Agenda item

a)       Written Questions

          Four written questions have been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution. These are attached to the agenda.  The deadline for written questions has now passed.  

A written response to the questions will be published on 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 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

The Chair advised that four written questions, addressed to the Leader, had been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution and had been published with the agenda. Responses to the questions had been published as a supplement to the agenda (and as an annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

The first question was from Councillor Reeves, regarding the illegal fly-tipping at Kidlington. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Reeves sought clarification on the chronology of events, the Leader advised that this was a matter for the Environment Agency to respond to, but he would provide further information in writing. 

The second question was from Councillor Reeves, regarding Government funding. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Reeves asked the Leader to comment on the implications for CDC if the anticipated 5% – 7.5% reduction were confirmed. The Leader referred to the written response that set out ways that the Executive was working with officers to address future budget challenges, including through the Cherwell Futures Programme and identifying savings to avoid reductions to frontline services. Consultation on budget proposal was currently underway and the scrutiny of budget proposals by Budget Planning Committee had taken place. Lobbying of Government would also continue.

The third question was from Councillor Reeves, regarding CCTC services across Oxfordshire. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Reeves sought clarification as to why CDC had not yet committed if there were benefits to the council. The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, Councillor Parkinson, provided background and context to the negotiations since CDC had agreed to join the CCTV Partnership in September 2024. Discussions were ongoing regarding the draft agreement, and it was important that matters were satisfactorily addressed. The Chief Executive would be meeting the Police and Crime Commissioner the following day to reinforce the council’s commitment to finding a mutually acceptable way forward on behalf of our district and our residents.

The fourth question was from Councillor Roger, regarding the illegal fly-tipping at Kidlington. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Rogers asked if the Leader could share any information regarding how the Environment Agency would fund clearing the site and if it would result in cuts elsewhere. The Leader undertook to respond in writing.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Councillor Rogers: Local Government Reform

Councillor Dr Okeke: Garages on Evenlode, Ruscote Estate 

Councillor Biegel: Flytipping

Councillor Clarke MBE: Safety of pedestrians in Banbury town centre

Councillor Coton: Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre on Langford Lane in Kidlington

Councillor Sibley: TVP Forensic Laboratory Building - Parking of Construction Vehicles

Councillor Sibley: A4095 Realigned Howes Lane Bicester

Councillor Mallon: Historic Banbury Borough Council Minute Books

Councillor Rogers: Discussion with Leader and CDC representative on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Wood: Potential move to three-weekly residual waste collection

c) Questions to Committee Chairs on the Minutes

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