Manifesto

The County Elections will be held on 1st May, there is a clear choice facing voters.

 

Why we must vote Independent in Oxford

Over the past few years, Labour has increased pollution and congestion in the city with the delivery of their LTN scheme. Labour will create more division and hardship for residents with the introduction of bus gates, and a parking levy (£650) that will tax keyworkers like Doctors, Nurses, and teachers for parking at their place of employment. The proposed expansion of the ZEZ (Zero Emission Zone) will see further businesses shut up shop. These schemes are not Green and are not Fair.

The Oxford Local Plan fails to introduce any new employment sites, yet Labour wants to introduce thousands of new homes for jobs that don’t exist.

Connectivity is key to economic growth. Oxford can grow only if it is properly connected.

The Alliance of Labour, the LibDems and Greens has devastated Oxford, it really is time to reverse some of these poor decisions, vote Independent.

 

🚗 Vote Independent for our Transport & Connectivity:

Good connectivity will ensure growth, and much needed housing in Oxford. Poor connectivity will threaten jobs, businesses and damage our environment.

 

I will work to:

  • Improve connectivity by opposing the Labour endorsed LTN scheme, and campaign to remove the ANPR cameras
  • Campaign for new employment sites within the city to justify new housing programs ‘No Jobs, No Housing’.
  • Encourage cycling and walking infrastructure to encourage cycling and active lifestyles.
  • Oppose the Labour & LibDem bus gates, that will split and divide our city.
  • Oppose the Work Place Parking levy (WPL) that will charge keyworkers such as Doctors, nurses, teachers working on large employment
  • Support sensible school street schemes
  • Oppose the ZEZ expansion, Oxford’s air has improved under the current scheme

 

🌎 Vote Independent for our Environment

We all need to do out bit for the environment and for our own future. A sensible deliverable approach where we all feel valued, will allow us all to participate. The Labour run council has done nothing to remove the raw sewage in our waterways, that has to change.

 

I will work to:

  • Work with and encourage neigbouring authorities on a  comprehensive programme of developing “green corridors of bio-diversity” within the city and beyond
  • Include a “cycling and walking score” for all new developments which also considers mobility for older residents.
  • Continue to oppose the Oxpens Bridge, and protect the Grandpoint Nature Park.
  • Introduce an award scheme for projects that improve the natural environment, and hold to account companies that pollute our waterways.

 

💹 Vote Independent for our Economy 

We need to protect our livelihoods. In Oxford the Education, IT and professional sectors are growing, but manufacturing and retail are in decline. New housing developments must be mirrored with new employment opportunities.

 

I will work to:

  • Promote business clusters and start-up networks to create new jobs
  • Encourage new employment sites in the 2024 Oxford Local Plan
  • Abandon the Oxford Living Wage, as this serves as a cap with no opportunity for progression within the scheme
  • Work with local businesses and encourage a ‘business champion’ on both the city and county council

 

👩‍⚕️ Vote Independent for our Health, Wellbeing and Education

Our healthcare system is under great pressure, localising some forms of healthcare will help reduce that pressure. Large new developments must factor this into the planning stage.

 

For our Health, Wellbeing & Education, I will work to: 

  • Campaign for localised healthcare.
  • Work with local business groups and organisers to reintroduce the Cowley Road carnival
  • Demand a proper living wage for apprentices, both in the public and private sector
  • Rated inadequate by OFSTED, I will work with the County Council to improve SEND provision including assessment turnarounds

 

🏡 Vote Independent for our Housing

Oxford does have a housing need, Labour has adopted its own formula to calculate housing need at 1322, whereas neigbouring district councils and central government calculate it to be 762 units. I will support a standardised approach to calculating housing need.

 

I will work to: 

  • Support for sensible developments that bring added value to existing communities including Healthcare.
  • Encourage developments that can access good connectivity.
  • Encourage low carbon solutions in building and living practices.
  • Protect green spaces, and prioritise new builds on brownfield sites.
  • Campaign against developments that do not have good connectivity.