1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
This should be basic to all governmental thinking.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
Oxford Green Councillors proposed Oxford declare a climate and ecological emergency in January 2019. Green Councillors are committed in light of this emergency to putting resources and having a plan of action in all local authority decision making
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
The climate crisis is an emergency and should be at the heart of our decision making
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
Again, this should be basic to local and national government policy.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
It was Green Councillors who successfully proposed a motion to the City Council to support the CEE Bill. This motion urges MP’s to support the Bill, as yet the City’s Labour MP has not done so.
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
The CEE bill has been discussed and motions passed at many branch meetings across the city
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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Disagree
I’d like to see a greater reduction, and believe this to be achievable.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
If we are to tackle the CEE we have to aim for a 50% target for reducing motorised traffic and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. This is in line with the independent research Commissioned by The Oxford Citizens Assembly which is supported by The Greens
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
We have to reduce the traffic. Motorised access to the city should be reduced alongside the development of truly effective cheap, clean, efficient, inclusive, accessible, public, 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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Agree
This would need more work, but the last year has shown good evidence for the value of local goods and services.
Siantonas, Andrew – Labour
Strongly agree
This is an excellent way of reducing motorised traffic within Oxford and promoting active travel
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Greens submitted amendment to the Local Plan enquiry and the creation of 15 minute neighbourhoods forms a key part in the Oxford City Manfesto along with public transport links and the necessary planning.
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
Local is the answer promoting strong supportive community
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
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
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
This is not currently in the Local Plan. The Greens have stated that this technical and legally possible. Without zero carbon standard new build we are failing to respond to the CEE Bill
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
This is crucial alongside prioritising upgrading our stock of social housing to reduce household expenditure for those on lowest incomes first.
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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
This would be beneficial to the environment and to home owners.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Cosy Homes project needs to rolled out and funded as a priority.
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
This should be our aspiration and should reflect government initiatives, prioritisation and supportive funding.
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Greens want cheap Council borrowing to be invested in Green energy projects etc.. but instead the Council invested 20 million in commercial properties
Williams, Judi – Labour
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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
This would require considerable review of planning and other policies, but is essential.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
Williams, Judi – Labour
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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Oxford City Council does not have up to date biodiversity plan. The Green Councillors have won tentative Council support for a proposed new National Park in the north east of the city.
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
This is also a priority for the mental health and well being of our citizens
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.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
The benefits of trees are obvious and widely known: the City Council could and should do more to promote them in Oxford.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Green Party are supporters of The Friends of the Earth campaign to double tree cover and also support community tree planting projects. We also want to ensure more preservation orders on existing trees. The biodiversity and carbon capture in ancient/mature woodlands must be preserved
Williams, Judi – Labour
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).
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Strongly agree
The Greens recently won support for a new Oxford food strategy bringing together the health, social and environmental aspects of our food supply chains, aiming to reduce the inequalities within these systems. We support localism and agro-ecologiacl farming that captures carbon in healthy soils, prioritising biodiversity and sustainability as core farming principles
Williams, Judi – Labour
Strongly agree
I think this is in line with the pursuit of local and greater community
12. Finally, in 100 words or less, please describe what you plan to contribute to ensuring a green and just recovery in Oxford/ Oxfordshire.
Goddard, Steve – Liberal Democrat
I will do my best to continue to promote the environment as a councillor, by continuing to oppose use of harmful pesticides, promote environmentally-friendly mowing routines and the like. One of the reasons why I first became politically active was a desire to protect the natural environment.
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.
Wilkinson, Jane – Green
Our Green New Deal addresses the Climate Emergency by our zero carbon policies, more localised circular economy with a funded net zero target whilst addressing the housing crisis and inequalities. Councils need to invest in renewable energy projects and rewrite Local Plan policies for sustainable buildings and invest in social housing. We are committed to a reducing carbon emissions by sustainable public transport, improved cycle ways and electrification of transport by increasing the charging network. Green spaces and woodlands should be increased and accessible for improving public well being and priority given to sustainable management to maximise the biodiversity of our shared green spaces
Williams, Judi – Labour
I would actively support the principles outlined in this questionnaire in contributing to decision making. They are priorities and I would seek to marry/ seek to overlap these aspirations with the needs of the most vulnerable in the city for employment and housing.
