Motion on GATS proposed by Green councillors and passed by Oxford City Council on 27 March 2001:

"This Council needs to be concerned about the potential effects of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on its own services and on local communities. This agreement is presently being negotiated, and may have similar impacts on restricting procurement and the provision of services as the MAI threatened. Prior to any extension of the GATS system the government should assess and consider the likely effects of so doing upon the provision of public services within the UK. The government should ensure as wide a constituency as possible is involved and the results made publicly available.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. to write to the Minister of State for Trade and the Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions with the following questions:

a) What Council services will be affected by the changes to GATS proposed by the government and the European Union, and what assessment has been carried out of this?

b) What assessment has taken place concerning the effect of these proposals on the UK planning system, subsidiarity and the UK's sustainable development objectives?

c) What proposals have the government to involve the public and public service providers in the development of its position in relation to GATS?

2. to write to the LGA to ask them to consider the effects of GATS on the provision of local services and to lobby to protect what freedoms local authorities still have in procurement, planning and other decision-making.

3. to write to our local MPs to urge them to take up the issue."