Healthier Communities

Massive increases in energy prices, food costs and rents has left many unable to make ends meet. Whilst the causes of the cost-of-living crisis are many and varied, the Council could be doing more to support those in need.

Oxford has the least affordable housing in the UK. We believe that access to affordable, secure and decent housing is a human right, not a privilege. Nobody should be left homeless or have insecure accommodation.

While transport is primarily the responsibility of the County, the City Council is a consultee and should be playing a key role in delivering planning solutions that reduce the need to travel. Public consultation needs to be improved.

There is a climate and ecological emergency. Under pressure from the Greens, the Council has committed to go ‘net zero’ by 2030 and is working with others to make the whole City ‘net zero’ by 2040. But progress is slow.

Oxford is a wonderfully diverse City with about a third of residents born outside of the UK, with almost half of adults identifying as non ‘white British’, a well-established LGBT community and active faith groups.

When it comes to health, Oxfordshire is a two-tier County. Most enjoy above average wellbeing but Oxford also includes six wards which are amongst the most deprived in England. In these areas, death from preventable causes, self-harm and obesity are above average.

All species on Planet Earth are the life support for all others. Greens have long warned of the threat posed by the loss of species – a threat parallel with climate change. We need to do more locally to protect our flora and fauna.

We hear a lot of talk about the ‘road transport hierarchy’ but time after time the needs of cyclists and pedestrians are given a low priority.

“Humans are constantly learning and the world is an experiment. Our task is to light the way” - Ernst Bloch