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Approved Council Motions 2025/26

Council meeting Thursday 17 July 2025

Proposer: Councillor Gordon-Creed Seconder: Councillor Sadler

Lead officer: Head of Policy and Programmes

This Council notes:

  • South Oxfordshire District Council has declared a climate emergency and is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions in its own operations by 2030 and in the district by 2045.
  • The district has significant potential for renewable energy development, particularly solar, which must be harnessed in a way that delivers genuine benefits for local communities.
  • Community energy organisations which are active across Oxfordshire, have demonstrated how local people can share in the benefits of renewable projects to help fund local net zero projects and reduce fuel poverty.
  • Without such a requirement, local communities’ risk being excluded from the economic and social benefits of the clean energy transition.
  • That the council has responded substantively to the current government working paper on this topic.

This Council believes:

  • That new renewable energy infrastructure has the opportunity to contribute positively to the wellbeing and prosperity of the communities hosting them, and this opportunity should be harnessed.
  • That the option for local shared ownership or benefit schemes should be offered by large-scale renewable developments to local communities.
  • That South Oxfordshire has an opportunity to lead by example in supporting fair, community-led energy.

This Council therefore resolves to:

  1. Request that the leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Minister for Climate, and local MPs to express this Council’s support for Community Energy benefit options and urge legislative action.
  2. Encourage all developers of large-scale renewable energy schemes in South Oxfordshire to engage with community energy groups and offer Community Energy benefit options to local communities.
  3. Work with Oxfordshire County Council, neighbouring authorities and Community Energy Organisations to promote community-led energy and maximise local benefit from future renewable energy projects.