Funding Cuts
A key focus over the next years will be on managing the reduction in income from National Government. As reported last time, the Government announced a three-year “settlement”, which includes cuts to grants to the County Council of over £24m. That will require cuts, which we will try to make as painless as possible to vulnerable residents.
It may, however, be difficult to maintain services that are not statutory. Over 70% of revenue spend is on Adult Social Care and Children’s services, looking after people who need support. We will need to prioritise those statutory, often life critical, services above others.
The process of finding the reductions in spend that we will need is now well under way, for a budget that will be approved in February next year. It also requires us to put up Council Tax by 4.99% per annum, as instructed by the Government.
Road maintenance
As the weather improves, the number of holes filled is now significantly greater than that being reported. I make no apology for repeating the numbers. It would cost around £60m to keep the roads in a steady state, and even steady state means potholes each year. The Government has given £39m to the County Council, which is clearly inadequate. We topped this up by £30m, borrowed and needing to be repaid.
Given the huge task, it is impossible to do what we should be doing, which is to deliver a long term fix on each road, to prevent future potholes forming. However, we have commenced a £8m “proper” resurfacing programme, which will sort those roads it covers.
There is also a £4m gulley rebuilding programme. The annual gulley clearance, revived after being reduced to once every four years under the previous administration, showed that a lot of gulleys need substantial reconstruction after the decades of neglect.
Gulley maintenance is vital as we cope with increased levels and intensity of rainfall caused by climate change. There is a full clearance in Eynsham planned – could I ask residents to ensure that they don’t park over drain covers on the days when the team is due to come.
New Road infrastructure
The ban on right hand turns onto the A40 at Barnard Gate came into effect on 1 May. This is in response to the numerous collisions there. Once Shores Green is open –
which is imminent – people coming from places like Hanborough will best be able to get on to the A40 via the new junction.
There are proposed changes to speed limits on the A40 past Witney, due to be considered by the Cabinet Member, this Thursday. These speed reductions will make the road safer and quieter. It takes only 25 seconds longer to do 3 miles at 60 rather than 70.
Work will begin soon on the A40 bus lanes from the P&R to Wolvercote. This will be done in stages, starting with creating the junction from the P&R. The construction team is committed to keeping the disruption to a minimum, and have regular meetings with each of the parish councils along the route.
Road Safety
The Government has published the road safety statistics for England. They show that Oxfordshire has had a 18% decrease in serious casualties, while the rest of the Thames Valley Police (TVP) area has had a 20% increase. The difference is the road policy followed by Oxfordshire, introducing 20mph zones where requested by parish councils, among other things including our Vision Zero for road deaths.
I think it is fair to say the numbers would be better still if TVP enforced the law more eagerly. Can I urge residents to do their bit? That includes not parking dangerously at the Primary School. Nearly everyone is obeying the new signs and road markings, which is great.