Minutes:
A. Councillor Andy Crawford moved, and Councillor Ron Batstone seconded, the motion as set out in the agenda at item 11 A
Councillor Mabbett moved, and Councillor Boyd seconded, an amendment to add “our members of parliament”, prior to “local councillors” in the first line of the motion, in recognition of the work undertaken by the current members of parliament.
With the agreement of Council, the mover and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment.
After debate and on being put to the vote the motion was agreed.
RESOLVED: to note that our members of parliament, local councillors and residents have campaigned for many years to get Grove Station reopened yet this much needed station remains unfunded.
Council notes that:
- Oxfordshire Rail Corridor Study demonstrates that a station at Grove/Wantage can be justified by 2028 on the basis of the new housing currently being built or being planned for in the area and emerging proposals for further employment growth, including the Williams Technology Campus.
- A report published by SLC Rail in 2018 considered a station at Grove to be “high value for money” within the Department for Transport’s Value for Money Assessment.
- local councillors have successfully pushed for Network Rail to electrify the line in a way that did not impede the reopening of the line through Grove.
- local councillors have helped ensure the new bridge over the railway line at Grove was constructed in such a way as not to impede a reopening.
- Investment in rail is an essential part of decarbonising transport and reducing dependence on the personal car.
- progress on this project is being delayed by the failure of Government to provide funding to progress the project to the next stage.
- even if funding to develop the proposal further is awarded, the source of funding to deliver Grove station is uncertain.
Council reiterates our commitment to ensuring Grove Station is reopened.
This Council therefore calls upon the Leader to:
- write to the Secretary of State for Transport to make the case for funding Grove Station to be part of the current round of government grants to help develop proposals for new stations.
- ask the Secretary of State for Transport for a commitment for the station to be delivered as soon as possible.
- continue to make the case for Grove Station at the Oxfordshire, Ox-Cam Arc meetings, and in conversations with our two Members of Parliament.
B. Councillor Debby Hallett moved, and Councillor David Grant seconded, the motion as set out in the agenda at item 11 B
After debate and on being put to the vote the motion was agreed.
RESOLVED: to note that:
2. this council has declared a Climate Emergency and adopted targets to be carbon neutral by 2030, with a target for the district to be carbon neutral by 2045.
3. the ‘Oxfordshire Strategic Vision’, adopted by all Oxfordshire Councils, articulates countywide shared aims and guiding principles for sustainable growth.
4. there are a number of consultations on spatial planning documents happening this summer that will impact on our ability to achieve the above targets and our corporate plan objectives.
Council believes that:
1. achieving our carbon reduction targets and realising the ‘Oxfordshire Strategic Vision’ for the district cannot be met without working effectively with partners across Oxfordshire, the region and beyond.
2. our emerging Joint Local Plan, the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, the government’s Oxford to Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, and any other plans for growth and development, are opportunities to help the world in its critical response to the climate emergency and efforts towards carbon neutrality.
3. we are in a position to gather evidence to contribute to and influence policy decisions as part of key local, regional and national consultations.
Council therefore requests that:
C. Councillor Neil Fawcett moved, and Councillor Max Thompson seconded, the motion as set out in the agenda at item 11 C
Whilst the majority of councillors supported the motion, a number expressed the view that Council should await the publication of the full proposals before agreeing a position. A deferral of the motion would allow for an informed debate. However, contrary to this the view was expressed that the White Paper asked for comments and therefore the Council should submit a consultation response.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 67, which provides for a recorded vote if three members request one, the chair called for a recorded vote on the motion which was declared carried with the voting as follows:
For |
Against |
Abstentions |
Councillors |
Councillors |
Councillors |
Jerry Avery |
|
Matthew Barber |
Paul Barrow |
|
Eric Batts |
Ron Batstone |
|
Nathan Boyd |
Samantha Bowring |
|
Ben Mabbett |
Cheryl Briggs |
Elaine Ware |
|
Andy Cooke |
|
|
Andrew Crawford |
|
|
Margaret Crick |
|
|
Eric de la Harpe |
|
|
Amos Duveen |
|
|
Neil Fawcett |
|
|
Andy Foulsham |
|
|
David Grant |
|
|
Debby Hallett |
|
|
Jenny Hannaby |
|
|
Alison Jenner |
|
|
Diana Lugova |
|
|
Patrick O’Leary |
|
|
Helen Pighills |
|
|
Judy Roberts |
|
|
Val Shaw |
|
|
Emily Smith |
|
|
Bethia Thomas |
|
|
Max Thompson |
|
|
Catherine Webber |
|
|
Richard Webber |
|
|
Total: 26 |
Total: 0 |
Total: 5 |
RESOLVED: to note that
· the Government’s proposals to reform the English Planning system which will significantly reduce the public’s right to influence planning applications.
· the significant and growing concerns being expressed about the proposals across local councils, MPs of all parties and across planning, architectural and environmental organisations.
· local residents’ concerns about their reduced ability to object to building works under Permitted Development Rights which have been extended under this Government.
· The Local Government Association has identified that more than 1million homes that have planning permission that are not yet built, including a significant number in the Vale.
· that councils across England approve nine in ten planning applications.
· the need to deliver more genuinely affordable housing for sale and rent.
Council is concerned that:
· the proposed planning reforms are trying to solve the wrong problem. In the Vale we are already approving applications for housing at a higher rate than needed to hit government ambition of 300,000 new homes a year.
· the proposed planning reforms will significantly reduce public input into the planning process, leaving communities feeling that development is being done to them, not with them.
· the proposed Planning reforms will make it more difficult for councils to ensure the homes that are built are genuinely affordable for local people.
Council calls for the Government to:
· scrap the current proposals for planning reform.
· undertake a review of permitted development rights.
· maintain the right of local residents to engage and comment on individual planning applications.
· support the right of local people, through robust Neighbourhood and Local Plan processes, to influence how their communities develop.
· enable councils to set strong local planning policies to maximise protection for the environment and reduce carbon emissions.
and asks the Leader to write to the Secretary of State and our local Members of Parliament to this effect.
01235 422520
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon
OX14 3JE