1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
As a young person, the climate crisis is a terrifying prospect. 2020 was the hottest year on record, along with 2016. Even if we restrict temperature rises to 5 degrees, 1 in 5 people will see their cities underwater. When the government at Westminster isn’t doing enough, it’s up to local government to do what it can.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
The CEE is a necessary measure to tackle the climate crisis. We need a green, carbon neutral economy. I especially like the idea of a Citizens’ Assembly as a really democratic way of managing the transition.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
3. Motorised traffic in and through Oxford should be reduced 50% below present levels by 2030, to limit air pollution and increase space for cyclists and pedestrians.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
I agree and hopefully the Zero Emission Zone, Workplace Parking Levies, improved public transport, better cycle infrastructure, LTNs etc will combine to achieve something like this.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
4. Development decisions (planning and housing) should design out car-dependency and facilitate the creation of 15 minute neighbourhoods, where residents can access all daily goods and services within a 15 minute walk.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
Agreed, and the City Council’s local plan emphasises car free developments/district centres.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
Definitely. If we are to go net zero by 2040 – and I will push the County Council to commit to that if elected – then this is a necessary measure. I also think that retrofitting is important: The City Council’s spending quite a lot of money (£50 million) on retrofitting and the County should do likewise. FoE’s Supplementary Planning Document has a lot of interesting things to say on this.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
6. Local authorities should introduce policies and measures to enable all homes in Oxford and Oxfordshire to achieve an EPC rating of C or higher by 2035.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
We’re at the the point where renewable energy is pretty much as affordable as non-renewable. Community energy generation seems to me like the way forwards; the Low Carbon Hub is already doing great work on this front. I support the Local Electricity Bill and hope that it will enable the sale of community generated energy.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
8. Local authorities should use every available mechanism (including the planning system, grants and others), and support and enable innovation, to phase out fossil fuel use across Oxford, including domestic, business and industrial use as well as use in their own buildings and operations.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
I agree that councils should use any means at their disposal to get to net zero as soon as possible, including planning.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
9. The creation, protection and restoration of biodiversity and green spaces for all should be a priority for local authorities including the development of a Nature Recovery Network.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
I’d like to see a full Nature Recovery Strategy with designated Recovery zones, as recommended by the county’s Biodiversity Advisory Group.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
10. As Oxfordshire County Council candidate, I support the doubling of tree cover in Oxfordshire by 2045; AND/OR: As Oxford City Council candidate, I support Oxford making a significant contribution to doubling tree cover in Oxfordshire by 2045.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Strongly agree
I think the County Council’s already committed to this, partly due to the Oxfordshire Trees for the Future campaign, and I certainly agree with that commitment.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
11. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the development of a food system which promotes local production and use of agro-ecological methods (ie sustainable farming methods that work with nature).
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
Don’t know
I’m afraid that I don’t know very much about what this involves, although I think I support the principle!
Regisford, Dianne – Green
Strongly agree
12. Finally, in 100 words or less, please describe what you plan to contribute to ensuring a green and just recovery in Oxford/ Oxfordshire.
O’Connor, Michael – Labour
One of the reasons why I’m standing is because the County Council just isn’t doing enough on the climate. First of all, I want the County to commit to a net zero county by 2040 (or, indeed, even sooner). I’ll push for this on the council. Delivering this kind of commitment goes hand in hand with redressing inequalities in the city and county. I will support efforts by the City Council to roll out Connecting Oxford/the ZEZ and the implementation of a joined-up plan for community energy generation, which also makes people less dependent on energy companies. I want all homes to be zero carbon asap and support retrofitting older homes, which also helps to address issues like fuel poverty. I’d support extending the Workplace Parking Levy across pretty much the whole city and using the funding to improve bus links, especially in those areas of East Oxford that have poor transport links. Rolling out LTNs further, especially a proper one in Jericho, would also be at the top of my list.
Regisford, Dianne – Green
I plan to contribute to a green and just recovery in Oxford/Oxfordshire by Connecting Caring Communities. Community participation and fresh approaches to community engagement by enabling equity – not just access is key! There is not justice without social justice which genuinely engages the intersectional issues and pays more than lipservice to REDRESSing the impact of colonialism which exists in Oxford/Shire today – Social Justice and Climate Justice create an ecological connected society.
