1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
The climate emergency is the most pressing issue facing the World, all policies should be evaluated to ensure that at best that they have a positive impact on the climate and at worst they are neutral.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
I have worked at a council in west London for two years. I know it is possible to integrate an appreciation of our climate emergency into a council’s policies. It should be done because the climate crisis is real and council decisions (incl. on housing, transport, energy, conservation) play a part in mitigating it.
Smith, Linda – Labour
Agree
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
I strongly support the Climate Emergency Bill especially the emphasis on ensuring that the burden isn’t placed on the poorest in society.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
I have signed the candidate pledge to support the CEE. It focuses on climate action at all levels of government and robust, democratic participation in that action. It is urgently important.
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Agree
We should ensure that the city is accessible for pedestrians and cyclists and work to reduce air pollution levels. We need to prioritise the creation of separate cycle lanes and build new infrastructure for cycling/walking . We also need to improve bus times and reduce prices so that bus transport is more attractive than driving into the city.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Following the principles set out by the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, I believe it is possible to reduce motorised traffic in a way that doesn’t impose too much of a burden on local businesses and residents, while still improving pollution levels and safety.
Smith, Linda – Labour
Neither agree or disagree
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
I think post Covid more people will be working from home so there will be a resurgence of local neighbourhoods , we need to ensure that people are able to access essential shops and services.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
The environmental, health and wellbeing effects of this policy would be strong.
Smith, Linda – Labour
Agree
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
As it says in our manifesto we need to build to zero carbon, genuinely adopting the highest possible standards in the Local Plan.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Sustainable housing, from insulation to energy usage, is crucial in a national zero carbon effort. Where possible with local council funding, this should be the aspiration. Central government grants should support this.
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
We should incentivise homeowners and landlords to improve the environmental efficiency of their properties as much as possible.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
This aim will build on the city’s existing but inadequate minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial properties.
Smith, Linda – Labour
Agree
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
The council should adopt policies to encourage investment in renewable energy and invest in renewable energy itself where practicable.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
A review of planning policies should take place to assist this and the council should work with the large local employers for example the universities and hospitals to achieve this aim.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
The lockdowns over the last year have shown the importance of green spaces for the mental health of the local population, they should be accessible to all and biodiversity should be protected.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Biodiversity in the UK is alarmingly threatened, and I would use any influence I have as an elected representative to make the council promote conservation in Oxford.
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
We need to ensure that tree cover is increased where practicable. All new developments should be required to include new trees where possible.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
The city should play a part in promoting greater tree cover in the county. The impact on biodiversity and emissions will set an example for neighbouring counties.
Smith, Linda – Labour
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).
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
Both councils should ensure that all food that they purchase is local and sustainably produced.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Strongly agree
Smith, Linda – Labour
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.
Joshua, Beverley – Liberal Democrat
I will work to ensure that all policies adopted by the council help to address the climate emergency, and ensure that the council uses it’s investment power to improve the environment and work for a green and just recovery. I will also ensure that the council works in partnership with employers to ensure that the recovery works for all in Oxford and for the environment.
O’Sullivan, Will – Green
Though it may not factor heavily into residents’ thinking, the sum of local government policies in our country have a huge impact on the health of our environment and ecosystem. I would particularly support low carbon transport across the city, sustainable energy use in housing developments in Oxford city (insulation schemes, low carbon fuels) and conservation of the precious Lye Valley SSSI habitat. These policies, indirectly, would help to lift the burden on the NHS (through reducing ill health) and could stimulate economic growth in sustainable industries (low carbon energy, insulation).
Smith, Linda – Labour
Oxford City Council manage over 600 hectares of green space. As the cabinet member responsible for parks I want to continue our work to increase biodiversity through managing our sites for nature and restoring/creating wildlife habitats. We’ve also just adopted a new policy for verge management to promote wildflowers and biodiversity, and I hope we can expand on this. As the cabinet member responsible for lesiure I will help oversee over £10 million of investment in decarbonising our leisure facilities.
