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Agenda item

Motion A: Protecting Fire Services in West Oxfordshire

Proposed by: Councillor Liam Walker

Seconded by: Councillor Nick Leverton

 

Council notes:

  1. That Oxfordshire County Council is currently considering proposals that include the potential closure of two on-call fire stations within West Oxfordshire: Eynsham Fire Station and Woodstock Fire Station.
  2. That both stations provide vital emergency response capability for their communities and surrounding areas, and their crews contribute significantly to safeguarding residents, businesses, heritage assets, and critical transport infrastructure.
  3. That West Oxfordshire is a growing district, with new housing developments, increased traffic volumes, and expanding commercial activity—all of which place greater, not lesser, demand on local emergency response capacity.
  4. That the loss of either station could risk slower response times, reduced local resilience, and diminished fire cover for incidents such as road traffic collisions, flooding, and property fires.

 

Council believes:

  1. That maintaining strong, localised fire and rescue provision is essential for community safety and public confidence.
  2. That any reduction in fire cover within West Oxfordshire is unacceptable and would represent a step backwards in protecting residents, especially in rural and semi-rural areas.
  3. That decisions on fire station closures must prioritise public safety above financial or administrative considerations.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

  1. Formally oppose the proposed closure of Eynsham and Woodstock Fire Stations.
  2. Ask the Council Leader write to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety urging her to withdraw the proposals and to commit to maintaining full operational status at both stations.
  3. Support local firefighters and residents in campaigning to retain emergency fire cover in West Oxfordshire.

Minutes:

Councillor Liam Walker introduced the motion he was proposing on behalf of the Conservative Group. The motion was as follows;

 

Council notes:

  1. That Oxfordshire County Council is currently considering proposals that include the potential closure of two on-call fire stations within West Oxfordshire: Eynsham Fire Station and Woodstock Fire Station.
  2. That both stations provide vital emergency response capability for their communities and surrounding areas, and their crews contribute significantly to safeguarding residents, businesses, heritage assets, and critical transport infrastructure.
  3. That West Oxfordshire is a growing district, with new housing developments, increased traffic volumes, and expanding commercial activity—all of which place greater, not lesser, demand on local emergency response capacity.
  4. That the loss of either station could risk slower response times, reduced local resilience, and diminished fire cover for incidents such as road traffic collisions, flooding, and property fires.

Council believes:

  1. That maintaining strong, localised fire and rescue provision is essential for community safety and public confidence.
  2. That any reduction in fire cover within West Oxfordshire is unacceptable and would represent a step backwards in protecting residents, especially in rural and semi-rural areas.
  3. That decisions on fire station closures must prioritise public safety above financial or administrative considerations.

Council therefore resolves to:

  1. Formally oppose the proposed closure of Eynsham and Woodstock Fire Stations.
  2. Ask the Council Leader write to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety urging her to withdraw the proposals and to commit to maintaining full operational status at both stations.
  3. Support local firefighters and residents in campaigning to retain emergency fire cover in West Oxfordshire.

 

Councillor Walker stated that he would be altering his motion in order to refer the motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. At this point there was a discussion over whether that would preclude the Council from debating the motion. This was due to perceived ambiguity over Council procedure rule 13.6 which stated “If the subject matter of any motion of which notice has been given falls within the remit of any Committee of the Council, or of the Executive, when it has been proposed and seconded it shall stand referred without discussion to that Committee or the Executive.”

 

The Chair took another break for ten minutes in order to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer. Upon reconvening the meeting the Chair explained that the alteration would be voted on in the first instance.

 

The alteration was debated and it was felt by some that the motion no longer made sense as altered. The alteration was accepted by the seconder, councillor Nick Leverton and was voted on as follows.

 

Voting record – Against 27, For 11, Abstentions 2

 

The alteration fell.

 

It was stated that rule 13.6 should be reviewed by the Constitution Working Group to ensure clarity.

 

Councillor Alaric Smith then proposed referring the motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was clarified that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would then be responsible for determining what, if any, action to take in relation to the motion. This was seconded by Councillor Ruth Smith and Voted on.

 

Voting record – For 39, Abstentions 0

 

Resolved: To refer the motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and for the Committee to determine whether action is to be taken by the Council.

 

Before closing the meeting, the Chair wished the Council a Merry Christmas.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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