This has been agreed by all Lib Dem Councillors and represents our views..........Liz Wade
DEMOCRACY QUESTIONS FOR ALL COUNCIL CANDIDATES
1. What do you think have been the most effective actions your council has taken to deliver democracy locally during the Coronavirus pandemic? Eg housing the homeless, setting up support hubs, waiving local property taxes, providing more cycleways, etc
For Liberal Democrats delivering democracy is a fundamental issue. Any democracy worth having will treat those who are in a minority as equally valuable as those who form the democratic majority. There must be an insistence on minority rights and on increasing active participation both by citizens and others in politics and civic life.
The pandemic has provided unsuspected opportunities to promote this fundamental objective: i) housing the homeless through central government grants; ii) increasing severe weather emergency provision (SWEP); iii) not proceeding with evictions of social housing tenants; iv) agreeing temporary ‘holidays’ from rents and business rates; v) setting up support hubs and appointing street champions.
2. For each of these please describe briefly how they have contributed to local democratic participation, eg how/have the homeless had a say on how and where they have been housed and what they personally might do to help others?
3. How have you worked together with local community and street support groups?
Lib Dem candidates/councillors have been involved at every level – as street champions, food larder volunteers, attending community meetings, delivering food parcels for the Gatehouse.
4. To what extent has the pandemic led you to do/think about doing things differently as a locally elected representative to work/act democratically?
The pandemic has brought to the fore the fundamental dignity and right to equality of every person, UK citizen or not. This has been recognised locally in the provision of basic necessities - accommodation and food. We will go back to holding physical surgeries as soon as possible, and in the meantime are extending our reach on social media so that we can hear from as many people as possible.
5. Following the implementation of the 2019 Oxford Citizens’ Assembly into cabinet member’s responsibilities, how has this helped / will this help you to work on climate emergency measures?
Our policy document on climate emergency and green issues has been prepared jointly by a team of councillors and candidates. The 2019 Citizens’ Assembly has been overtaken by events – the pandemic, financial uncertainty, the imminence of COP26. Our policy headlines are:
DEMOCRACY QUESTIONS FOR ALL COUNCIL CANDIDATES
1. What do you think have been the most effective actions your council has taken to deliver democracy locally during the Coronavirus pandemic? Eg housing the homeless, setting up support hubs, waiving local property taxes, providing more cycleways, etc
For Liberal Democrats delivering democracy is a fundamental issue. Any democracy worth having will treat those who are in a minority as equally valuable as those who form the democratic majority. There must be an insistence on minority rights and on increasing active participation both by citizens and others in politics and civic life.
The pandemic has provided unsuspected opportunities to promote this fundamental objective: i) housing the homeless through central government grants; ii) increasing severe weather emergency provision (SWEP); iii) not proceeding with evictions of social housing tenants; iv) agreeing temporary ‘holidays’ from rents and business rates; v) setting up support hubs and appointing street champions.
2. For each of these please describe briefly how they have contributed to local democratic participation, eg how/have the homeless had a say on how and where they have been housed and what they personally might do to help others?
- housing the homeless has been a top-down initiative. Units were found initially in hotels and later in student /YHA blocks but choice has not been possible. In an attempt to provide participation, LEAF, the lived experience forum, has been involved.
- before the pandemic, despite Lib Dems’ arguments, SWEP was limited to night accommodation when the temperature was predicted at zero. The rules have now been relaxed so spaces are available even at less freezing temperatures.
- Evictions have been halted but again this is a top-down initiative.
- Similarly rent holidays are a top-down decision and we are aware that at least one tenant’s request for a turnover rent has not been acceded to.
- Volunteers have been given opportunities to support their communities through the support hub systems, in spite of politicisation; leaders of different organisations have found common cause e.g. in Wolvercote ward to form the Cutteslowe Community Partnership (primary school, community centre, church, councillors, Cutteslowehort charity, North Wall arts centre etc.) where ideas and financial support have come together to provide a stimulating programme.
3. How have you worked together with local community and street support groups?
Lib Dem candidates/councillors have been involved at every level – as street champions, food larder volunteers, attending community meetings, delivering food parcels for the Gatehouse.
4. To what extent has the pandemic led you to do/think about doing things differently as a locally elected representative to work/act democratically?
The pandemic has brought to the fore the fundamental dignity and right to equality of every person, UK citizen or not. This has been recognised locally in the provision of basic necessities - accommodation and food. We will go back to holding physical surgeries as soon as possible, and in the meantime are extending our reach on social media so that we can hear from as many people as possible.
5. Following the implementation of the 2019 Oxford Citizens’ Assembly into cabinet member’s responsibilities, how has this helped / will this help you to work on climate emergency measures?
Our policy document on climate emergency and green issues has been prepared jointly by a team of councillors and candidates. The 2019 Citizens’ Assembly has been overtaken by events – the pandemic, financial uncertainty, the imminence of COP26. Our policy headlines are:
- Trees, hedges and water features to be extended and safeguarded
- Changes to Building Regulations to make buildings more sustainable
- Creating green and car-free ‘special places’ in and around the city centre
- Increasing green volunteer opportunities and providing funding where necessary
- Developing Green Energy initiatives in the city
