A constant and steady presence Annual Review 2024 -JL OXFORD
Our aims An influential voice for Oxford Aim l.. Influence policy makers on the development Our Chairman, lan Green, sum5 UP the year of Oxford as a city region where people enjoy living, 2024 was a year of new national, local and organi- working and visiting. sational challenges but we maintained a clear focus on our aim5, our actions and responses demonstrating Aim 2.. Engage members and both versatility and vigour at all levels. others about the Oxford city region... with constructive... The Society continued to influence policy makers and proposals for its further key stakeholders to ensure that development respects improvement. the city's past, benefits the city'5 present and contrib- Aim 3.. Cckoperate with the utes to a vision of the city's future. Our technical region's residents, associa- working groups- Planning, Transport, Community tions and civic societies nationally.. to campaign for Impact and Oxfordshire Future5- worked hard on this communityied solutions to as the following pages show. shared problems, including We continued to engage our members and others in engaging with our diverse discussion about the city and the wider city region, communities. helping us to develop our proposals for further Aim 4.. Learn from other improvement. A new suk>group, City Visions, was set cities, both in the UK and up and is contributing to our evaluation of the pros abroad, where creative strate- and cons of current local government reorganisation gies might be helpful to the Oxford city region. and devolution options for the city region. A5 ever, the Programme Group organised many very popular visits, talks and discussions on a variety of topics, a5 Set out later in this review. Oxclean is by far our most rewarding contact with local communities and hundreds of people came together in March for the annual Spring Clean. Each year the amount of rubbish collected on these litter- picks reduces. Behind the scenes we continued to campaign for more bins and more responsible atti- tudes to litter. Blue plaques We conlinued to support the Oxfordshire Blue Plaques Board which placed six new plaques in 2024. Read more in the March 2025 issue of Visions. The Communications team continued to engage with members and reached out to the community via our websites and shop window on Broad Street. We continued to strengthen our cooperation with the Oxford city region's residents, associations and with civic societies in other parts of the country. The oxcivicsoc.org.uk
creative strategies of other citie5, both in the UK and abroad, are often helpful here and we continued to learn from them. All change A new national government was elected in July 2024, bringing a rah of new measures relating to planning, local government reform and devolution. The Society has seen much change over the last 55 years but continues to be a constant and steady presence with a lon*term view. National challenges included the introduction of change5 to planning policy and we responded vigor- ously to national consultations on this. At the end of the year, we also responded to the Gov- ernment's White Paper on local government reform and devolution, which could have significant impact on the governance of the city and city region. We are concerned about the lack of public engagement in these i5sue5 and are seeking ways to establish a con- structive dialogue between the governors and the gov- erned. Major decisions need to be made in 2025. We took a particular interest in the overall investment in infrastructure strategy and will continue to keep a close eye on this critical issue. Locally, the way in which transport policies have been developed and implemented (or prepared for impl mentation} has proved unnecessarily divisive. We tried The old part of County Hall, to influence this, encouraging collaboration with com- symbolic ofthe County's munities. For example, we continue to try to ensure power. Might the County shortly that monitoring and evaluation of the planned traffic swallow up all the other local councils? filters is as sensitive and perceptive as it needs to be. Organisationally, we made major changes to how we Our volunteers operate and these will be formally announced at our We have over l 00 volunteer5 AGM. You can read a brief summary on the back involved in our various work- page. This more effective governance arrangement ing groups and no paid staff. We have room for morel was much needed and is possible because we are Do join one of our groups privileged to have very capable trustees, supported by or even start a new one. equally capable active members. We cannot thank our trustees and other active volunteers enough but everyone's support matters individuals, families, local associations and corporate members. Thank you all. lan Green, Chairman oxcivicsoc.org.uk
Planning in numbers Planning applications decreased slightly fto1,109 Gillian Coates sums up the Planning Group's work in 2024 of which 85/ Throughout the year we engaged with repre5entative5 were approved. We scruti- from the Council and the University to stress the im- nised over a third of the portance of well-sited new homes. We believe that if total (c.370J and submitted the city is to function effectively then people should comments on 137 {conF pared with 90 in 2023). live in or close to it and not need to commute from the There was little movement far reaches of the county. across the caftegories of Economic growth was the byword and the sheer num- applications, Wlth the ber of research institutions, innovation centres and exception of those for listed laboratories that came before the planner5 wa5 eye- buildings consent where watering. Sadly, we lost the battle for the Odeon site applications in 2024 increased by 18Y - I I I (destined to be an aparthotel} and the Debenhams/ compared with 94 in 2023. Oxenford building {destined to become lab space and student accommodation). A measure of our success is the regular involvement with developers at the PrPplication stage and we were delighted to be consulted on the exciting pro- posals for the Warneford site and the redevelopment of the Wayneflete building. We continued to engage with Nuffield College on their plans for the island site, the central gateway to the city. Keeping in touch, making news Thelma Martin on the Communications Team Using all the mean5 available to us, we regularly up- dated members on our work and kept the Society's aims, initiatives and events in the public eye. Our four websites and X (formerly Twitter) are tools we have used for some time, as is print media. We achieved front page and editorial coverage from the Oxford Times for our views on the Schwarzman Centre. We resolved to make better use of social media to engage additional audiences and recently set up a new Instagram account. Our shop window display on Broad Street continued to attract attention from the thousands of passers-by. Going for growth Iiii The proposed new Warneford Hospital (above) and the Oxford North devel- opment {belowJ where much of the ground was laid this year. We argued For more housing on this site. oxcivicsoc.org.uk
Travel and transport matters Andrew Pritchard reports on the Transport Group Throughout the year we worked to reduce the impact of tourists on travel in Oxford, in particular of their coaches in the city centre. We were pleased to talk with Mosaic, an independent consultancy advising the City Council on tourism, who also considered the coach problem important. They aim to set up a com- mercial group to finance a five-year business plan for tourism, concentrating on place management. We supported the introduction of a Rapid Transit sys- tem in the county's LTP4 report, so we set up a meeting with Coventry City's director about their novel pr(> posals for a Very Light Rail system, which promises cheaper and faster introduction of trams. We looked at how such a system might be introduced in Oxford. Along with everyone else, we have found the delays to the Botley Road railway bridge and station works incredible. The road closure is now predicted by some to last until August 2026. We are promoting a review to identify lessons learned and the scope for compen- sation of the many who have been affected. We have consistently urged that East West Rail 15 elec- trifled from the start and ha5 full provision for freight services. The Government now appear5 to agree, though partial electrification has been suggested, using battery power along some stretches, discouraging the use of electric traction for freight. Through our membership of Oxfordshire for Buses, we urged that upto-the-minute information about bu5 departures be available at Oxford station, as at the Seacourt Park & Ride, and understand that this is likely to be installed in 2025. What Coventry's light rail vehicle might look like. The service is due to start in 2025. Botley Road bridge works Slowly does it! One of our mosl successful campaigns was to persuade Ihe County Council lo intro- duce 20 mph speed limits on suburban roads. Oxford thus became the second UK cily to do so, in 2009. Other author- ities were clearly taking note os more and more places have adopled the policy. What we had not foreseen was that car insurance premi- ums would go down as a result of the reduction in claims for collision damagel We continue to campaign for better traffic management. oxcivicsoc.org.uk
Parent Power As members of the OIEP Educational Attainment working group, we're supporting Parent Power, a project in Blackbird Leys. This aims to improve parent wellbeing and support nelworks, so that parents and their children can thrive together. Tackling inequality Gillian Coates on the Community Impact Group We continued our work with the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership with members of the Society serving on the Steering Group and the subject work- ing groups. The aims of the Partnership are both wide and ambitious, addressing the knotty issues that im- pact on inclusivity educational attainment, inclusive employment, social value and procurement, and plac&shaping. Much work has been undertaken, primarily focusing on engaging organisations across Oxfordshire to sign up to a new Charter to make the county'5 economy fairer for everyone. We see this initiative as an oppor- tunity for the Society to engage with residents, associ- ations and community group5, reaching those parts of the city where we have no representation and few member5. See www.oie .or Talks for all and members, tours lan Salusbury reports on the Programme Group This year our programme of events included nine talks on a wide range of subjects which attracted over 470 attendees. These are free of charge and open to the public. We hosted a talk at Florence Park Community Centre for the first time to broaden our audience reach. The most popular talks were by Simon Bradley on the Pevsner Guide to Oxfordand Simon Wenham on James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary. We also arranged nine visits and guided tours for members only. Several events, such as the tour of the Life and Mind Building, proved so popular that they were fully booked within an hour of being announced. We successfully set up a second vislt to Rhodes House to meet the demand for places. In total, 193 members attended our events in 2024. ery many thanks for organ- ising another brilliant visit. I learned a lotl A comment from a member taking part in a guided tour of new build- ings at Oxford Brookes. oxcivicsoc.org.uk
In context- the city region lan Green on the Oxfordshire Futures Group Our underlying commitment has been to encourage an Oxford5hire-wide consensus on the distribution of employment and housing growth along with associat- ed transport and other infrastructure provision. We still lament the cancellation of the Oxfordshire 2050 Plan but are encouraged by the new national Govern- ment's re-introduction of mandatory strategic planning and the beginning of a new stage of the Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy. Early in 2025 progress Wlth strategic spatial planning should be possible. We also investigated options for local government reorganisation and devolution, pending national initia- tive5 in 2025. The main aim here needs to be high- quality growth that is inclusive, responsive to climate change and with optimal economic benefits. The group will be drawing together a report on how smart growth and development can help tackle the obstacles we face and meet national targets. oAroRD VISIONS oehrng the londatn5 rghi In a special themed issue of our newsletter, Visions, we focused on several aspects of strategic infrastructure planning. In our view, the whole city region needs to work jointly to over- come some serious challenges, from a shortage of water to climat&proofing new and existing buildings. Engaging the community Rosanne Bostock sums up for Oxclean In partnership with Oxford Direct Services we organ- ised our 17th Oxclean Spring Clean in March, when about 60 groups collected over five tons of litter and recyclables. We hope the new website we developed will encourage people to undertake any-time litter picks, for which we can Supply equipment. We Supported the clean-up of St Mary Magdalen graveyard in the centre of Oxford which had become very overgrown and a magnet for litter. Oxclean acts as a55essor for the Duke OF Edinburgh Award volunteering section. We supported around a dozen pupils clearing litter from car parks in the John Radcliffe, Nuffield and Churchill Hospitals. Litter picking brings the community together as here, on Horspath Road. With thanks lo our members and ofthers for the use of their photos.. Beauliful Barton, Clive Booth, Coven- ty Telegraph, Roger Gr05venor, Stephanie Jenkins, Oliver Sandall, Oxford Cenftre for Oneness, OIEP, lan Salusbury oxcivicsoc.org.uk
Figures at a glance Income- £26,082 (£16,797 in 2023) Subscriptions/donations £11,120 - Visits/guided tours £ 1,449 - Gift Aid £1,552 - Legacy £8,941 - Investment income £3,020 Money matters in 2024 Richard Dodd. Hon Treasurer, summarises our finances Income from membership subscriptions was similar to 2023, while interest on reserves held in our CCLA account was significantly higher. Gift Aid brought in over £1,500. We received a legacy of just under £9,000 during 2024. Planned expenditure OF the remaining £17,500 of the legacy received in 2020, earmarked for provision OF benches, is now imminent. The funds are considered to be restricted. Expenditure - £13,699 (£11,542 in 2023} - Newsletter £3,628 - Visits/tours £953 -Talks £2,783 - Room hire £1,264 IT/website £1,993 - Oxclean £812 Blue Plaques £516 Donations and subscriptions An extensive programme of visits and talks ran throughout 2024. Expenditure on the frefrofiharge talks was similar to 2023, resulting in a net cost of £2,287. Other items of ex- penditure, including our support for Blue Plaques, Oxclean and our administrative costs, were broadly in line with 2023, resulting in a year end surplus of £12,383. The full accounts are available on the website, or on request from treasurer@oxcivicsoc.or £530 - Computer purchase £620 - Other £600 Surplus £12,383 (£4,097 in 2023) Streamlining our governance lan Green, Chair, explains recent changes An analysis of what we do and how has led us to group the Society into three main sectors: Operations, Engagement and Communications, and Technical Working Groups. Each group now has a trustee to coordinate activities within and between the groups. The Executive Committee will meet less frequently with more decisiorFmaking delegated to the sectors and individual groups. We hope this will spread the work more equitably and improve our effectiveness. General Fund Assets £59,915 (£47,532 in 2023) Restricted Fund Assets £17,500 (£17,500 in 2023) Reserves policy We hold sufficient to cover our liabilities and to enable us to take professional advice as needs arise. OCS is a society for people who care about Oxford, want to enjoy it more fully and help shape its future. New members are always welcome. President.. Sir Tim Sievenson Chairman.. lan Green Vice Chair.. Gillian Coates Hon Secrelary.. Vernon Porter Hon Treasurer.. Richard Dodd Oxford Civic Society, 67 Cunliffe Close, Oxford OX2 7BJ inf oxcivicsoc.org.uk l oxclean.org.uk oxfordfutures.org.uk l oxfordwalks.org.uk Registered charity no. l 116739 Printed by Porchmenls Print ol OxFord. H445 Kin9slon Bv%n8$5 Pa. Kin9Ston Bogpviz&. OXI 3 5FB l Td.. 01865 747 5471 Emoil-. PrinParchMenbJk.ctrM
OXFORD CIVIC SOCIETY ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 These Accounts were apwoved by the Trustees on Chairman of Trustees Hon Treasu
THE TrUSTEES OF OXFORD CIVIC SOCIETY INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES Report on the accounts of the trust for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on the succeeding pages. Respective r•sponsibilities of the Trustws and examin•r As the trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. you cOnseT that the audit requirement of sects.on 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Direcb'ons given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the independent examiners report My examination vtas carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. The examinatK)n includes a review of the accounting records kept by the trustees and comparison of the Accounts with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or dtsclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence which would be required in an audit and. consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Ind•pondent examiner4 ststement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me Teasonable cause to believe that in any mateT?al respect the requirements - to keep proper accounts'ng records in accordance with section 130 of the Ac(. and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to compty wrth the requirements of the Act have not been me( or to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Brian Causby CPFA 6 January 2025
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