contents of this Treasury Management Annual Performance Report and the Capital Prudential indicators attached in appendix 1.

Resolved

(1)            That the Treasury Management Annual Performance Report and the Capital Prudential indicators be noted.

The Assistant Director Finance (S151 Officer) submitted a report to provide information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2024-25 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

The report demonstrated that all treasury management activities undertaken during the reporting period complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy.

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee had considered and recommended this report to Council at their meeting of 28 May 2025.

Resolved

(1)            That the Treasury Management Annual Performance Report and the Capital Prudential indicators be noted.

Report of Assistant Director Law & Governance/Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

For Council to consider and note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2024-25.

 
Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1           To note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2024-25.

Resolved

(1)            That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2024-25 be noted.

The Assistant Director Law & Governance/Monitoring Officer submitted a report for Council to consider and note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for the 2024-25 municipal year.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Hingley, thanked the Overview and Scrutiny for their work and valuable contributions during 2024-25.

Resolved

(1)            That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2024-25 be noted.

To note amendment(s), if any, to Committee membership notified to the Monitoring Officer by Group Leaders.

There were no changes to Committee membership.

The Chair advised that the Monitoring Officer had been not been notified of any changes to Committee membership by Group Leaders.

The following item of business contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3                 Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public. In making the decision, Members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of council officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Resolved

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt report of Assistant Director Property

Recommendation agreed as set out in the exempt report.

The Assistant Director Property submitted an exempt report in respect of the granting of a new lease at 36/37 Bridge Street, Banbury.

Resolved

(1)            As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Council to resolve to readmit the press and public to the meeting.

Resolved

That the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

To debate the following motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Constitution (to be debated in the order submitted).

Please note that the deadline to submit motions has passed. The deadline for Members to submit amendments to motions is noon on Thursday 17 July. No amendments will be permitted after this deadline.

Any amendments submitted will be published as a supplement to the agenda on the afternoon of Friday 18 July. Amendments for motions will be dealt with in the order submitted. 

Resolved

(1)            That the following motion, as amended by a friendly amendment, be agreed:

“The Office for National Statistics data suggests that the average house price in Cherwell is £362,000 in December 2024, a 9% rise in cost since December 2023.

The cost of housing means that for many young people the costs are too high to realistically get on the housing ladder. Rents in the District are also extremely high, in December 2024 the average cost was £1215 up from £1121 in December 2023, making even renting in the district unaffordable for many residents

Cherwell District Council has an ever-increasing housing waiting list, which has increased by 10% in the last year alone. The waiting times are significant ranging from 243 days for 1-bedroom properties to 991 days for 4-bedroom properties, leaving many families waiting up to several years for appropriate accommodation.

In the last financial year alone, the council has spent £332,800 on housing residents in temporary accommodation. The need for housing in Cherwell is greater than ever.

This Council resolves that Cherwell District Council declares it has an affordable and social housing emergency and recognizes that the way forward is to focus on housing delivery in the context of the emerging Local Plan 2042, the approved housing strategy 2025-30 and the housing delivery action plan.”

For information, having been proposed, seconded and responded to by the Leader, the motions “Primary Care Facilities in North Oxfordshire” and “Government Review of Local Authority Funding” were referred to Executive.  

The Chair advised that three motions had been submitted. The motion “Cherwell Affordable Housing Emergency” was deferred from the cancelled March Council meeting. One amendment had been accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer. A further amendment had been submitted. In line with the Constitution no further amendments were now permitted.

The motions “Primary Care Facilities in North Oxfordshire” and “Government Review of Local Authority Funding” would be dealt with in accordance with Procedure Rule 4.18, the revised procedure agreed at the May Annual Council meeting. In accordance with the procedure, the proposer of the motion would propose the motion and address Council, the seconder would confirm their seconding, and the Leader, Councillor Hingley, would respond to the motion. They would then be referred to Executive for consideration as the detail of the motions fell within the remit of Executive.

Motion One: Cherwell Affordable Housing Emergency

It was proposed by Councillor Creed and seconded by Councillor Crichton that the following motion, as amended by a friendly amendment, be adopted.

“The Office for National Statistics data suggests that the average house price in Cherwell is £362,000 in December 2024, a 9% rise in cost since December 2023.

The cost of housing means that for many young people the costs are too high to realistically get on the housing ladder. Rents in the District are also extremely high, in December 2024 the average cost was £1215 up from £1121 in December 2023, making even renting in the district unaffordable for many residents

Cherwell District Council has an ever-increasing housing waiting list, which has increased by 10% in the last year alone. The waiting times are significant ranging from 243 days for 1-bedroom properties to 991 days for 4-bedroom properties, leaving many families waiting up to several years for appropriate accommodation.

In the last financial year alone, the council has spent £332,800 on housing residents in temporary accommodation. The need for housing in Cherwell is greater than ever.

This Council resolves that Cherwell District Council declares it has an affordable and social housing emergency and recognizes that the way forward is to focus on housing delivery in the context of the emerging Local Plan 2042, the approved housing strategy 2025-30 and the housing delivery action plan.”

The Monitoring Officer advised that the further amendment to the motion had been withdrawn by the amendment proposer and would therefore not be debated by Council.

The motion, as amended by the friendly amendment, was debated. On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

Motion Two: Primary Care Facilities in North Oxfordshire

Councillor Rogers proposed and presented the following motion, which was duly seconded by Councillor Reeves. Councillor Hingley, Leader of the Council, responded to the motion.

“This Council considers that more needs to be done to expand and improve Primary Care facilities across North Oxfordshire.

Following a productive cross-party meeting between members and representatives of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), together with a careful review of representations from local stakeholders in recent weeks,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.