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To Members of the Executive

Notice of a Meeting of the Executive

Tuesday 23 July 2002 at 2.00 pm

County Hall, Oxford

Chris Impey
Assistant Chief Executive

Contact officer: Graham Warrington (Tel: 01865 815321; E-mail)

Membership

The Agenda follows. Decisions taken at the meeting will become effective at the end of the working day on 31 July 2002 unless called in by that date for review by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.

Copies of this Notice, Agenda and supporting papers are circulated to all Members of the County Council.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence
   
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   
   
3. Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 9 July 2002 (EX3) and 16 July 2002 (EX3a) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

4. Petitions and Public Address
   
   
5. Budget Monitoring

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/54
Contact Officer: Mike Petty, Principal Financial Manager (01865 815622)

Report by Director for Business Support & County Treasurer (EX5)

The report details the budget monitoring position of the County Council for 2002/03 as at 30 June 2002.

No recommendations appear under this item as the report was not available for circulation with the Agenda.

6. Capital Strategy

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/91
Contact Officer: Mike Petty, Principal Financial Manager (01865 815622)

Report by Director for Business Support & County Treasurer (EX6)

The Capital Strategy is the strategic document setting out the County Council’s approach to capital planning, procurement and management of the capital programme.

No recommendations appear under this item as the report was not available for circulation with the Agenda.

7. Oxfordshire Plan 2003/04 - 2007/08

• Helping People to Fulfil their Potential
• Protecting Our Environment
• Safeguarding Our Communities
• Sustaining Our Prosperity
• Raising Our Performance

1. each Scrutiny Committee should identify priorities for action which will most effectively help to achieve the strategic objectives; and that these should have regard to:

• public/community views, in the light of an initial briefing to be received by each Scrutiny Committee to be followed with a seminar in August when details of the latest MORI research on customer views will be reported;
• service demands, in the light of a briefing to be given by the appropriate Director(s) to each Committee;
• the need to make better use of existing resources in order to generate headroom to fund new priorities on the basis that detailed budget information will be available in October;

1. Scrutiny Committees be asked to report their proposals to the Executive during September.

8. Performance Management – Quarterly Monitoring Report

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/96
Contact Officer: David Lines, Head of Performance & Review (01865 810150)

Report by Director for Strategy (EX8) – To follow

Quarterly reviews of performance against BVPP priority targets, Key BVPI targets, PSA targets and budgets is an important element in the Performance Management Framework agreed by the Executive on 22 January 2002. This report provides an overview of the results of monitoring for the last quarter of all BVPIs for 2001 – 2002.

Weaknesses highlighted by the monitoring process will be followed up with the Directorates, in consultation with the Executive Members concerned. Particular areas of concern, and action taken or proposed in relation to them, are highlighted in the report.

No recommendations appear under this item as the report was not available for circulation with the Agenda.

9. Land Tax

Executive Member: Leader of the Council

The Council on 18 June agreed the following motion by Councillor Hodgson:

"This Council invites the Executive to set up a Working Party to investigate the possibility of following Liverpool City Council’s example, by lobbying the government to allow it to raise a Land Tax."

The Executive is asked to consider the invitation and decide on the action to be taken.

10. Social Services Budget Proposal – Reductions in Home Support Consultation on Withdrawal of Night Care Services

1. request the Director of Social Services to:

1. work with individual service users to ensure that appropriate alternative services are available;

1. agree that the planned savings for night care services will not be achieved in the financial year 2002/03 and the resulting overspend will be identified within the regular budget montitoring reports and funded either by alternative savings or considered as part of the overall budget shortfall for Social Services.

11. The Annual Review of Social Services Performance

Executive Member: Community Care & Health and Children & Young People
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/61
Contact Officer: Nick Welch (01865 815714)

Report by the Interim Director of Social Services (EX11).

The report examines the results of the Annual Review conducted by the SSI on the department’s performance for 2001/02 and the "Star Rating" that the department received. It also gives information on the performance monitoring framework that the Department of Health is continuing to develop. The department is required to present to the Council the findings and the conclusions of the Annual Review, as well as the data that is being submitted as part of the performance monitoring framework.

The full text of the letter setting out the findings and conclusions of the Annual Review meeting is given at Annex 1. Annex 2 sets out an outline for the action plans for the "Areas for Development" items that are contained in the main body of the Annual Review of Performance Monitoring letter.

The Social and Health Care Scrutiny Committee on 10 July 2002 welcomed the SSI Annual Review and Performance Monitoring Report and endorsed its robust and positive programme of continuous improvement.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. endorse the comments of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee;
2. agree the action plans set out in Annex 2 to the report EX11;
3. request officers to report back in six months time on progress against the Areas for Development set out in the action plans.

12. Annual Library Plan

1. subject to (b) below, to approve in principle the three year Strategy and Action Plans for the Library Service as presented in the attached draft of the Annual Library Plan 2002, for submission in due course to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport;
2. subject to amendment as mentioned in the report, to approve the draft as the Executive’s "initial proposals" for forwarding to the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee inviting comments for consideration by the Executive on 17 September prior to submission to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Council.

13. Cornmarket Street, Oxford

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref:
Contact Officer: Eddie Luck, Assistant Director (01865 815845)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX13) – To follow

This report discusses the construction failure of the environmental enhancement scheme in Cornmarket Street, considers possible options for improvement and their impact on the out-turn costs, and the programme for the implementation of the scheme.

Having reviewed the options recommended by consultants and taking into account the high out-turn and maintenance costs, uncertainties and risks associated with necessary trials and tests of the three granite options, and the impact of the construction time on the overall scheme delivery programme, I cannot recommend any of those options for implementation. It is my view that the only viable option that would bring the best outcome for the County and City Councils is the implementation of a fourth option - asphalt with coated granite and York stone slabs for the footway areas.

This view has also been expressed by the Environment Scrutiny Committee.

No recommendations appear under this item as the report was not available for circulation with the Agenda.

14. Pilot Home Zones Programme

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. select the following areas for further investigation into their suitability for Home Zones:

1. Hughes Close/Sturt Close – Charlbury;
2. Stapleton Road – Headington;
3. West/ East/ North/ South and Centre Streets – Banbury; and
4. Silver Street/ Golden Street/ Barnet Street/ Catherine Street/ Hertford Street/Essex Street and Percy Street – East Oxford;

2. agree the outline programme for the Home Zones projects, assuming that there is a positive response from local residents in the initial consultation; and
3. agree the arrangements for taking forward the development of Home Zones as indicated in the report.

15. Countryways Rural Traffic Management Pilot Zone

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. approve the implementation of the engineering measures as identified in Annex 1;
2. approve the designation of the Quiet Lane network as shown on the plan in Annex 2;
3. authorise the Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and for Strategic Planning & Waste Management, to determine what further actions should be taken with regard to Quiet Lanes signing; and
4. note the progress on the development of the second CountryWays Pilot in Uffington.

16. Bridge Strengthening - Milton (Potash Lane) Railway Bridge

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:-

1. agree in principle that, for the reasons set out in the report, a permanent strengthening scheme is required and an off-line solution is to be preferred;
2. seek agreements with Railtrack and MEPC for implementation on a shared cost basis of an off-line solution subject to formal approval of the allocation of funding when costs and contributions are better defined.

17. St Giles’ and Beaumont Street, Oxford – Coach Stopping Points

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref:-
Contact Officer: Peter Mann (01865 815479)/John Cramer (01865 815963)

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. agree to continuing the arrangements for coach stopping in St Giles’ and Beaumont Street, pending the development of a long term strategy for managing visitor coaches in the City centre, by means of a traffic order to the same effect as the present experimental order, on the basis that this will need to be reviewed in the light of the outcome of (c) below;
2. agree the changes to road markings and the provision of the islands separating the coach stopping points from cycle lanes as shown on Plan no. MP/1/006; and
3. request the Director of Environmental Services to continue consultation with the City Council and interested bodies on the development of a long term strategy for managing visitor coaches in the City centre and report back to the Executive as soon as possible with new recommendations and a timetable for implementation.

18. Traffic Management Proposals Associated with the Relocation of SS Phillip and James C of E First School, Oxford.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. agree to formal consultation being undertaken on the revised proposals shown on plan nos BPN823/F3262 and BPN823/B3200 and to authorise the Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Members for the Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management and Local Member(s), to implement the measures subject to the consideration of any representations or objections resulting from the consultation;
2. authorise officers to order the rising bollard equipment in advance of the formal consultation;
3. agree to the provision of an additional School Crossing Patrol.

19. Pedestrian Improvements - Southam Road, Banbury

1. making any detailed amendments appearing necessary as a result of safety audit of the proposals; and
2. identifying funds to cover the cost of the respective schemes within the 2002/03 Transport Capital Programme.

20. A361 Burford Road (Albion Street), Chipping Norton - Pedestrian Crossings

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/53
Contact Officer: (Andy Warren 01865 815835)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX20)

The report considers proposals for pedestrian facilities on the A361 Burford Road and Albion Street, Chipping Norton. The scheme has been amended following initial consultation and further consultation has now been carried out. The report details the comments received and seeks approval to proceed to implementation.

Respondents’ main concerns were the close proximity of the crossings to the mini roundabout and potential queuing through the junction and the environmental effects on the area due to traffic noise and light intrusion from the beacons.

Design of the Zebra crossings will be in accordance with current design standards and regulations. Alterations to the corner radii to reduce speeds through the junction will be included in the final design. Hoods on the beacons will be used to reduce stray light.

I consider that the scheme should provide real benefits for pedestrians and will not significantly change the environmental conditions that currently exist.

The Executive are RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of the scheme as set out in Annex 1 to the report EX20.

21. Henley Market Place Improvements

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise:

1. construction of the road humps elements of the Market Place Improvement Scheme; and
2. the making and implementation of the Traffic Regulation and Speed Limit Orders;

22. Station Road, Shiplake - Proposed Traffic Calming

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/53
Contact Officer: (Arshad Khan 01235 531331)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX22).

To meet the concerns of local residents at the speed of traffic using Station Road, Shiplake new traffic calming features are proposed to reduce traffic speeds and improve road safety.

The report considers the response to the full consultation exercise undertaken on the proposals, the majority which were in favour.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise the implementation of the traffic calming scheme as described in the report.

23. Elm Tree Walk, Shippon - Traffic Calming

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/53
Contact Officer: (Brian Short 01235 531331)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX23).

The report details proposals put forward by the Saint Helen Without Parish Council to introduce a traffic calming scheme at Elm Tree Walk, Shippon at no cost to the County Council.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise arrangements for the exercise by St Helen Without Parish Council of the Council’s powers as local highway authority and local traffic authority so far as necessary to construct the physical traffic calming works specified in the report, at no cost to the County Council, subject to approval of the detailed design by the Director of Environmental Services.

24. 40mph Speed Limit, B4012 Howland Road, Thame

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 2002/53
Contact Officer: (Richard Ponchaud 01865 815837)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX24).

The report details the responses to formal consultations carried out on the proposal to reduce the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph on a section of B4012 Howland Road, Thame. The speed limit is being reduced to enable a Toucan Crossing to be installed by Sustrans, who are constructing the Pheonix Trail cycle route between Princes Risborough and Thame.

There were no objections to the speed limit received during the consultation. However Thames Valley Police are concerned that unless features are introduced to reduce the 85%ile speed along the road as well as lowering the limit, then actual speeds might not be reduced.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to approve the making of the Order reducing the speed limit along the Howland Road from 50mph to 40mph, together with the introduction of physical speed reducing features as detailed in the report.

25. Appointments

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: -
Contact Officer: John Leverton, Head of Committee Services (01865 815314)

The Assistant Chief Executive reports as follows:

The Liberal Democrat Group have notified me that Councillor Zoe Patrick proposes to stand down from the South East Employers organisation (a "Strategic Outside Body" to which appointments are made by the Executive) and that they wish to nominate Councillor Margaret Godden to take his place.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to appoint Councillor Margaret Godden to take the place of Councillor Zoe Patrick on the South East Employers organisation for the remainder of the 2002/03 Council Year;

26. Forward Plan and Future Business

• all substantive stages of the Structure Plan process (in addition to the mandatory minimum required under the Constitution.)
• Transport Capital Programme (2002/93)
• Review of Traveller Services (2002/112)
• Carterton, Witney and Oxford – Public Transport Links (2002/133).

1. authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the additions and amendments to be made for the purpose of the September – December 2002 update of the Forward Plan;
2. agree that Scrutiny Committees should be automatically entitled to an opportunity to comment on items they may identify from the Forward Plan, subject to this not giving rise to delay where the matter is time-critical, and to the relevant Executive Members agreeing the detailed arrangements in each case through their periodic briefing meetings.

Exempt Items

The meeting will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of the following exempt items (marked E) by passing a resolution in relation to each such item in the following terms:

"that the public be excluded during the consideration of the following items in the Agenda since it is likely that if they were present during those items there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below each item in the Agenda".

NOTES: The report at Agenda Item 27E does not itself contain exempt information and is thus available to the public. The exempt information will be contained in a confidential annex to be circulated separately.

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE EXEMPT ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS STRICTLY PRIVATE TO MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THEM.

27.E Bus Subsidies – Former Chiltern Queens Services

29.E Park & Ride Management & Operation