Cllr Robin Bennett, County Councillor Report: November 2024

Robin.bennett@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Have your say on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

Earlier in 2024, OCC asked people and organisations in Oxfordshire about their priorities for nature’s recovery. Then, in May,  the council collected information about specific locations where people and organisations are planning actions to recover biodiversity in Oxfordshire. Now this information has been used to create draft versions of the LNRS documents and a map which you can find within the consultation page at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lnrs-phase3-consultation

The draft documents and map aim to summarise the top biodiversity priorities to people and organisations in Oxfordshire. The map also aims to identify specific locations where some of these actions could help to create 'areas that could become of particular importance to biodiversity' in the future.

Hearing your thoughts on these draft documents and the draft map will help to create a final Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Oxfordshire in 2025 so please do encourage anyone interested in this topic to take a look. Authorities across England have been appointed by government to create these Local Nature Recovery Strategies and government expect that these will create a set of strategies which, together will help to join up national efforts to reverse the decline of biodiversity.

A stable and healthy variety of species provides us with everything necessary for survival, from fresh water, clean air, and climate regulation to food and medicines and much more. These benefits do not come from individual species but from a rich variety of species working together.

OxLEP and the Business and Intellectual Property Centre 

Earlier this year, Government instructed county councils to take on the running of their Local Enterprise Partnerships (in Oxfordshire, that’s OxLEP), and indeed cut all remaining funding for them in the recent budget. The County Council already has an excellent Business and Intellectual Property Centre (at Oxford Library) which has some great resources for those running or starting up businesses. One such event on 21st November is “Startup Huddle”, designed to help local entrepreneurs. 1 or 2 preselected start-ups will present their business followed by QA and plenty of time for networking. 

Participants are encouraged to support one another with their local links, knowledge and insights, and it will be a great opportunity to explore all of the facilities and resources available to access for free at Oxfordshire Business & IP Centre.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/startup-huddle-networking-event-tickets-1050321639297

Pizza and politics - future generations event for young people on Friday 22nd November

Are you (or someone you know) secondary school age and able to join an in-person session where you can meet other young people?

• Want to find out more about local politics, and discuss local issues affecting young people with councillors?
• Fancy having pizza and receiving £15 as a thank you for taking part?!

If yes… get involved and have your say! We are running a Pizza and Politics sessions as part of our Future Generations Fortnight of activities for young people (aged 11 - 18) in Oxfordshire.

This will be a great opportunity for you to:

• learn about democratic processes, representation and how local politics works
• understand what the council’s role is
• think about your role in the community, representation and voting
• discuss what you think about your life in Oxfordshire and how it could be better for future generations of young people
• meet and chat to councillors and senior decision makers from Oxfordshire County Council and hear about their experiences
• be part of a Q & A session with decision makers
• meet new friends and have democracy and citizenship conversations

As a thank you, we will give you £15 (either as a voucher or a bank payment), cover any travel expenses, and give you a certificate to show you took part.

The deadline to apply is 14th November. https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/pizza-and-politics

 

Local transport and development issues

Garsington: I am following up with council teams to look at how best to address the current parking issues in Pettiwell and the green. Discussions are also ongoing about the ‘pinch point’.

I have asked the officer overseeing traffic plans for Northfield to meet with the PC chair. I plan to attend the ‘long term stewardship’ event for community facilities at Northfield alongside local residents and representatives.

I have also asked for better updates from council officers on OCC infrastructure (transport, schools etc) proposals for ALL the strategic sites in the division (Berinsfield, Culham, Northfield, Grenoble Rd), so more updates on these should follow. These sites are all at different stages of progress, with little info so far on the Grenoble Rd site, but Culham #1 and overall masterplan already at planning application stage (OCC has responded to the application).

Tuesday Full Council (5th Nov): I have asked a council question about punctuality of school travel from Berinsfield-Abingdon (45 and AB84).

I have also asked a question about the timetable for the A415/Tollgate Rd crossing (at Culham).

I have asked a formal question on the timetable for the sand and gravel extraction plan (Minerals and Waste Plan) which is always of interest/concern in our area. I gather that it was delayed by the changes to the NPPF in Dec 2023 but as these are now being reversed, I would expect progress soon.

And finally… I still have some funds left in my councillor priority fund which must be spent by the end of this month. Let me know if you have any suitable proposals! I have recently supported the refurbishment of the Warborough phone-box book exchange.