It has been confirmed that we are now in an El Niño phase of the ENSO cycle. The 2026 El Niño event is likely to be one of the strongest ever recorded, and its effects on UK weather could be pronounced. This has led to some media organisations describing it as a 'Godzilla' or 'Super' event as some models predict that it could exceed the current classification system.

Using past climatic patterns and meteorological observations during historic, strong El Niño phases, we are likely to expect in the early part of winter, a series of unsettled conditions bringing milder temperatures, heavier rainfall, and stronger winds. This early winter period could be marked by more frequent, higher intensity storms and persistent intervening wet spells. Heavy, intense rainfall onto land which is at field capacity will result in flashier and persistent flooding.

As the season moves towards late winter, the influence of an El Niño impact tends to evolve. The UK may shift into calmer, colder conditions, with sharper frosts and a more settled atmosphere replacing the earlier turbulence. This progression highlights the stark contrast typical of strong El Niño winters: a stormy, wet onset followed by a bitterly cold, snowy and frosty finale.

Day to day weather is hard to predict with any certainty months in advance, but we do have the climate history and powerful contemporary modelling as a guide of what may be coming our way.

Oxfordshire County Council should ensure that services such as Fire & Rescue, highways and social care provision are as prepared as they can be for possible higher fluvial and pluvial flood events and a prolonged cold snap. Can the leader tell this Council what percentage of our infrastructure is capable of withstanding current design flood levels (with allowance for climate change)? How are we actively working with district and anchor partners to mitigate the risks for the most vulnerable in the County?

Buvidal (Buprenorphine) prolonged-release or depot injections may offer benefits to some people because it removes the need for regular attendance (commonly daily) for dispensing or supervised consumption of opioid substitution medicines like methadone, or oral forms of buprenorphine e.g. Subutex or Espranor in the following forms:

• sublingual tablets (under the tongue);
• a linctus;
• lyophilisates (a quick melting, wafer-like tablet).

This subcutaneous injection may offer advantages for those who have difficulties adhering to the regime of daily supervised opioid substitution medication, such as for people who are dysregulated due to substance use, mental health disorders or indeed, those with dual diagnosis.

At the Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities we were told that Buvidal injections were available by prescription through our Community & Drug Treatment Service (CDTS). However, an enquiry that I made at Turning Point Roads to Recovery, our CDTS provider, is that Buvidal injections are no longer listed on the matrix.

Who is correct in this regard, our CDTS practitioners or our Public Health commissioners? How do we resolve this apparent dilemma?

What progress has been made in the revival of the Horton Overview and Scrutiny Committee? Will we be attempting to resurrect the extant arrangement with Warwickshire and West Northamptonshire or will Oxfordshire County Council opt for a new model? If so, what will it be? Whatever form the committee takes, when can we get started? Time is ticking and health provision of Banbury and its sub-region needs effective oversight and scrutiny.

I received a lengthy, detailed written answer, but it wasn't the answer to the specific question that I asked about co-occurring disorder.

My supplementary question was what is the pathway for people with co-occurring disorder and it remains at the core of my question today: What is the pathway for those with co-occurring disorder, how are they supported throughout that pathway, and if a pathway doesn't exist, what are we doing about it?

Roads can start to bleed binder when temperatures reach in excess of 50°C, reducing skid resistance and increasing surface failure through rutting and thermal cracking.

Road surface retexturing is a fast, cost-effective maintenance method that restores skid resistance by restoring its micro and/or macro texture. This practice is an alternative to full resurfacing; where specialised vehicles clean off excess bitumen and re-expose the aggregate.

Transitioning to polymer-modified asphalts, higher-grade bitumen or reflective asphalts (cool pavement) are designed to withstand intense summer temperatures and are technologies that could counter the solar damage to the county's highway infrastructure.

Could the portfolio holder give details of plans for retexturing roads (like the A422 Ruscote Avenue in the Banbury Grimsbury & Castle division) this autumn? Can you confirm that we are actively transitioning to polymer-modified asphalts or similar new technologies?

Wildfires have been a constant presence on Earth since land plants emerged over 400 million years ago. Some habitats even thrive on fire while certain species have adapted to its presence.

Wildfire risks vary across Oxfordshire's diverse landscapes and habitats, presenting significant safety challenges to communities and unique challenges in agricultural areas, woodlands and open places such as commons and nature reserves. The rural-urban interface also faces direct threats to human health and infrastructure. Mitigating wildfire impacts requires improved public communication to reduce ignition sources, enhanced Fire and Rescue Service responses and changes to land management practices.

Reducing wildfire vulnerability in landscapes and habitats offers environmental benefits including protecting biodiversity and carbon stores while preserving productive rural areas and safeguarding at-risk infrastructure and communities.

Central England's fire regime sees two seasonal peaks in spring and summer with spring fire seasons currently tending to be more severe. Fire seasons vary annually with central England experiencing episodic peaks in fire activity.

Climate change will see the UK experience milder, wetter winters that encourage vegetation growth and hotter, drier springs and summers that increase the likelihood of this vegetation catching fire. Climate change is also projected to heighten fire risk, most significantly during the summer months. Southeast and Central England are predicted to face the most substantial increase in hazardous fire weather conditions.

Given the community safety risks, damage to property, effects on infrastructure e.g. roads, rail and utility transmissions and the inevitable impact on biodiversity; how are our Community Safety specialists planning to adapt our services to our evolving climate particularly with respect to landscape management and advice to landowners? How are we preparing communication with residents in terms of fire risk education and hazard alerts?