Agenda and minutes

Councillors Yvonne Constance, Julia Reynolds and Janet Shelley sent their apologies for absence.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the council minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2015 (attached). 

RESOLVED: toadopt as a correct record the minutes of the annual meeting held on 20 May 2015 and agree that the chairman signs them.

None.

The chairman advised that his annual dinner would take place on Friday 20 November at Dalton Barracks Abingdon.

None.

The chairman reported that he had agreed to accept an additional motion as a matter of urgency on the grounds that any delay until the next Council meeting in October could prejudice the council’s position. The motion would be considered under item 11 later in the meeting. 

None.

To receive questions from members of the council under standing order 12.

1.    Question from Councillor Helen Pighills to Councillor Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet member for leisure.

In June 2013, after completion of the Leisure and Sports Facilities Study, the Cabinet member for leisure told Council there was to be a 'follow up piece of work' that would include surveys of community or village halls. In December 2014, the Cabinet member told us the report on this survey would be available in the summer of 2015. When can we expect this report to be published?

2.    Question from Councillor Catherine Webber to Councillor Mike Murray, Cabinet member for planning policy.

What policies are in place regarding housing development in or adjacent to our air quality management areas (AQMAs)?

3.    Question from Councillor Bob Johnston to Councillor Matthew Barber, Leader of the council.

Why was the north east area committee disbanded and merged with Abingdon, making that committee twice the size of the other area committees?

4.    Question from Councillor Debby Hallett to Councillor Mike Murray, Cabinet member for planning policy.

The loss of the last petrol station in Botley is an environmental concern when it means thousands of extra cars must travel on the already over-capacity A34 to Peartree, Heyford Hill or Abingdon in order to fill the tank. What policy changes could the Vale consider to address this environmental sustainability issue?

1.      Question from Councillor Debby Hallett to Councillor Charlotte Dickson,  Cabinet Member for leisure and arts

“In June 2013, after completion of the Leisure and Sports Facility Study, the Cabinet member for leisure told Council there was to be a ‘follow up piece of work’ that would include surveys of community or village halls.  In December 2014, the Cabinet member told us the report on this survey would be available in the summer of 2015.  When can we expect this report to be published”?

Answer

“The surveys of community and village halls form part of the survey work that consultants have carried out on the Vale Council’s behalf for the joint playing pitch strategy and associated work.  The consultants sent their draft findings to various parties for review and comments.  The report on the strategy and associated work was expected this summer; however, for a number of reasons, including capacity of the relevant national governing bodies of sport to respond to the draft findings, this piece of work is now expected to be finalised by the end of 2015”.

2.      Question from Councillor Catherine Webber to Councillor Mike Murray, Cabinet member for planning policy.

“What policies are in place regarding housing development in or adjacent to our air quality management areas (AQMAs)”? 

Answer

“Development management colleagues consider each application on its own merits, and in the light of national and local policy context. Councillor Webber may be aware that the there is new best practice Institute for Air Quality Management / EPUK guidance to assess significance development impacts on human health receptors and no doubt this will assist case officers in the future. At a local level detailed policies are those as saved under the old local plan, but there will be an opportunity to revisit these under LPP2. Councillor Webber will also know from her careful study of the submitted LPP1 that some areas have particular Core Policy references to Air Quality, in particular Core Policy 11 (v), relating to the Botley Central Area. She may also be aware of a recent case where Mid Sussex Council refused consent for development in the Designated Local Gap between Hassocks and Husrtpierpoint, and where air quality was one of three reasons for dismissal of the appeal. This will also no doubt assist case officers in assessing development proposals in the Vale”.

In response to a supplementary question regarding the need for pollution mitigation policies in the three AQMAs in the Vale, Councillor Murray stated that such policies already existing in the current and emerging planning policies and that each planning proposal was considered on its merit having regard to local environmental criteria, national policies and guided by planning decisions such as the Mid Sussex Council decision referred to in his response to the main question. 

3.  Question from Councillor Bob Johnston to Councillor Matthew Barber,  Leader of the council.

“Why was the north east area committee disbanded and merged with Abingdon, making that committee twice the size of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

On 7 July 2015 Councillor Mike Murray, Cabinet member for planning policy, took decisions to recommend Council to make the Drayton and Great Coxwell neighbourhood plans part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse. The individual Cabinet member decisions were circulated to all councillors on 7 July 2015.

Recommendations to Council:

1.    to make the Drayton Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse;

2.    to make the Great Coxwell Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse.

Council considered the recommendations of Councillor Mike Murray, Cabinet member for planning policy, made on 7 July 2015 to make the Drayton and Great Coxwell neighbourhood plans part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse.

RESOLVED:to

1.    make the Drayton Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse;

2.    make the Great Coxwell Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Vale of White Horse.

The leader of council reported that he had appointed Councillor Sandy Lovatt, Cabinet member for community safety, to the South and Vale Community Safety Partnership and the Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership Board.

He reported that the official opening of the temporary council offices at 135 Milton Park was held on 14 July and thanked officers again for their positive approach during the period since the fire. He reported that the council had recently held a successful town and parish forum and that the next forum was scheduled to take place in November at The Beacon in Wantage.

He reported that public examination of the council’s local plan would start in September.

The council would discuss opportunities offered by the government’s devolution plans with neighbouring authorities.     

To receive the following notices of motion under standing order 11.

(1)          Motion to be proposed by Councillor Gervase Duffield:

This Council requests that the Environment Agency commission an independent review into the implications of the proposed Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, especially relating to possible flood risks in areas of the Vale downstream of Abingdon.

(2)          Motion to be proposed by Councillor Gervase Duffield:

That this Council thanks the staff for their hard work during the recent round of elections in the Vale. The complexity of the elections this year is noted given the combination of parliamentary, district and parish council elections all being held on one day meant that well over 1,300 nomination papers had to be checked and well in excess of 130,000 ballot papers were counted over the three days of the count. The efforts of the electoral staff and others throughout the Council and beyond is recognised and appreciated.

Council also welcomes the consultation and Interim Report published by the Returning Officer into the conduct of the elections. Council notes that the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee will review the above report and a further report covering the cost of the district and parish elections and make any further recommendations to Council in due course.

Council considered the following motions under Standing Order 11.

(1)       Motion proposed by Councillor Duffield, seconded by Councillor Monica Lovatt:

“This Council requests that the Environment Agency commission an independent review into the implications of the proposed Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, especially relating to possible flood risks in areas of the Vale downstream of Abingdon”.

In supporting the motion a number of councillors, whilst supporting the various alleviation measures proposed, expressed concern that these could have a negative impact on areas south of Abingdon, both within the Vale and further afield, by transferring flood water elsewhere.

Council requested a general briefing from the Environment Agency on flooding issues in the Vale and the proposed alleviation measures.

RESOLVED:

That Council request that the Environment Agency commission an independent review into the implications of the proposed Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, especially relating to possible flood risks in areas of the Vale downstream of Abingdon.

(2)       Motion proposed by Councillor Duffield, seconded by Councillor  Cox:

“That this Council thanks the staff for their hard work during the recent round of elections in the Vale. The complexity of the elections this year is noted given the combination of parliamentary, district and parish council elections all being held on one day meant that well over 1,300 nomination papers had to be checked and well in excess of 130,000 ballot papers were counted over the three days of the count. The efforts of the electoral staff and others throughout the Council and beyond is recognised and appreciated.

Council also welcomes the consultation and Interim Report published by the Returning Officer into the conduct of the elections. Council notes that the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee will review the above report and a further report covering the cost of the district and parish elections and make any further recommendations to Council in due course”.

Council requested that the Chief Executive inform staff of Council’s thanks.

RESOLVED:

That Council thanks the staff for their hard work during the recent round of elections in the Vale. The complexity of the elections this year is noted given the combination of parliamentary, district and parish council elections all being held on one day meant that well over 1,300 nomination papers had to be checked and well in excess of 130,000 ballot papers were counted over the three days of the count. The efforts of the electoral staff and others throughout the Council and beyond is recognised and appreciated.

Council also welcomes the consultation and Interim Report published by the Returning Officer into the conduct of the elections. Council notes that the Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee will review the above report and a further report covering the cost of the district and parish elections and make any further recommendations to Council in due course.

(3)       Motion proposed by Councillor Sharp, seconded by Councillor Blagrove:

“Council recognises that following the issue of the Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment in 2014, and its identification of Oxford City's Objectively Assessed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.