Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Members, officers and guests to the meeting.

On behalf of Council, the Chairman welcomed Shiraz Sheikh, Assistant Director Law and Governance to his first Full Council meeting.

The Chairman advised that Councillor Sames was joining the meeting virtually and could speak on items but had no voting rights or rights to propose or second items.

16. Bicester Depot.

Councillor Ian Corkin, Declaration, as set out in the exempt minutes.

18. Motions.

Councillor Katherine Tyson, Declaration, in the motion "Water Sewage Transparency" due to her employment and would therefore not participate in the debate or vote on the motion.

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

Former Councillor Markham

The Chairman referred to the sad passing of former Councillor David Markham on 15 July 2022.

Former Councillor Markham had represented the Ambrosden ward from 1992 to 2002, standing down at the 2002 elections. Former Councillor Markham served on many committees, notably Development and South Area Planning Committee.

On behalf of Council, the Chairman extended condolences to Former Councillor Markham’s family and friends.

Council observed a minutes silence in honour of former Councillor Markham. 

Chairman’s Engagements

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

Chairman’s Charity Dinner

The Chairman reminded Members that they had received information about my Charity Dinner on Saturday 19 November. The event will be raising funds for Alexandra House of Joy, which is the charity he was supporting during my term as Chairman.

Members were asked to RSVP to the Chairman’s PA if they wished to attend. 

Meeting Length

Due to the length of the agenda, out of courtesy to other Members, the Chairman asked Members to remain in your seat during items and advised, if needed, he  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 reason for the address) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk The deadline for petitions and requests to address this meeting is noon on Friday 14 October 2022.

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

The Chairman advised there were no petitions. 

There was one request to address the meeting.  The request was from Parish Councillor Caroline Elmitt on behalf of Bodicote Parish Council, on agenda item 9, “Community Governance Review (CGR) – results of second consultation stage and final recommendations”, in relation to the recommendations of the working group’s report regarding the boundary change between Banbury and Bodicote.

The Chairman advised Council he would invite Parish Councillor Elmitt to address the meeting at the start of agenda item 9.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 18 July 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member 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 held on 18 July 2022 one decision has been taken by the Executive which was not included in the 28 day notice, relating to Responding to the Cost of Living Crisis.

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, Lead Member 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 held on 18 July 2022 one decision has been taken by the Executive which was not included in the 28 day notice, relating to Responding to the Cost of Living Crisis.

b)           Minutes of Committees

Resolved

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

a)         Written Questions

            One written question has been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution. This is attached to the agenda. 

A written response to the question will be published on the afternoon of the working day before the meeting.

The Member who submitted the written question may ask a supplementary question provided it is relevant to the reply and does not introduce any new matter. The Member to whom the question was addressed may reply to such supplementary question or undertake to reply in writing.

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).

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

c)         Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

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

a) Written Questions

The Chairman advised Council that one written question, addressed to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Wood, had been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution and had been published with the agenda. A response to the question had been published as a supplement to the agenda (and are an annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

The question was from Councillor Middleton and was in relation to Lord Harrington’s visit to Cherwell District Council.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Middleton requested that a written report to all Members regarding what had been discussed with the Minister.

The Leader responded to the supplementary question advising he had nothing to add to the comprehensive written response. 

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Councillor Dr Okeke: Banbury canal path

Councillor Hodgson: Malt House Way    

Councillor Middleton: Letter to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities regarding the cost of living emergency

Councillor Cotter: Investment zones

Councillor Middleton: Council commercial investments

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

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

** Please note that due to the size of the documents, the appendices to this report have been published as a supplement to the main agenda **

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To update Council on the outcome of the stage two consultation that was held between 4 July and 23 September 2022; to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to complete the required legal order; to update Members on the upcoming Oxfordshire County boundary review being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and the ongoing Parliamentary Boundary Review.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1.

1.2       To approve a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023.

1.3       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F1, as shown by the dotted black line on map 2, to take effect in May 2024.

1.4      To agree that Merlin Close remain in Bodicote.

1.5       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F, as shown by the dotted black line in the inset box on map 3, to take effect in May 2024.

1.6       To approve a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area E, as shown by the dotted black line on map 3, to take effect in May 2024.

1.7       To approve a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area D, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4, to take effect in May 2024. 

1.8       To approve a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area C, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4, to take effect in May 2024.

1.9         To approve an increase in the number of Banbury Town Councillors by one, to be allocated to the Hardwick West Town Ward, to take effect in May 2024. 

1.10       To approve a Banbury-only Community Governance Review to take place after the County boundary review has concluded, in advance of the 2028 local elections.

1.11       To approve a change in the boundary between Bicester, Ambrosden, Blackthorn and Launton for area L, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 5, to take effect in May 2023.

1.12       To approve a change in the next ordinary year of election for Launton Parish Council, bringing them forward to May 2023.  

1.13       To approve a change in the boundary between Chesterton and Bucknell for areas G and H, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6, to take effect in May 2023.

1.14       To approve a change in the boundary between Bicester and Bucknell for area I, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6, to take effect in May 2023.

1.15       To approve a change in the boundary between Hanwell and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 40.

Resolved

(1)           That a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)            That a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023, be approved.

(3)           That  a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F1, as shown by the dotted black line on map 2 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(4)           That it be agreed that  Merlin Close remain in Bodicote.

(5)           That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area F, as shown by the dotted black line in the inset box on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(6)           That a change in the boundary between Bodicote and Banbury for area E, as shown by the dotted black line on map 3 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(7)           That  a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area D, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(8)           That a change in the boundary between Drayton and Banbury for area C, as shown by the dotted black line on map 4 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(9)           That  an increase in the number of Banbury Town Councillors by one, to be allocated to the Hardwick West Town Ward, to take effect in May 2024, be approved.

(10)        That it be agreed that a Banbury-only Community Governance Review take place after the Oxfordshire County Council boundary review has concluded and in advance of the 2028 local elections.

(11)        That a change in the boundary between Bicester, Ambrosden, Blackthorn and Launton for area L, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 5 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023 be approved.

(12)        That a change in the next ordinary year of election for Launton Parish Council, bringing them forward to May 2023 be approved.

(13)        That a change in the boundary between Chesterton and Bucknell for areas G and H, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), to take effect in May 2023, be approved.

(14)        That a change in the boundary between Bicester and Bucknell for area I, as shown by the dotted black lines on map 6 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book),  ...  view the full decision text for item 40.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to update Council on the outcome of the Community Governance Review (CGR) stage two consultation that was held between 4 July and 23 September 2022; to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to complete the required legal order; to update Members on the upcoming Oxfordshire County boundary review being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and the ongoing Parliamentary Boundary Review.

Prior to Council debating the report, Parish Councillor Caroline Elmitt on behalf of Bodicote Parish Council, addressed Council in relation to the recommendation 1.3 of the working group’s report regarding the boundary change between Banbury and Bodicote.

In introducing the report and proposing the recommendations, Councillor Mallon, Chairman of the CGR Working Group, proposed that a separate vote be taken on recommendation 1.3. This was duly seconded by Councillor Beere, Vice-Chairman of the CGR Working Group.

At the discretion of the Chairman, the Interim Monitoring Officer addressed Council and reminded Council that this was a quasi-judicial decision, gave advice on decision making and advised that in reaching their decision, Members should give consideration to the most effective and convenient governance for each area of the review.

In the course of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor Middleton that a recorded vote be taken on recommendation 1.3.

Council voted on all recommendations excluding recommendation 1.3 en bloc. A recorded vote having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken on recommendation 1.3 and Members voted as follows.

The vote on recommendation 1.3 was carried.

Resolved

(1)          That a change in the boundary between Ambrosden and Blackthorn for area A, as shown by the dotted black line on map 1 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)           That a change in the next ordinary year of elections for Ambrosden and Blackthorn parish councils, bringing them forward to 2023, be approved.

(3)          That  a change in the boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

** Please note Appendices 1 and 2 will follow **

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To review the allocation of seats to political groups in light of the disbanding of the Joint Shared Services and Personnel (JSSP) Committee and Joint Appeals Panel and to adopt the Minutes of the final meeting of the JSSP Committee. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To agree the revised allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Appendix 1 (to follow).

1.2       To note changes to committee membership in accordance with the nominations made by political Group Leaders as set out in Appendix 2 (to follow).

1.3       To adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Shared Services and Personnel Committee held on 4 July 2022 (Appendix 3).

Resolved

(1)           That the revised allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)           That the following changes to committee membership in accordance with the nominations made by political Group Leaders be noted:

·       Conservative Group

Planning Committee

Add – Councillor Bryn Williams (permanent Committee member)

Add – Councillor Phil Chapman (named substitute - additional)

Add – Councillor Sandy Dallimore (named substitute to replace Councillor Williams who is now a permanent member)

·       Progressive Oxfordshire Group

Licensing Committee

Remove – Councillor Angus Patrick

·       Labour Group

Planning Committee

Remove – Councillor Sean Woodcock (permanent Committee member)

Remove – Councill Andrew Crichton (named substitute)

Licensing Committee

Add – Councillor Sean Woodcock

(3)           That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Shared Services and Personnel Committee held on 4 July 2022 be adopted.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to review the allocation of seats to political groups in light of the disbanding of the Joint Shared Services and Personnel (JSSP) Committee and Joint Appeals Panel and to adopt the Minutes of the final meeting of the JSSP Committee. 

Resolved

(1)          That the revised allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)          That the following changes to committee membership in accordance with the nominations made by political Group Leaders be noted:

·         Conservative Group

Planning Committee

Add – Councillor Bryn Williams (permanent Committee member)

Add – Councillor Phil Chapman (named substitute - additional)

Add – Councillor Sandy Dallimore (named substitute to replace Councillor Williams who is now a permanent member)

·         Progressive Oxfordshire Group

Licensing Committee

Remove – Councillor Angus Patrick

·         Labour Group

Planning Committee

Remove – Councillor Sean Woodcock (permanent Committee member)

Remove – Councill Andrew Crichton (named substitute)

Licensing Committee

Add – Councillor Sean Woodcock

(3)          That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Shared Services and Personnel Committee held on 4 July 2022 be adopted.

Report of Assistant Director Law, Governance and Democratic Services & Monitoring Officer (Interim)

Purpose of report

Council is asked to consider and agree the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2023/2024 (Appendix 1). 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To approve the calendar of meetings for Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2022/2023 (Appendix 1).

Resolved

(1)           That the calendar of meetings for Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2023/2024 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

The Assistant Director Law, Governance and Democratic Services & Monitoring Officer (Interim) submitted a report for Council is to consider and agree the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2023/2024.

Resolved

(1)          That the calendar of meetings for Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

Report of Interim Monitoring Officer.

Purpose of report

The Council has a suite of employment law policies which give employees the opportunity to work flexibly or seek other changes to their terms and conditions. A recent introduction is a Flexible Retirement Policy, which will be considered by personnel Committee on 17 October.

This report seeks changes to the Terms of Reference of Personnel Committee, to make it possible for that committee to determine formal applications by senior officers to consider changes to their terms and conditions of employment.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve additional wording to the Personnel Committee’s Terms of Reference, to add ‘To determine formal applications by the Head of Paid Service, s151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and Corporate Directors for changes to their terms and conditions of employment, including flexible retirement requests’.

1.2      To note that such applications by officers at Assistant Director grade and below would be determined by officers at the appropriate management level.

Resolved

(1)           That additional wording to the Personnel Committee’s Terms of Reference, to add ‘To determine formal applications by the Head of Paid Service, s151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and Corporate Directors for changes to their terms and conditions of employment, including flexible retirement requests’ be approved.

(2)           That it be noted that such applications by officers at Assistant Director grade and below would be determined by officers at the appropriate management level.

The Interim Monitoring Officer which sought changes to the Terms of Reference of Personnel Committee, to make it possible for that Committee to determine formal applications by senior officers to consider changes to their terms and conditions of employment.

The Council had a suite of employment law policies which give employees the opportunity to work flexibly or seek other changes to their terms and conditions. A recent introduction was a Flexible Retirement Policy, which had been  considered and agreed by Personnel Committee at their 17 October 2022 meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That additional wording to the Personnel Committee’s Terms of Reference, to add ‘To determine formal applications by the Head of Paid Service, s151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and Corporate Directors for changes to their terms and conditions of employment, including flexible retirement requests’ be approved.

(2)          That it be noted that such applications by officers at Assistant Director grade and below would be determined by officers at the appropriate management level.

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To appoint a Monitoring Officer following recruitment to the post of Assistant Director Law, Governance and Democratic Services.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To appoint Shiraz Sheikh as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 18 October 2022.

Resolved

(1)           That Shiraz Sheikh be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 18 October 2022.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for Council to appoint a Monitoring Officer following recruitment to the post of Assistant Director Law, Governance and Democratic Services.

Resolved

(1)          That Shiraz Sheikh be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 18 October 2022.

Following his appointment, Shiraz Sheikh addressed Council, thanked Members for his appointment and commented that he was looking forward to working with them.

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To inform Council of a decision taken under urgency powers by the Chief Executive in relation to the appointment of a Data Protection Officer. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive as set out at Appendix 1. 

Resolved

(1)           That the urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive in relation to the appointment of Data Protection Officer be noted.   

The Chief Executivesubmitted a report toinform Council of a decision she had taken under urgency powers in relation to the appointment of a Data Protection Officer. 

Resolved

(1)          That the urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive in relation to the appointment of a Data Protection Officer be noted.  

The following item of business contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraph 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 items have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them 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 items of business, on the grounds that they 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 items of business, on the grounds that they 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.

** Please note this report will follow “”

Exempt Report of Corporate Director Resources

Resolved

(1)          As set out in the exempt decisions.  

(2)          As set out in the exempt decisions.  

(3)          As set out in the exempt decisions.  

(4)          As set out in the exempt decisions.  

(5)          As set out in the exempt decisions.  

The Corporate Director Resources submitted an exempt report in relation to Bicester Depot.

Resolved

(1)           As set out in the exempt minutes. 

(2)           As set out in the exempt minutes. 

(3)           As set out in the exempt minutes. 

(4)           As set out in the exempt minutes. 

(5)           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 13 October 2022. 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 14 October 2022. Amendments for motions will be dealt with in the order submitted. 

Resolved

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

“Fracking involves injecting water, sand and other substances into subterranean rocks to extract the gas that is trapped between them. It has caused water pollution in the US, earthquakes there and in the UK, massively pollutes the environment and water table and contributes to greenhouse gases when burnt.

We've already seen earthquakes in Lancashire, and Quadrilla were forced to pause fracking there in 2018 after the British Geological Survey showed that there had been 17 earthquakes in 9 days.

Fracking was banned in 2019 by the Conservative government amid these concerns. These concerns have not gone away.

We now have a Prime Minister who believes fracking is fine again and has reversed that decision. Inexplicably so when investment in renewals is both more cost effective and much better for the environment. It is inexplicable that the government should be considering such environmental and climatic destruction when we are facing a climate catastrophe.

Liz Truss has said developers will be given permission "where there is local support". Various sites across the country have been identified as possibilities, some are in Cherwell. As this Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and published the Climate Action Framework in 2020, which includes statements on moving towards net-zero carbon by 2030, we, as a council, need unite behind that and be seen to be standing by it. We, the Labour Group, I know, are united on this and we call upon this Council to declare the District of Cherwell a NO FRACKING ZONE.”

(2)          That the following motion be adopted:

“Earlier this year Thames Water welcomed Oxfordshire’s first regional river designated as bathing water in Port Meadow’s Wolvercote Mill Stream. It’s important that this success is built on by Cherwell District council to protect our waterways from natural and man-made pollution.

Only 14% of the UK’s waterways are in a good ecological condition, with water companies across the UK having discharged raw sewage into waterways 400,000 times in 2020 – more than 3 million hours of discharge.

In compliance with our climate change emergency motion, this Council has a duty to protect our natural environment. The government has so far failed to hold the water companies to account, so this council should work with Thames Water to increase transparency and minimise discharges into Cherwell’s waterways.

This Council therefore will :

1.    Seek to establish a local strategy that puts sewage treatment at the heart of its local plan

2.    Ensure that an evidence base is compiled that assesses the cumulative impact of sewage discharges so that this is factored into decisions made within the local plan.

3.    Seek to better understand the cumulative impact of wastewater discharge including untreated sewage into our local rivers on wildlife and residents

4.     From 2023, request that Thames Water clarifies which treatment works will be managing sewage from new developments and the likely impact on the number of sewage discharges into watercourses

5.    Requests that planning officers include a  ...  view the full decision text for item 49.

The Chair advised that four motions had been submitted. No amendments to any of the motions had been submitted. In line with the Constitution, no amendments were now permitted.

One Planet Living

As Councillor Sames was attending Council virtually, it was proposed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Broad that consideration of the motion be deferred to the 19 December 2022 Council meeting. Members agreed to the deferment.

Fracking

It was proposed by Councillor Hodgson and seconded by Councillor Watkins that the following motion be adopted:

“Fracking involves injecting water, sand and other substances into subterranean rocks to extract the gas that is trapped between them. It has caused water pollution in the US, earthquakes there and in the UK, massively pollutes the environment and water table and contributes to greenhouse gases when burnt.

We've already seen earthquakes in Lancashire, and Quadrilla were forced to pause fracking there in 2018 after the British Geological Survey showed that there had been 17 earthquakes in 9 days.

Fracking was banned in 2019 by the Conservative government amid these concerns. These concerns have not gone away.

We now have a Prime Minister who believes fracking is fine again and has reversed that decision. Inexplicably so when investment in renewals is both more cost effective and much better for the environment. It is inexplicable that the government should be considering such environmental and climatic destruction when we are facing a climate catastrophe.

Liz Truss has said developers will be given permission "where there is local support". Various sites across the country have been identified as possibilities, some are in Cherwell. As this Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and published the Climate Action Framework in 2020, which includes statements on moving towards net-zero carbon by 2030, we, as a council, need unite behind that and be seen to be standing by it. We, the Labour Group, I know, are united on this and we call upon this Council to declare the District of Cherwell a NO FRACKING ZONE.”

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. In the course of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Woodcock that a recorded vote be taken, which was duly seconded by Councillor Moon. Having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken and Members voted as follows: