1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
Shouldn’t need explaining to anyone in a decision making role- it is the key challenge facing us as a society and as a planet
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
The situation is so serious both councils need to use all their powers to move to net carbon zero in all their operations asap. Every policy decision to be made must be assessed for its environmental impact and how it will help solve the climate emergency.
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
The bill is a cross party attempt to get a national consensus on this issue which is essential if the country is to take the steps needed to deal with the climate emergency.
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Agree
I agree with the ambition behind the answer, but as so often with surveys the binary wording is a bit unhelpful: “in…Oxford” is not defined, and “motorised” could include zero-carbon. Certainly more priority for cyclists and pedestrianisation, and greening
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
Limiting air pollution is vital for health and wider environmental reasons. Space for cyclists/pedestrians will be created in the confined spaces of Oxford. Priority must be given to disabled and other groups with limited mobility to access motorised transport.
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Absolutely: but recognising that some residents can’t do this, and that requirements for “daily goods and services” vary
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
This is an excellent way of reducing motorised traffic within Oxford and promoting active travel
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
Or better!
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
It would be futile to build homes now that would need to be retrofitted to zero carbon standards in a few years time
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Absolutely has to be the aim. There are challenges around, e.g. older housing stock, but 2035 ought to be achievable
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
The local authorities must use their powers, example and influence to ensure this happens, though they may not have the powers to make this happens on their own.
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
A key element in reducing reliance on carbon, and in local generation
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
The City council is already installing solar panels and batteries and sites across the city. It can make it a planning condition to include for instance solar panels incorporated into new housing.
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
A thorough review of planning policies, ideally across all PAs in the county, would be a robust start
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
Th city council has already started this process pledging to be net carbon zero by no later than 2030. It has taken the lead along with partners to ensure Oxford city as a whole is net carbon zero by no later than 2040.
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
There is increasing scientific evidence of the benefit to mental health and wellbeing as well as physical health. Nature-based solutions to e.g. flooding should also be given much greater attention
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
The city council protects many of our green spaces like Port Meadow and Cutteslowe Park. By requiring green spaces to be incorporated into new developments it can help to increase the bio-diversity we need if life is to continue on our planet.
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.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Again, a slightly broad-brush statement covering an important ambition: not all trees are equally desirable, and “tree cover” is not always the most appropriate form of intervention (e.g. re-wilding). Tree planting should also be factored into e.g. carbon capture and flood prevention initiatives
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
Trees need to be appropriate to the terrain they are to planted in. I have no idea how ambitious the target is but trees are essential for clean air, preventing flooding and increasing bio-diversity. Both councils must work to implement this target.
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).
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
The UK govt 25-year plan and moves away from the EU subsidy model are an important opportunity to engage farmers and landowners with conserving natural capital as well as reducing food miles and making more efficient use of land.
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Agree
Agree but need to ensure that prices are kept at a level which all groups within society can pay. Also there is a possible conflict between this and planting trees in qn 10 which would need to be resolved.
12. Finally, in 100 words or less, please describe what you plan to contribute to ensuring a green and just recovery in Oxford/ Oxfordshire.
Gant, Andrew – Liberal Democrat
A proper review of the Green Belt rather than allocating housing need to each LA then allowing each to decide which bit of its own Green Belt to allocate. Genuine baseline assessment of Natural Capital across Oxfordshire and beyond. Much more greening of the city centre to benefit physical and mental health and air quality. Nature-based solutions to e.g. flooding. Enhance sustainable transport to reduce car use, inc rail.
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
If I am elected as a councillor I would use my position to ensure the policies discussed above are implemented. But whether elected or not I will continue to try to live my life in a way that is compatible to preventing the climate emergency. I cycle or walk for local trips and I minimise the use of my car. As we come out of the pandemic I will resume my use of public transport. When funds permit I will move to an electric car and change the heating system in my home. I am reducing my consumption of meat and reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible. If everyone is helped to make small changes, large steps can be taken.
