Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 117 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
Media
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Joy Aitman, Thomas Ashby, Andrew Coles, Liz Leffman, David Melvin, Martin McBride, Adrian Walsh, Alex Wilson. As Councillor Coles had sent apologies for the meeting, the Vice-Chair, Councillor Carl Rylett, chaired the meeting in his absence.
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations from Members of Council on any items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest were received as follows:
Councillor Dan Levy – Item 8, Options for Disposal Property in Witney, declared an interest as the site was vacant due to a County Council decision, which as the Cabinet Member for Finance at the County Council, he was responsible for. However, he stated he did not have a conflict of interest.
Councillor Ruth Smith – Motion C: Boosting Workplaces and Young People by Supporting Work Experience in the District – Declared that she proposed the motion but was also a teacher at Henry Box School. The motion would directly benefit the students she taught but she did not have a conflict of interest.
Councillor Steve Cosier also stated he was a teacher at a local school.
Councillor Andrew Beaney stated he was also a teacher at a local school and would leave the room when Motion C was being decided.
Councillor Phil Godfrey stated that Zara Godfrey, one of the public speakers, was his daughter in law. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2025. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Andy Graham proposed accepting the minutes of the previous meeting, Councillor Duncan Enright seconded this. Voting record - For 39, against 0, abstain 1
Council resolved to: Approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Receipt of Announcements To receive any announcements from The Chair, Leader, Members of the Executive, Head of Paid Service, Director of Finance or Director of Governance. Additional documents: Minutes: The Vice-Chair, in the Chair made the following announcements;
On behalf of the Council, the Vice-Chair expressed condolences to Councillor Joy Aitman following the sudden passing of her husband, Mark Aitman.
The Vice-Chair made the following announcements on behalf of the Chair, who had sent apologies for the meeting. This was a summary of the events that the Chair attended and organised;
The Vice-Chair also made the following announcements;
o 16 October, 5.30pm - Net Zero (Teams)
o 6 November, 5.30pm - Community Wellbeing (Teams) o 20 November, 5.30pm - Devolution and Mayoral Strategic Authorities (in person) o 4 December, 5.30pm - Ubico (Teams)
Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economic Development, made the following announcements; · Promoted refreshed charter markets in Witney and Chipping Norton. · Announced upcoming Food & Craft Fair and Christmas Market. · Highlighted the new Chipping Norton town map and potential for wider distribution.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, announced a new loan scheme in partnership with Lendology CIC to bring empty homes back into use.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska Executive Member for Environment announced that aWaterways Fair would be taking place on 25 October 2025 at the Corn Exchange, Witney.
Councillor Rachel, Crouch Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, made the following announcements;
Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy, announced recruitment for an Economic Regeneration Lead for the Carterton area, for which the closing date was 6 October 2025.
Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Change, congratulated the Nature Recovery Network (Katrina Bass & Kevin Martin) for winning the Oxford Climate Award for Biodiversity and Ecology.
Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, announced a new planning enforcement process allowing public and councillors to track progress of reported breaches online. |
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Participation of the Public To receive any submissions from members of the public, in accordance with the Council’s Public Participation Rules.
The deadline for submission is 2.00pm, two clear working days before the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Three members of the public had registered to speak and address Council on Motion E: Israel – Palestine; · Charlie Maynard MP spoke in support of the motion, as the MP for Witney and in a personal capacity. He highlighted his work on the Business and Trade Select Committee, which is responsible for scrutinising the UK’s arms exports. He highlighted private meetings with the Defence Minister and Minister for Trade and argued that the UK was breaching Article 7 of the Arms Trade Treaty. · Zara Godfrey spoke aas someone who was from Gaza and had been directly affected by the war as well as a law graduate. She appealed to Councillors to support the motion on humanitarian grounds, highlighting the personal losses she had suffered as a consequence of the war. She further condemned the Israeli Government’s refusal to allow independent journalists into Gaza. · SharoneParnes, a Councillor for Woodstock Town Council, who was not speaking in that capacity addressed the Council, stating that the motion was not in the Council’s responsibilities and that it was timed on the eve of Yom Kippur, which made it difficult for Jewish residents to attend. |
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Questions by Members The following questions have been submitted by Members of Council to Members of the Executive, in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Constitution Part 5A, Rule 12).
Written responses will be circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website at least one working day prior to the meeting. A Member submitting a question is entitled to ask one supplementary question at the meeting which must arise directly from the question or the response to it.
The supplementary questions and answers will be detailed in the minutes of the meeting.
Question 1: From Councillor Ruth Smith to Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy Executive: The playing fields at Madley Park in Witney have not been maintained for football or other sports, and therefore have not been used for football or other sports, for a number of years. There was a 2002 agreement between WODC and Wood Green School about their community and school use. The Pitch Playing Strategy and its update provide evidence that Witney's football pitches are used heavily and more are required for training and for matches. We hear from the clubs that this is keenly felt. Please can you give Council an update on WODC's next steps to get football going again on that site?
Question 2: From Councillor Ruth Smith to Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy Executive: Local basketball team representatives have been in touch with all 3 tiers of council to express interest in getting the outdoor court at the Windrush Leisure Centre operational as well as indoor courts. Can you please give an update on what steps can be taken by WODC -itself or in partnership with OCC or WTC or Better - to get that outdoor court up to the current specifications for that sport, in order to unlock another amenity and sport for our area?
Question 3: From Councillor Ruth Smith to Councillor Andrew Prosser Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery: Last year, a number of trees were felled in the WODC Wood Green carpark. Local residents, who witnessed the work, have been asking me questions about the reasons and permissions for felling those trees. Can you please update Council on the process that was followed for that tree work?
Additional documents: Minutes: Questions by Members, as listed on the agenda, and the responses to those questions, which were circulated in advance, were taken as read.
The Chair invited the questioners to ask a supplementary question if they wished and then invited the relevant Executive Members to respond.
The Written Questions, Written Answers, Verbal Supplementary Questions and Verbal Supplementary Answers are detailed in a separate document appended to the Minutes of the Meeting. |
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Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule Purpose To consider formal approval of the District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule following independent examination.
Recommendation The Executive on 10 September 2025 resolved to recommend to Council to: 1. Approve the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule attached at Annex B with an effective date of 31 January 2026 in accordance with Section 213 of the Planning Act 2008. 2. Delegate authority to the Head of Planning to further progress work on the draft CIL Implementation Plan, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cllr Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, introduced the item. Cllr Ashton addressed the following points;
Members discussed the report. The following points and questions for clarification were raised;
Cllr Alaric Smith seconded the proposal and stated that the adoption of CIL would be a significant step forward in securing funding for local infrastructure, by complementing Section 106 agreements to raise funding from smaller developments.
Resolved: That Council
Voting record – 40 for, 0 abstentions, 0 against. |
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Options for Out of District Investment Property Purpose To request Council to consider an officer recommendation to dispose of the out of district property, in accordance with the terms and reasons outlined in the report.
Recommendations That Council resolves to:
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Alaric Smith, the Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item and proposed approving the recommendation. He explained that the site was Knight’s Court, which was previously occupied by Oxfordshire County Council. The property team had been working with the commercial real estate company CBRE but limited commercial viability had been identified. Oxford City Council had offered to purchase the site with the view to redeveloping it for affordable housing. The Council was therefore recommended to dispose of the site. The sale would reduce the Council’s revenue costs and generate a capital receipt, which could be used for work such as purchasing temporary accommodation within the district.
Councillor Andy Graham, the Leader of the Council, seconded the recommendation.
Voting record – 40 for, 0 abstentions, 0 against.
Resolved: That Council
Delegated authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, to approve the final terms of sale including the sale price. |
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Recommendations from the Constitution Working Group Purpose To present Council with recommendations arising from meeting of the Constitution Working Group held on 17 September 2025.
Recommendations That Council resolves to: 1. Approve the updated Part 4G: Other Miscellaneous Functions (Annex A) 2. Approve the updated Part 4F: Functions in relation to Planning 3. Approve the updated rules for taking part in planning committees. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Alaric Smith, the Executive Member for Finance and the Chair of the Constitution Working Group, introduced the report. The purpose of the item was to present technical updates to the Constitution, including:
Councillor Smith stated that he considered the updates routine and noncontroversial.
Members asked the following question;
Councillor Michelle Mead seconded the proposal.
Voting record – For 40, against 0, abstentions 0
Resolved: That Council 1. Approved the updated Part 4G: Other Miscellaneous Functions (Annex A) 2. Approved the updated Part 4F: Functions in relation to Planning 3. Approved the updated rules for taking part in planning committees. |
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Appointments to Working Groups Purpose To inform Council of changes to working group membership made under delegated authority.
Recommendations That the Council resolves to: 1. Note that Councillor Sarah Veasey has replaced Councillor Adrian Walsh on the Local Plan Working Group 2. Note that Councillor David Melvin has replaced Councillor Lidia Arciszewska on the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group 3. Ratify the changes above. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Andy Graham introduced the item and explained that a correction had been issued to the agenda. The correct version read “that Councillor David Melvin has replaced Councillor Lidia Arciszewska on the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group” (not vice versa).
Councillor Duncan Enright seconded the recommendation to note the appointments to working groups, which was agreed by Council.
Voting record – For 40, against 0, abstentions 0
Resolved: That Council 1. Noted that Councillor Sarah Veasey has replaced Councillor Adrian Walsh on the Local Plan Working Group 2. Noted that Councillor David Melvin has replaced Councillor Lidia Arciszewska on the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group |
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Motion E: Israel-Palestine - Proposed by Councillor Andy Goodwin, seconded by Councillor Rosie Pearson Many residents and community groups of West Oxfordshire have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Israel/Palestine. Some residents are directly affected by the situation with family there.
The situation in Israel / Palestine is appalling. The background is long and complex. Hamas’s massacre of innocent Israeli people in October 2023 was heinous. Since 2001, the UK government has imposed comprehensive sanctions on Hamas and its leaders. The UK Government has been proscribed Hamas as a terrorist organisation, it is a crime to belong to or invite support of Hamas. The remaining Israeli hostages must be returned. The current actions of the Israeli government are unacceptable:
• The UN indicates that the IDF may have systematically violated the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack – fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. • The UN Human rights office says that the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem amount to a war crime. • The IPC (Integrated Food Security phase classification) says more than 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation destitution and death.
The UK government has been critical of recent events, restored funding to UNWRA, committed more aid to Gaza, suspended more arms licences to Israel, and added sanctions on several Israeli ministers and two “illegal settler outposts” in the West Bank.
We ask the Leader of WODC to write to local MPs and the secretary of state to draw their attention to the concerns raised by residents, asking:
• Call for Hamas to end all acts of terrorism and war crimes, to return all Israeli hostages immediately and unconditionally. • Confirm the UK would execute ICC arrest warrants against those accused of crimes in the conflict if they visited the UK. • Introduce an arms embargo on Israel, including component parts of military equipment delivered via third parties and apply economic sanctions on all leaders of the Israeli government. • Stop trade with Israeli settlements in occupied territories, call for the Israeli government to protect citizens of the West Bank from the increased levels of violence and not allow new Israeli settlements in occupied territories. • Call for the Israeli government to allow international journalists access to Gaza. • Call for the Israeli government to end their war crimes against Palestinians including: disproportionate use of force in Gaza; planned military operations in Gaza city; restricting aid organisations in delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza; and demolition of infrastructure in Gaza. • Set up an evacuation scheme for the seriously injured and malnourished, similar to that instigated by the Italian government
This Council: • Endorses the right of citizens to peaceful protest, including vigils, in the UK and welcomes the ability of communities to challenge and scrutinise decisions taken by elected representatives. • Requests the Portfolio Holder for Finance to undertake a review of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and where no contrary legal requirement exists, to avoid investing in authorities, institutions or groups that participate in, enable, profit ... view the full agenda text for item CL.39 Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair proposed suspending the Council’s standing orders in respect to Rule 13.2, in order to move the order of the motions and deal with Motion E first,
This was seconded and voted on.
Voting record - 34 for, 4 against, 2 abstentions.
Councillor Andy Goodwin proposed the motion. He thanked public speakers and stated that the motion was not about politics, but about the people affected. He stated that Hamas and the Israeli government had committed war crimes.
Councillor Goodwin read out his motion as follows;
Many residents and community groups of West Oxfordshire have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Israel/Palestine. Some residents are directly affected by the situation with family there.
The situation in Israel / Palestine is appalling. The background is long and complex. Hamas’s massacre of innocent Israeli people in October 2023 was heinous. Since 2001, the UK government has imposed comprehensive sanctions on Hamas and its leaders. The UK Government has been proscribed Hamas as a terrorist organisation, it is a crime to belong to or invite support of Hamas. The remaining Israeli hostages must be returned. The current actions of the Israeli government are unacceptable:
• The UN indicates that the IDF may have systematically violated the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack – fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. • The UN Human rights office says that the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem amount to a war crime. • The IPC (Integrated Food Security phase classification) says more than 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation destitution and death.
The UK government has been critical of recent events, restored funding to UNWRA, committed more aid to Gaza, suspended more arms licences to Israel, and added sanctions on several Israeli ministers and two “illegal settler outposts” in the West Bank.
We ask the Leader of WODC to write to local MPs and the secretary of state to draw their attention to the concerns raised by residents, asking:
• Call for Hamas to end all acts of terrorism and war crimes, to return all Israeli hostages immediately and unconditionally. • Confirm the UK would execute ICC arrest warrants against those accused of crimes in the conflict if they visited the UK. • Introduce an arms embargo on Israel, including component parts of military equipment delivered via third parties and apply economic sanctions on all leaders of the Israeli government. • Stop trade with Israeli settlements in occupied territories, call for the Israeli government to protect citizens of the West Bank from the increased levels of violence and not allow new Israeli settlements in occupied territories. • Call for the Israeli government to allow international journalists access to Gaza. • Call for the Israeli government to end their war crimes against Palestinians including: disproportionate use of force in Gaza; planned military operations in Gaza city; restricting aid organisations in delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza; and demolition of infrastructure in Gaza. |
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Motion B: Tackling the Illegal and Unsafe Use of E-Bikes in West Oxfordshire- Proposed by Councillor Liam Walker, Seconded by Councillor Jane Doughty West Oxfordshire District Council notes that the number of e-bikes and e-scooters being used illegally across Witney and the wider district has increased significantly in recent months. Residents, schools, businesses, and community groups have raised concerns about dangerous riding, use of e-bikes on pavements, the lack of helmets, and underage riders. Illegal and unsafe e-bike use poses risks to pedestrians, other road users, and to the riders themselves. The Council also recognises that whilst some successful enforcement has already taken place by Thames Valley Police, local authorities have an important role to play in prevention, awareness, and partnership working to address this issue.
Council resolves to: 1. Work with Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council to explore options for joint enforcement and awareness campaigns targeting unsafe and illegal e-bike use. 2. Launch a district-wide public awareness campaign to inform residents—especially young people and parents—about the rules around e-bikes, the risks of illegal use, and safe cycling practices. 3. Request the Executive to explore opportunities for funding community safety initiatives such as cycle safety workshops, signage, and school engagement projects. 4. Ask the Leader to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley urging greater prioritisation of enforcement against dangerous and illegal e-bike use in West Oxfordshire.
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Liam Walker introduced the motion, and read it out as follows;
“West Oxfordshire District Council notes that the number of e-bikes and e-scooters being used illegally across Witney and the wider district has increased significantly in recent months. Residents, schools, businesses, and community groups have raised concerns about dangerous riding, use of e-bikes on pavements, the lack of helmets, and underage riders. Illegal and unsafe e-bike use poses risks to pedestrians, other road users, and to the riders themselves. The Council also recognises that whilst some successful enforcement has already taken place by Thames Valley Police, local authorities have an important role to play in prevention, awareness, and partnership working to address this issue. Council resolves to: 1. Work with Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council to explore options for joint enforcement and awareness campaigns targeting unsafe and illegal e-bike use. 2. Launch a district-wide public awareness campaign to inform residents—especially young people and parents—about the rules around e-bikes, the risks of illegal use, and safe cycling practices. 3. Request the Executive to explore opportunities for funding community safety initiatives such as cycle safety workshops, signage, and school engagement projects. 4. Ask the Leader to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley urging greater prioritisation of enforcement against dangerous and illegal e-bike use in West Oxfordshire.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Jane Doughty.
An amendment was proposed by Councillor Geoff Saul. This was to amend the second recommendation to read “To ask the County Council and Thames Valley Police to launch public awareness campaign to inform residents—especially young people and parents—about the rules around e-bikes, the risks of illegal use, and safe cycling practices”
This was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the original motion.
The following points were raised in debate:
The amended motion was voted on and agreed as follows;
For 38, Against 0, Abstentions 1
Council resolved to:
1. Work with Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council to explore options for joint enforcement and awareness campaigns targeting unsafe and illegal e-bike use. 2. Ask the County Council and Thames Valley Police to launch public awareness campaign to inform residents—especially young people and parents—about the rules around e-bikes, the risks of illegal use, and safe cycling practices. 3. Request the Executive to explore opportunities for funding community safety initiatives such as cycle safety workshops, signage, and school engagement projects. 4. Ask the Leader to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley urging greater prioritisation of enforcement ... view the full minutes text for item CL.40 |
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Motion C: Boosting Workplaces and Young People by Supporting Work Experience in the District - Proposed by Councillor Ruth Smith, Seconded by Councillor Rachel Crouch Recommendation for Council to vote on: Council asks the Executive Committee to work with officers and members to develop a simple but effective system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of the work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places, so that the process is more equitable for young people. This is an initiative that can outlast Local Government Reorganisation as a valuable piece of local implementation of goals that fall under a wider authority.
Context for the motion: Work Experience forms part of careers education at Key Stages 4 and 5 (year 10-11 and 12-13). Gatsby Benchmark 6, within Statutory Guidance updated in May 2025 [1], states: Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks [by the ages of 16 and 18].
In West Oxfordshire, this means that schools release their students for one week of work experience in Year 10 or 11 and in Year 12. But despite the things the County Council and schools do, families and students still find it hard to know what local opportunities there are with employers. Many school students find placements with friends and family. Whilst convenient, this is not a level playing field and doesn’t necessarily match a student’s interests. Schools use their contacts for students who seem to have the most trouble finding their own placement. Schools have a lead member of staff, trained through the Oxfordshire Careers Hub, run by Oxfordshire Enterprise (Oxfordshire County Council). Each school does things its own way to build relationships with local companies. West Oxfordshire has the West Oxfordshire Schools Careers Partnership, with well-trained staff at each school and attempts to publicise work experience dates for each school to employers. WOSCP has no web presence of its own; it is cited by schools on their own sites. We can improve the situation in West Oxfordshire. This motion seeks, as part of WODC’s business-facing responsibilities, in line with its funding commitments to skills training (e.g. WODC’s allocation of the UKSPF) and its investment in a Youth Development officer, to help residents find employers in West Oxfordshire employers that offer placements - with a web page that: · Informs West Oxfordshire employers of all the schools’ work experience dates · Allows expression or interest or pledges of placements to be offered · Provides a way for employers to promote their participation and how to contact them appropriately · Retains the autonomy of companies to select their own candidates, but from a platform that signals willingness to engage, and equal opportunity. · Signposts to and integrates with the initiatives of Oxfordshire Enterprise and the Careers Hub without duplication Success will be if a placements are found more easily and if employers report a boost to their community profile. Officers may wish to work with schools, WOSCP and the Oxfordshire Careers Hub to shape the most effective format for this project. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools/careers-guidance-and-access-for-education-and-training-providers#benchmark-6-experiences-of-workplaces
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors Andrew Beaney and David Cooper left the meeting at this point. Councillor Beaney left the Chamber as he had declared an interest in the motion.
Cllr Ruth Smith introduced the motion, and read it out as follows;
Council asks the Executive Committee to work with officers and members to develop a simple but effective system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of the work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places, so that the process is more equitable for young people. This is an initiative that can outlast Local Government Reorganisation as a valuable piece of local implementation of goals that fall under a wider authority.
Work Experience forms part of careers education at Key Stages 4 and 5 (year 10-11 and 12-13). Gatsby Benchmark 6, within Statutory Guidance updated in May 2025 [1], states: Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks [by the ages of 16 and 18].
In West Oxfordshire, this means that schools release their students for one week of work experience in Year 10 or 11 and in Year 12. But despite the things the County Council and schools do, families and students still find it hard to know what local opportunities there are with employers. Many school students find placements with friends and family. Whilst convenient, this is not a level playing field and doesn’t necessarily match a student’s interests. Schools use their contacts for students who seem to have the most trouble finding their own placement. Schools have a lead member of staff, trained through the Oxfordshire Careers Hub, run by Oxfordshire Enterprise (Oxfordshire County Council). Each school does things its own way to build relationships with local companies. West Oxfordshire has the West Oxfordshire Schools Careers Partnership, with well-trained staff at each school and attempts to publicise work experience dates for each school to employers. WOSCP has no web presence of its own; it is cited by schools on their own sites. We can improve the situation in West Oxfordshire. This motion seeks, as part of WODC’s business-facing responsibilities, in line with its funding commitments to skills training (e.g. WODC’s allocation of the UKSPF) and its investment in a Youth Development officer, to help residents find employers in West Oxfordshire employers that offer placements - with a web page that: · Informs West Oxfordshire employers of all the schools’ work experience dates · Allows expression or interest or pledges of placements to be offered · Provides a way for employers to promote their participation and how to contact them appropriately · Retains the autonomy of companies to select their own candidates, but from a platform that signals willingness to engage, and equal opportunity. · Signposts to and integrates with the initiatives of Oxfordshire Enterprise and the Careers Hub without duplication Success will be if a placements are found more easily and if employers report a boost to their community ... view the full minutes text for item CL.41 |
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Motion D: The Impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on Local Planning and Environmental Protection - Proposed by Councillor Genny Early, Seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser Council Notes: 1. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposes new systems like Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) and a Nature Restoration Levy (NRL), which would affect how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) handle development whilst protecting nature. 2. Under the Bill, Natural England will prepare EDPs , with decisions signed off by the Secretary of State for Housing rather than the SoS for the Environment. This takes away local council input , could ignore Local knowledge about wildlife /habitats, end the onsite mitigation and delivery of compensation within the district. 3. The Bill suggests EDPs could replace the need for on-site ecological surveys/ impact assessments, which ensure development doesn’t harm protected species or habitats. 4. Since 2024, councils are responsible for ensuring new developments achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG),which requires developers to carry out habitat surveys, improve biodiversity by > 10%, and manage those improvements for 30 years. The Bill does not replace/remove BNG, but introduces extra layers without explaining how they will work together, risking confusion, duplication, and extra workload for councils. 5. The Government says the Bill will make planning decisions faster for developers, but centralising key decisions, involving the Secretary of State and multiple national bodies like Natural England, and still needing to consult councils, could increase complexity and time.
Council Believes: 1. The Bill should specify how the mitigation hierarchy will be applied so avoidance of harm to nature is always the first priority, closing loopholes that could make compensation the default. 2. Local councils/ communities should continue to play a key role in planning for biodiversity, using local knowledge. Pre-applications enable Local Planning Authorities to work collaboratively with developers to make planning applications and BNG proposals better quality. 3. Removing local control of environmental planning, relying instead on national agencies, could lead to worse outcomes for wildlife, and less accountability. Whilst landscape-scale conservation is needed, the EDP/NRL approach could lead to localised declines in biodiversity. 4. Without on-site ecological surveys/impact assessments, which ensure new developments follow the law and protect nature , information about the loss of locally important populations would not be recorded and national declines in species may be missed or inadequately compensated. 5. Any new environmental systems must be joined up with existing BNG requirements. Councils must get resources to manage them. 6. Species are rarely “blockers” to development - few developments are refused for ecological reasons in West Oxfordshire. However, EDPs could be beneficial if applied to diffuse environmental impacts such as air and water quality, recreational pressure and nutrient neutrality.
Council Resolves: To request that the Leader of the Council writes to the relevant Ministers/local MPs, outlining the Council’s concerns, calling for changes to better protect wildlife while enhancing local democracy and planning accountability:
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Liam Walker left the meeting before this item was discussed.
Councillor Genny Early proposed the motion. The motion was read as follows;
Council Notes: 1. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposes new systems like Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) and a Nature Restoration Levy (NRL), which would affect how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) handle development whilst protecting nature. 2. Under the Bill, Natural England will prepare EDPs , with decisions signed off by the Secretary of State for Housing rather than the SoS for the Environment. This takes away local council input , could ignore Local knowledge about wildlife /habitats, end the onsite mitigation and delivery of compensation within the district. 3. The Bill suggests EDPs could replace the need for on-site ecological surveys/ impact assessments, which ensure development doesn’t harm protected species or habitats. 4. Since 2024, councils are responsible for ensuring new developments achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG),which requires developers to carry out habitat surveys, improve biodiversity by > 10%, and manage those improvements for 30 years. The Bill does not replace/remove BNG, but introduces extra layers without explaining how they will work together, risking confusion, duplication, and extra workload for councils. 5. The Government says the Bill will make planning decisions faster for developers, but centralising key decisions, involving the Secretary of State and multiple national bodies like Natural England, and still needing to consult councils, could increase complexity and time.
Council Believes: 1. The Bill should specify how the mitigation hierarchy will be applied so avoidance of harm to nature is always the first priority, closing loopholes that could make compensation the default. 2. Local councils/ communities should continue to play a key role in planning for biodiversity, using local knowledge. Pre-applications enable Local Planning Authorities to work collaboratively with developers to make planning applications and BNG proposals better quality. 3. Removing local control of environmental planning, relying instead on national agencies, could lead to worse outcomes for wildlife, and less accountability. Whilst landscape-scale conservation is needed, the EDP/NRL approach could lead to localised declines in biodiversity. 4. Without on-site ecological surveys/impact assessments, which ensure new developments follow the law and protect nature , information about the loss of locally important populations would not be recorded and national declines in species may be missed or inadequately compensated. 5. Any new environmental systems must be joined up with existing BNG requirements. Councils must get resources to manage them. 6. Species are rarely “blockers” to development - few developments are refused for ecological reasons in West Oxfordshire. However, EDPs could be beneficial if applied to diffuse environmental impacts such as air and water quality, recreational pressure and nutrient neutrality.
Council Resolves: To request that the Leader of the Council writes to the relevant Ministers/local MPs, outlining the Council’s concerns, calling for changes to better protect wildlife while enhancing local democracy and planning accountability:
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Motion A: Asylum Seeker Community and Council Support - Proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright West Oxfordshire District Council reaffirms a) its pride and appreciation in the way our local community has and have come together to support asylum seekers. Local organisations, voluntary groups and our officers have shown professionalism and empathy to the plight of the families staying in the hotel in Witney for short periods while their asylum applications are processed. It has been a good collaborative effort across public sector partners to support the hotel and make sure those staying there are supported as well as local communities. We have seen our communities donate clothes, bicycles and other items to help the predominantly families housed in the hotel. The empathy and compassion shown is a true testament to the strong, inclusive communities we have here in West Oxfordshire. This Council reaffirms b) that here is no room for those who wish to divide our communities by raising fear through misinformation and heightened rhetoric. We believe hotels are not the best form of accommodation in the long term for those seeking asylum and we expect the government will continue to look at alternatives in a pragmatic and measured way to reduce their use. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the hotel is well managed while it remains in its current use. This Council believes c) As it currently stands the Council have no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney as we do not believe there are any planning or other grounds to take enforcement action Additional documents: Minutes: As Council had agreed to re-order the motions to take Motion E first, Motion A was taken last to maintain the rotation between political groups on the advice of the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services.
Cllr Graham introduced the motion, reading it out as follows;
West Oxfordshire District Council reaffirms a) its pride and appreciation in the way our local community has and have come together to support asylum seekers. Local organisations, voluntary groups and our officers have shown professionalism and empathy to the plight of the families staying in the hotel in Witney for short periods while their asylum applications are processed. It has been a good collaborative effort across public sector partners to support the hotel and make sure those staying there are supported as well as local communities. We have seen our communities donate clothes, bicycles and other items to help the predominantly families housed in the hotel. The empathy and compassion shown is a true testament to the strong, inclusive communities we have here in West Oxfordshire. This Council reaffirms b) that here is no room for those who wish to divide our communities by raising fear through misinformation and heightened rhetoric. We believe hotels are not the best form of accommodation in the long term for those seeking asylum and we expect the government will continue to look at alternatives in a pragmatic and measured way to reduce their use. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the hotel is well managed while it remains in its current use. This Council believes c) As it currently stands the Council have no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney as we do not believe there are any planning or other grounds to take enforcement action
Councillor Graham introduced the motion, stating that people had fled their homes through no fault of their own and the Council stood to support them. He stated that the motion was about expressing community values and solidarity with people who had faced displacement. He also criticised those who he deemed sought to spread fear and dishonesty.
Councillor Duncan Enright seconded the motion.
The motion was debated, and the following points were raised;
In summing up, Councillor Graham expressed how welcome it was to have unanimous support across the chamber.
The motion was voted on and agreed ... view the full minutes text for item CL.43 |
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Date of Next Meeting Purpose At the previous Council meeting, the Chair used their discretion to schedule an extraordinary meeting, to be held on 22 October 2025 in order to agree the Council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation. In order to align this with other
Recommendations That Council resolves to: 1. Agree to move the date of the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 22 October 2025 to 5 November 2025 at 2pm. 2. Agree to move the date of the November Overview and Scrutiny meeting from 5 November 2025 to 4 November 2025 at 2pm. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair stated that the following meetings would take place in order to discuss local government reorganisation (LGR), and this would mean moving the Extraordinary Council meeting scheduled for 5 November.
Tue 11 November – O&S, 5.30pm Wed 12 November – full Council, 2.00pm Wed 12 November – Executive, on the rising of full Council
This was seconded by Councillor Graham and put to a vote, it was agreed unanimously.
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Exclusion of Public and Press If Council wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for Council to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Council may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Additional documents: Minutes: The Council did not exclude the press and public. |
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Exempt Annex C for item 8: Out of district investment property Minutes: This was not discussed. |