Agenda item

Motions

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

 

Topic

Proposer

Seconder

Solar Energy Strategy

Councillor Dorothy Walker

TBC

Right to Grow

Councillor Ian Middleton

TBC

Period Poverty

Councillor Rebecca Biegel

TBC

Section 21 Notices

Councillor Sean Woodcock

TBC

Service Hubs

Councillor Chris Pruden

Councillor Rob Pattenden

 

Please note that the deadline to submit motions has passed. The deadline for Members to submit amendments to motions is noon on Thursday 14 December 2023. 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 15 December 2023. Amendments for motions will be dealt with in the order submitted. 

 

 

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

“Increasing our renewable energy production by wind or solar is vital – yet there is an inconsistency of approach in Cherwell. While wind projects and their suitability for Cherwell’s environment and community needs was independently researched in 2019 for the Local Plan Review, no equivalent independent research was undertaken for solar projects. 

 

The pathway to the increase in solar generation is unclear.  Requirements for solar panels on new domestic and commercial buildings are limited and there is no programme for the widespread retrofitting of photovoltaics on public, commercial and domestic properties, nor is there a comprehensive solar power plan integrating all means of solar power generation, only an apparent reliance on the emergence of commercial solar farm proposals.  There has been a proliferation of solar farm projects in the district, and we currently  face the potential construction (mainly in West Oxfordshire and partially in Cherwell) of the largest solar farm in Europe - and one of the largest in the world.

 

We ask the Executive to consider commissioning a robust, research-based strategy for solar electricity production in Cherwell, in order to achieve the optimum balance of  power generation  by solar farms, by roof panels on new commercial and residential developments, and, crucially, their retrofitting on existing public, business and domestic buildings. Two key criteria underpinning this solar power strategy should be environmental impacts and domestic food production needs.”

 

(2)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

We have seen the cost of living crisis leave many of our residentswith unacceptable choices between heating or eating.

 

However, the cost of living crisis has caused highlighted another crucial issue: period poverty. Many women and girls do not have access to sanitary products due to the rising cost of other essentials such as food and energy, which are necessarily being prioritised.

 

A poll by Action Aid in May 2023 showed that more than 21% or 1 in 5 women and people who menstruate are experiencing period poverty. Furthermore, the percentage of those affected has risen from 12% to 21% in just one year.

 

Being unable to comfortably leave home for several days every month due to lack of sanitary products is unbearable for the individuals and missing work or school has further financial or educational implications.

 

There are also serious health risks: 41% of respondents used sanitary products for much longer than recommended and 8% resorted to re-using disposal products. In addition to the physical dangers, the impact of shame and anxiety on mental health is significant.

 

I hope members will agree this situation is unacceptable in society and in our district. 

 

To combat period poverty, this Council asks the Executive

 

a)    to investigate and report back on the number of accessible locations across the Council’s estate where free sanitary products can feasibly and sensitively be provided.

 

b)    to consider the report and the recommendations therein to make a decision on implementation.”

 

(3)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

"This council is experiencing unprecedented levels of people presenting as homeless. A key driver of this is landlords serving Section 21, so-called 'no fault', eviction notices on their tenants.

 

Since 2019, the Conservative government has promised to abolish Section 21 notices and included this as part of its Private Renters Reform Bill.

 

This has now been indefinitely delayed.

 

Only a year ago, this council overwhelmingly voted in favour of the government enacting the Private Renters Reform Bill; with the Lead Member for Housing mandated to write to the government to that effect.

 

This council condemns the decision to delay the ban on Section 21 notices and calls on the Leader of the Council to communicate this to our Members of Parliament and the government in the strongest possible terms."

 

(4)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

“This Council notes that over the last few years, in-person access to essential services has been greatly reduced, from banking services to our own council services, while residents are required to travel further or use online services, which in some cases is difficult or not suitable for the most vulnerable who need these services most. Banks alone have closed over 200 branches in the UK this year, with Banbury, Bicester, and Kidlington having already lost branches and/or the provision of counter service.   

 

This Council believes it should do what it can to help maintain easy access to these vital services. Banking hubs have already been set up elsewhere and been proven to work. We could not only take a lesson from these, but seek to improve the hub concept by including access to services CDC itself provides, noting the closure of CDC counters.  

 

This motion therefore calls on the Executive to:   

 

1.    Investigate the feasibility of creating service hubs within our localities and what they can usefully provide, including considering best practice from other local authorities.

 

2.    Develop a strategy that facilitates the use of service hubs to better provide access and support to our communities within our powers.”

 

(For information: The “Right to Grow” motion was deferred to the February Council meeting)

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that five motions had been submitted, however as Councillor Middleton was attending virtually and therefore unable to propose he had submitted, consideration of this motion would be deferred to the 26 February Council meeting.,

 

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

 

Motion One: Solar Energy Strategy

 

It was proposed by Councillor Walker and seconded by Councillor Broad that the following motion be adopted:

 

“Increasing our renewable energy production by wind or solar is vital – yet there is an inconsistency of approach in Cherwell. While wind projects and their suitability for Cherwell’s environment and community needs was independently researched in 2019 for the Local Plan Review, no equivalent independent research was undertaken for solar projects. 

 

The pathway to the increase in solar generation is unclear.  Requirements for solar panels on new domestic and commercial buildings are limited and there is no programme for the widespread retrofitting of photovoltaics on public, commercial and domestic properties, nor is there a comprehensive solar power plan integrating all means of solar power generation, only an apparent reliance on the emergence of commercial solar farm proposals.  There has been a proliferation of solar farm projects in the district, and we currently  face the potential construction (mainly in West Oxfordshire and partially in Cherwell) of the largest solar farm in Europe - and one of the largest in the world.

 

We ask the Executive to consider commissioning a robust, research-based strategy for solar electricity production in Cherwell, in order to achieve the optimum balance of  power generation  by solar farms, by roof panels on new commercial and residential developments, and, crucially, their retrofitting on existing public, business and domestic buildings. Two key criteria underpinning this solar power strategy should be environmental impacts and domestic food production needs.”

 

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

 

Motion Two: Period Poverty

 

It was proposed by Councillor Biegel and seconded by Councillor Woodcock that the following motion be adopted:

 

“We have seen the cost of living crisis leave many of our residentswith unacceptable choices between heating or eating.

 

However, the cost of living crisis has caused highlighted another crucial issue: period poverty. Many women and girls do not have access to sanitary products due to the rising cost of other essentials such as food and energy, which are necessarily being prioritised.

 

A poll by Action Aid in May 2023 showed that more than 21% or 1 in 5 women and people who menstruate are experiencing period poverty. Furthermore, the percentage of those affected has risen from 12% to 21% in just one year.

 

Being unable to comfortably leave home for several days every month due to lack of sanitary products is unbearable for the individuals and missing work or school has further financial or educational implications.

 

There are also serious health risks: 41% of respondents used sanitary products for much longer than recommended and 8% resorted to re-using disposal products. In addition to the physical dangers, the impact of shame and anxiety on mental health is significant.

 

I hope members will agree this situation is unacceptable in society and in our district. 

 

To combat period poverty, this Council asks the Executive

 

a)    to investigate and report back on the number of accessible locations across the Council’s estate where free sanitary products can feasibly and sensitively be provided.

 

b)    to consider the report and the recommendations therein to make a decision on implementation.”

 

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

 

Motion Three: Section 21 Notice

 

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Mawer that the following motion be adopted:

 

"This council is experiencing unprecedented levels of people presenting as homeless. A key driver of this is landlords serving Section 21, so-called 'no fault', eviction notices on their tenants.

 

Since 2019, the Conservative government has promised to abolish Section 21 notices and included this as part of its Private Renters Reform Bill.

 

This has now been indefinitely delayed.

 

Only a year ago, this council overwhelmingly voted in favour of the government enacting the Private Renters Reform Bill; with the Lead Member for Housing mandated to write to the government to that effect.

 

This council condemns the decision to delay the ban on Section 21 notices and calls on the Leader of the Council to communicate this to our Members of Parliament and the government in the strongest possible terms."

 

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

 

Motion Four: Service Hubs

 

It was proposed by Councillor Pruden and seconded by Councillor Pattenden that the following motion be adopted:

 

“This Council notes that over the last few years, in-person access to essential services has been greatly reduced, from banking services to our own council services, while residents are required to travel further or use online services, which in some cases is difficult or not suitable for the most vulnerable who need these services most. Banks alone have closed over 200 branches in the UK this year, with Banbury, Bicester, and Kidlington having already lost branches and/or the provision of counter service.   

 

This Council believes it should do what it can to help maintain easy access to these vital services. Banking hubs have already been set up elsewhere and been proven to work. We could not only take a lesson from these, but seek to improve the hub concept by including access to services CDC itself provides, noting the closure of CDC counters.  

 

This motion therefore calls on the Executive to:   

 

1.    Investigate the feasibility of creating service hubs within our localities and what they can usefully provide, including considering best practice from other local authorities.

 

2.    Develop a strategy that facilitates the use of service hubs to better provide access and support to our communities within our powers.”

 

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

 

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

“Increasing our renewable energy production by wind or solar is vital – yet there is an inconsistency of approach in Cherwell. While wind projects and their suitability for Cherwell’s environment and community needs was independently researched in 2019 for the Local Plan Review, no equivalent independent research was undertaken for solar projects. 

 

The pathway to the increase in solar generation is unclear.  Requirements for solar panels on new domestic and commercial buildings are limited and there is no programme for the widespread retrofitting of photovoltaics on public, commercial and domestic properties, nor is there a comprehensive solar power plan integrating all means of solar power generation, only an apparent reliance on the emergence of commercial solar farm proposals.  There has been a proliferation of solar farm projects in the district, and we currently  face the potential construction (mainly in West Oxfordshire and partially in Cherwell) of the largest solar farm in Europe - and one of the largest in the world.

 

We ask the Executive to consider commissioning a robust, research-based strategy for solar electricity production in Cherwell, in order to achieve the optimum balance of  power generation  by solar farms, by roof panels on new commercial and residential developments, and, crucially, their retrofitting on existing public, business and domestic buildings. Two key criteria underpinning this solar power strategy should be environmental impacts and domestic food production needs.”

 

(2)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

“We have seen the cost of living crisis leave many of our residentswith unacceptable choices between heating or eating.

 

However, the cost of living crisis has caused highlighted another crucial issue: period poverty. Many women and girls do not have access to sanitary products due to the rising cost of other essentials such as food and energy, which are necessarily being prioritised.

 

A poll by Action Aid in May 2023 showed that more than 21% or 1 in 5 women and people who menstruate are experiencing period poverty. Furthermore, the percentage of those affected has risen from 12% to 21% in just one year.

 

Being unable to comfortably leave home for several days every month due to lack of sanitary products is unbearable for the individuals and missing work or school has further financial or educational implications.

 

There are also serious health risks: 41% of respondents used sanitary products for much longer than recommended and 8% resorted to re-using disposal products. In addition to the physical dangers, the impact of shame and anxiety on mental health is significant.

 

I hope members will agree this situation is unacceptable in society and in our district. 

 

To combat period poverty, this Council asks the Executive

 

c)    to investigate and report back on the number of accessible locations across the Council’s estate where free sanitary products can feasibly and sensitively be provided.

 

d)    to consider the report and the recommendations therein to make a decision on implementation.”

 

(3)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

"This council is experiencing unprecedented levels of people presenting as homeless. A key driver of this is landlords serving Section 21, so-called 'no fault', eviction notices on their tenants.

 

Since 2019, the Conservative government has promised to abolish Section 21 notices and included this as part of its Private Renters Reform Bill.

 

This has now been indefinitely delayed.

 

Only a year ago, this council overwhelmingly voted in favour of the government enacting the Private Renters Reform Bill; with the Lead Member for Housing mandated to write to the government to that effect.

 

This council condemns the decision to delay the ban on Section 21 notices and calls on the Leader of the Council to communicate this to our Members of Parliament and the government in the strongest possible terms."

 

(4)          That the following motion be adopted:

 

“This Council notes that over the last few years, in-person access to essential services has been greatly reduced, from banking services to our own council services, while residents are required to travel further or use online services, which in some cases is difficult or not suitable for the most vulnerable who need these services most. Banks alone have closed over 200 branches in the UK this year, with Banbury, Bicester, and Kidlington having already lost branches and/or the provision of counter service.   

 

This Council believes it should do what it can to help maintain easy access to these vital services. Banking hubs have already been set up elsewhere and been proven to work. We could not only take a lesson from these, but seek to improve the hub concept by including access to services CDC itself provides, noting the closure of CDC counters.  

 

This motion therefore calls on the Executive to:   

 

3.    Investigate the feasibility of creating service hubs within our localities and what they can usefully provide, including considering best practice from other local authorities.

 

4.    Develop a strategy that facilitates the use of service hubs to better provide access and support to our communities within our powers.”  

Supporting documents: