Agenda item

To receive the following motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Constitution (to be considered in the order submitted). Please note that the deadline to submit motions has passed.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.18, as the detail of both submitted motions fall within the remit of Executive, there will be no Council debate on the motions. 

The proposer of the motion will propose the motion, the seconder will confirm, the Leader of the Council response and the motions will stand referred to Executive for consideration.

The Chair advised that two motions had been submitted. In accordance with Procedure Rule 4.18, as the detail of both submitted motions fell within the remit of Executive, there would be no Council debate on the motions. 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. The motions would then be referred to Executive for consideration.

Motion One: Supporting young women’s community action for safe public spaces

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

“Young women in Cherwell District have reported long-standing concerns related to their right to be free and safe in public spaces, especially after dark. In 2025, local women have started organising, both formally and informally, to put a stop to gender-targeted harassment and assaults. Some emerging initiatives include: young women who work at night clubs organising to make their industry better at preventing harassment and assault, young women setting up peer support networks in the community, and women seeking the creation of dedicated spaces in town centres for peer support for young women and LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.

Community action from young women leaders is commendable. It benefits all of society, and it deserves strong support from Councils.

Cherwell District Council recognises that our goal to promote a thriving night-time economy must be inclusive of young women’s safety and freedom in these spaces. We will ensure young women leaders are consistently engaged as stakeholders in implementing this aspect of the 2042 Local Plan.

Cherwell District Council pledges to encourage local businesses and other private sector stakeholders to support and sponsor young women’s community initiatives for safety.

Cherwell District Council will identify low cost out-of-use sites that are suitable for proposals from women-led initiatives for the community benefit, and ensure these sites are financially accessible for community-based initiatives.”  

Motion Two: Planning support for Town and Parish Councils

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

“Council notes with concern the significant development pressures arising from recent announcements, including: the proposed new town at Heyford Park, the Puy du Fou theme park, large-scale warehousing at Baynard’s Green, and the rail freight interchange.

Council recognises that these proposals will have far-reaching impacts on local communities, infrastructure, and the environment, and that Town and parish councils play a vital role in representing residents’ views.

However, these councils often lack the specialist planning expertise and resources required to respond effectively to complex applications of this scale.

Council therefore resolves:

1.     To provide accessible planning-related advice and support to councils within the affected areas, ensuring they are equipped to understand, scrutinise, and respond to major development proposals.

2.     To establish a dedicated point of contact within the Planning Department for councils seeking guidance on strategic developments.

3.     To explore options for training sessions and briefing notes tailored to councils, delivered in advance of key planning consultations.

This Council believes that empowering town and parish councils with expert advice will strengthen democratic participation, improve the quality of local input into the planning process, and help ensure that growth is managed responsibly and sustainably.

This officer-time could be funded from the unused heating fund which was in the Conservative budget amendment.”