Content

Resolved
 

(1)         
That the following motion be
adopted:
 
“Increasing
our renewable energy production by wind or solar is vital –
yet there is an inconsistency of approach in Cherwell. While wind
projects and their suitability for Cherwell’s environment and
community needs was independently researched in 2019 for the Local
Plan Review, no equivalent independent research was undertaken for
solar projects. 
 
The pathway to the increase in solar generation is
unclear.  Requirements for solar panels on new domestic and
commercial buildings are limited and there is no programme for the
widespread retrofitting of photovoltaics on public, commercial and
domestic properties, nor is there a comprehensive solar power plan
integrating all means of solar power generation, only an apparent
reliance on the emergence of commercial solar farm proposals. 
There has been a proliferation of solar farm projects in the
district, and we currently  face the potential construction
(mainly in West Oxfordshire and partially in Cherwell) of the
largest solar farm in Europe - and one of the largest in the
world.
 
We ask the Executive to consider commissioning a
robust, research-based strategy for solar electricity
production in Cherwell, in order to achieve the optimum balance
of  power generation  by solar farms, by roof panels
on new commercial and residential developments, and, crucially,
their retrofitting on existing public, business and domestic
buildings. Two key criteria underpinning this solar power strategy
should be environmental impacts and domestic food production
needs.”
 

(2)         
That the following motion be
adopted:
 
We
have seen the cost of living crisis leave many of our
residentswith unacceptable choices between
heating or eating.
 
However, the cost of living crisis has caused
highlighted another crucial issue: period poverty. Many
women and girls do not have access to sanitary products due
to the rising cost of other essentials such as food and
energy, which are necessarily being prioritised.
 
A
poll by Action Aid in May 2023 showed that more than 21% or 1 in 5
women and people who menstruate are experiencing period poverty.
Furthermore, the percentage of those affected has risen from 12% to
21% in just one year.
 
Being unable to comfortably leave home for several
days every month due to lack of sanitary products is
unbearable for the individuals and missing work or school has
further financial or educational implications.
 
There are also serious health risks: 41% of
respondents used sanitary products for much longer than recommended
and 8% resorted to re-using disposal products. In addition to the
physical dangers, the impact of shame and anxiety on mental health
is significant.
 
I
hope members will agree this situation is unacceptable in society
and in our district. 
 
To
combat period poverty, this Council asks the
Executive
 
a)   
to investigate and report back on
the number of accessible locations across the Council’s
estate where free sanitary products can feasibly and sensitively be
provided.
 
b)   
to consider the report and the
recommendations therein to make a decision on
implementation.”
 

(3)         
That the following motion be
adopted:
 
"This council is experiencing unprecedented levels of
people presenting as homeless. A key driver of this is landlords
serving Section 21, so-called 'no fault', eviction notices on their
tenants.
 
Since 2019, the Conservative government has promised
to abolish Section 21 notices and included this as part of its
Private Renters Reform Bill.
 
This has now been indefinitely delayed.
 
Only a year ago, this council overwhelmingly voted in
favour of the government enacting the Private Renters Reform Bill;
with the Lead Member for Housing mandated to write to the
government to that effect.
 
This council condemns the decision to delay the ban
on Section 21 notices and calls on the Leader of the Council to
communicate this to our Members of Parliament and the government in
the strongest possible terms."
 

(4)         
That the following motion be
adopted:
 
“This Council notes that over the last few
years, in-person access to essential services has been
greatly reduced, from banking services to our own council
services, while residents are required to travel further
or use online services, which in some cases is difficult
or not suitable for the most vulnerable who need
these services most. Banks alone have closed over 200 branches
in the UK this year, with Banbury, Bicester, and Kidlington having
already lost branches and/or the provision of counter service.
  
 
This Council believes it should do what it can to
help maintain easy access to these vital services. Banking hubs
have already been set up elsewhere and been proven to
work. We could not only take a lesson from these, but seek to
improve the hub concept by including access to services
CDC itself provides, noting the closure of CDC counters.
 
 
This motion therefore calls on the Executive to:
  
 
1.   
Investigate the feasibility of creating
service hubs within our localities and what they can usefully
provide, including considering best practice from other local
authorities.
 
2.   
Develop a strategy that facilitates the
use of service hubs to better provide access and support to our
communities within our powers.”
 
(For information:
The “Right to Grow” motion was deferred to the February
Council meeting)