Agenda item

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

(1)          Motion to be proposed by Councillor Barber, seconded by Councillor Cox:

This Council supports the proposal by district council leaders for the abolition of existing councils and the creation of new local unitary councils for Oxfordshire. Furthermore this Council welcomes the appointment of Pricewaterhouse Coopers to examine all options ahead of a public consultation this summer.

(2)          Motion to be proposed by Councillor Jenny Hannaby, seconded by Councillor Dudley Hoddinott

This Council calls for our officers to work with Oxfordshire County Council (and other relevant local authorities, Network Rail and Great Western Railway) to produce a business case for an express rail link from Bristol to Milton Keynes via a new station at Grove/Wantage. It must include new track and signalling so as not to obstruct present and future high speed services from Paddington and link with the current electrification scheme.

(3)          Motion to be proposed by Councillor Bob Johnston, seconded by Councillor Catherine Webber

Air quality in the Vale is deteriorating. Therefore, this Council calls on HM Government to tighten the regulations on diesel engine vehicles especially in respect of particulates and oxides of nitrogen to address this. Any such regulations should ensure that the new limits are rigorously enforced and they should make the removal of the particle filter from diesel engines a criminal offence.

(1)          Councillor Matthew Barber moved and Councillor Roger Cox seconded the following motion:

This Council supports the proposal by district council leaders for the abolition of existing councils and the creation of new local unitary councils for Oxfordshire. Furthermore this Council welcomes the appointment of Pricewaterhouse Coopers to examine all options ahead of a public consultation this summer.

Those councillors in support of the motion expressed the view that the current two tier system of local government was expensive, not the most effective method for the delivery of local services and confusing for the public. The creation of new local unitary councils would save money and build on the quality of district councils, some of which had a track record of joint working. The creation of one unitary council for Oxfordshire was not feasible due to its large geographical area and significant population.

However, other councillors, whilst supporting the need for change, expressed the view that the motion was premature. Council should await the outcome of the options study before supporting a particular approach. 

The chairman called for a recorded vote on the motion which was carried with the votes recorded as follows:

(2)          Councillor Jenny Hannaby moved and Councillor Dudley Hoddinott seconded the following motion:

This Council calls for our officers to work with Oxfordshire County Council (and other relevant local authorities, Network Rail and Great Western Railway) to produce a business case for an express rail link from Bristol to Milton Keynes via a new station at Grove/Wantage. It must include new track and signalling so as not to obstruct present and future high speed services from Paddington and link with the current electrification scheme.

In supporting the motion councillors expressed the view that the scheme would provide a valuable transport link to Milton Park and Oxford, provide the infrastructure necessary to support the growing number of houses and jobs in the area and alleviate pressure on Didcot Parkway station. The proposal had the support of both Network Rail and Great Western Railways but required a business case. 

RESOLVED: That Council calls for officers to work with Oxfordshire County Council (and other relevant local authorities, Network Rail and Great Western Railway) to produce a business case for an express rail link from Bristol to Milton Keynes via a new station at Grove/Wantage. It must include new track and signalling so as not to obstruct present and future high speed services from Paddington and link with the current electrification scheme.

(3)          Councillor Bob Johnston moved and Councillor Catherine Webber seconded the following motion:

Air quality in the Vale is deteriorating. Therefore, this Council calls on HM Government to tighten the regulations on diesel engine vehicles especially in respect of particulates and oxides of nitrogen to address this. Any such regulations should ensure that the new limits are rigorously enforced and they should make the removal of the particle filter from diesel engines a criminal offence.

Those councillors in support of the motion expressed the view that diesel vehicles had a detrimental impact on the health of local residents and the resources of the National Health Service. Although solutions were not within the control of the council it could call upon the government to tighten regulations. Other councillors expressed the view that air quality in the Vale was not deteriorating but broadly the same as five years ago with reductions in some areas. Air pollution had many causes and required a broad approach rather than merely blaming diesel vehicles.

The chairman called for a recorded vote on the motion which was lost with the votes recorded as follows: