Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2011 (CA3 circulated separately) and to receive for information any matters arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2011 were approved and signed.

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

6.         Mr Andrew Churchill-Stone, Chair of

Governors of Culham Parochial

School,

7.         Councillor Janet Godden, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families

Sarah Good

Michael Ray

8.         Councillor Jenny Hannaby - as local member

10.       Councillor Anne Purse, Shadow Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure

Councillor Charles Mathew - local member

11.       Rachel Dobson, Fire Brigade Union's Branch Representative for the Control staff.

13.       Councillor Jean Fooks, Opposition Deputy Leader

14.       Councillor Jean Fooks for Opposition Leader

16.       Councillor Jean Fooks for Opposition Leader

Councillor Anne Purse speaking in relation to Oxfordshire Minerals And Waste Development Framework: Core Strategy - Preferred Strategy For Consultation welcomed the paper bringing together waste and minerals and acknowledged the large amount of work that had gone on. However she considered that the report raised more questions than it answered. In particular she highlighted the seeming conflict between addressing sustainability and climate change issues and the intention in paragraph 22 to allow waste imports from outside the County by road. The reference to Finmere on page 102 was to a site on the border of the County rather than being central. She sought clarity in respect of the MbE in Sutton Courtenay  and whether this was interchangeable with the energy from waste policy. It was a matter that should have been looked at by the Scrutiny Committee. Finally she queried whether consideration could be given to using inert waste for aggregate.

Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/014

Contact: Roy Leach, Strategic Lead – School Organisation & Planning Tel: (01865) 816458

Report by Director for Children, Education & Families (CA6).

The closure of Culham Parochial Primary School was proposed in November 2010 and was the subject of an extensive public consultation. The responses to the consultation were reported to Cabinet in February 2011 where a decision about whether or not to publish a statutory closure notice was deferred until March 2011 Cabinet to give the school’s governors more time to address, through a recovery plan, a number of key issues. Although progress had been made by the time Cabinet met in March, a robust recovery plan was not fully in place and a decision was taken to publish the statutory notice whilst ‘leaving the door open’ to governors. This report relays the representations made to the statutory notice; assesses progress made towards addressing the key issues; and considers the implications of closing the school with effect from the end of August 2011.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              Consider the governors’ recovery plan and evaluate it against the three conditions detailed in paragraphs 2 (a) – (c) and decide whether it provides sufficient assurance to continue to maintain Culham Parochial School, and is therefore grounds to reject the closure proposal.

Should Cabinet be of the opinion that the ‘recovery plan’ is inadequate in one or more respects then, 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(b)                  consider the representations made in response to the statutory closure notice with particular reference to the issues detailed in paragraphs 17 - 26 and the Statutory Guidance; and

(c)                   approve the closure of Culham Parochial School with effect from midnight, 31 August 2011.

Mr Churchill-Stone thanked officers for the balanced report produced and updated on the current position on the three conditions.

Responding to questions from Cabinet Members MR Churchill-Stone stated that he had no reason to doubt the commitment of the acting Headteacher to gain the relevant qualification once appointed. He had been ineligible to apply to\the earlier advert for the job as he did not possess the qualification required.

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement referred to the presumption against the closure of rural schools. Culham was a strong community and she felt that sufficient progress had been made to keep the school open. There were risks around the headteacher, school numbers and the budget and it was right to recognise those risks but did not support the closure of the school. She suggested that a councillor be included on the Governing Body.

During discussion Cabinet members supported the for Schools Improvement referred to the presumption against the closure of rural schools. Culham was a strong community and she felt that sufficient progress had been made to keep the school open. There were risks around the headteacher, school numbers and the budget and it was right to recognise those risks but did not support the closure of the school. She suggested that a councillor be included on the Governing Body.

During discussion Cabinet Members supported the proposal from the Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, feeling that the strong community effort deserved reward. However concerns did remain particularly over the appointment of an unqualified headteacher who had not applied for\the job initially.  The situation would require careful monitoring by the Council. It was important that the Governors and community did not relax as if a similar position was reached again where the viability of the school was at issue there would be an end to the options available.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)                               agree not to seek the closure of Culham Parochial School;

                     and

(b)                       that efforts be made to ensure that a councillor is a member of the school’s Governing Body.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/109

Contact: Paul Smith, External Relations Manager, Tel: (01865) 810256

Report by Head of Strategy & Communications (CA   ).

Councillor Jean Fooks, Opposition Deputy Leader expressed her astonishment and anger at the thfreat to both local TV and radio. She noted that the report did not refer to radio but many people relied on it for local news, weather(particularly during severe conditions) and school closures. The closure of services was not in the spirit of localism and she supported the need to comment on the proposals and to get across the view that they were not a good idea.

The Leader commented that the recommendation to Council in June was appropriate to give all members an opportunity to debate this important issue.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services was concerned at the impact on local people as the service had long provided a balance view and a valuable local voice. The rise of community TV did not provide the same service.

Cabinet Members supported the recommendation to Council but in noting that some areas of the County did not receive Oxford TV considered that the debate should be widened to include  the threat to local radio. The Deputy Leader recognised the severe financial pressures on the BBC and hoped that in looking at the consultation the Council could come up with alternative options.

Subject  to the referral of the matter to Council including BBC local radio services in addition to BBC Oxford TV it was:

RESOLVED:                        to RECOMMEND to Council to:

(a)       record that it believes that a cessation of service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication.

(b)       ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition.

(c)        ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals

Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/102

Contact: Annie Callanan, Performance, Improvement & Decvelopment Manager Tel: (01865) 815697/Sian Rodway, Strategic Lead, Performance Tel: (01865) 815142

Report by Director for Children, Education & Families (CA7 ).

This report summarises the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children’s Services in Oxfordshire. The inspection was conducted in February / March 2011, the final report was published on 6 May 2011.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)       receive this report and acknowledge the findings of the inspection report (Annex 1).

(b)       note the recommendations in the inspection report, and

(c)       approve the proposed actions and timescales to address the recommendations in the report.

Cabinet considered a report that summarised the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children’s Services in Oxfordshire.

Councillor Janet Godden, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families paid personal tribute to Councillor Louise Chapman for her personal commitment to the positive engagement of children, the results of which were recognised by the inspection. Councillor Godden highlighted a two areas where it was important to ensure continued effort: the position with regard to the engagement of adult mental health care professionals in case conferences had been improved by work on both sides and she would be sad if this co-operation was drifting apart; the work on educational attainment of children in care was vitally important and the need to encourage all involved to ensure children were entered for exams should continue to be a focus of attention.

Sarah Good a young person who had taken part in the Safeguarding Inspection commented on how important it was to young people to be able to participate and help in the shaping of services they used.

Michael Ray, paid tribute to the support he had received from officers over a number of years that had helped him.

Meera Spillett, the Director for Children Education & Families in introducing the report paid tribute to the Participation Team and their user engagement that was recognised as excellent. Meera Spillett highlighted the positives in the report and paid tribute to the continuing hard work of staff and all the Council’s partners.

The Cabinet Member for Children Education & Families responding to the point made by Councillor Godden agreed that it was right to continue to ensure the engagement of adult mental health workers and suggested that this was an area where scrutiny might wish to monitor the situation. In welcoming the inspection report she highlighted that the  positive result reflected the hard work that was going on and that the work of the people involved changed lives. She paid tribute to the work of Meera Spillett and thanked the frontline social care staff.

RESOLVED:             to

(a)       receive this report and acknowledge the findings of the inspection report (Annex 1).

(b)       note the recommendations in the inspection report, and

(c)        approve the proposed actions and timescales to address the recommendations in the report.

Cabinet Member: Police & Policy Co-ordination/Safer & Stronger Communities

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/064

Contact: Claire Phillips, Partnership Officer Tel: (01865) 323967/Alexandra Bailey, Corporate Performance & Review Manager Tel: (01865) 816384

Report by Head of Strategy & Communications (CA8).

The council’s proposed changes to services for children, young people and families include the creation of a new Integrated Early Intervention Service. The Early Intervention Service model, mean significant changes to the way that youth services are provided in Oxfordshire. In future youth work will no longer be provided in a number of locations.

Young People's Centres that are no longer required for service provision are being made available for transfer to the community as part of the council's Big Society Offer. A number of these centres are on school sites. Where there is a recognised educational need for the building on a school site bids these will be given priority to transfer to the school.

This report sets out the position with regard to young people's centres on school sites and where there are requests to transfer them to the school.  

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to :

a.                  agree transfer of buildings to the school on the following sites:

·                                Sweatbox young people’s centre at King Alfred’s School east site and to include this building within the transfer of ownership to the school that is already underway;

·                                Eynsham young people’s centre at Bartholomew School;

·                                Existing young people’s centre space at Chipping Norton School on completion of the project;

b.                 request a sustainable business case to come forward for the future management and use of the Wheatley Young People’s Centre led by the Children’s Centre;

c.                  encourage proposals to come forward for the remaining young people’s centres on school sites for Cabinet consider as part of the Big Society Fund.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the position with regard to young people's centres on school sites and where there were requests to transfer them to a number of schools. 

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, speaking as a local member referred to local efforts to ensure the future of ‘Sweatbox’ and supported the transfer. She commented that the school had been supportive. She expressed her gratitude for the support of officers in putting a bid together and hoped that this would come forward in July.

The Cabinet Member for Police & Policy Co-ordination in welcoming the report referred to the positive cross Directorate working and the involvement throughout of local Councillors.

RESOLVED:             to :

(a)       agree transfer of buildings to the school on the following sites:

·                                Sweatbox young people’s centre at King Alfred’s School east site and to include this building within the transfer of ownership to the school that is already underway;

·                                Eynsham young people’s centre at Bartholomew School;

·                                Existing young people’s centre space at Chipping Norton School on completion of the project;

(b)       request a sustainable business case to come forward for the future management and use of the Wheatley Young People’s Centre led by the Children’s Centre;

(c)        encourage proposals to come forward for the remaining young people’s centres on school sites for Cabinet consider as part of the Big Society Fund.

Cabinet Member: Growth & Infrastructure

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/066

Contact: Adrian Saunders, Rail Development Officer Tel: (01865) 815080

Report by Deputy Director of Environment & Economy – Growth & Infrastructure (CA 9).

The Didcot Parkway Station Interchange project was recommended by the Didcot Integrated Transport Strategy and is included in the current Local Transport Plan.  It has been identified as priority infrastructure in the Oxfordshire Local Investment Plan.

Strategic transport infrastructure is essential to the delivery of new housing and jobs. This project aims to improve the attractiveness of public transport in Didcot and Science Vale UK by tackling the issues of poor layout and congestion at the station. It will deliver new faciltiies that will ensure the station has the capacity to meet future travel demand as the number of people living and working in the locality increases.

In accordance with the Financial Procedure Rules of the Council’s Constitution, approval from the Cabinet is required for capital projects exceeding £5 million in value, and this project is valued at £6.6 million.

This report gives an update on progress with the project and seeks authority to proceed with the award of a contract so that construction can begin this year.  A detailed project appraisal is provided as an annex to the report.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the detailed project appraisal..

Cabinet considered a report that gave an update on progress with the project and sought authority to proceed with the award of a contract.

RESOLVED:             to approve the detailed project appraisal.

Cabinet Member: Growth & Infrastructure

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/035

Contact: Peter Day, Minerals & Waste Policy Team Leader Tel (01865) 815544

Report by Deputy Director of Environment & Economy – Growth & Infrastructure (CA10).

The Minerals and Waste Core Strategy will set out the vision, objectives, spatial strategy, core policies and implementation framework for the supply of minerals and management of waste in Oxfordshire to 2030.  The County Council must carry out consultation on a preferred strategy before the Core Strategy is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.  This consultation is to be undertaken in June/July 2011, in accordance with the timetable previously agreed by Cabinet.  Draft preferred strategies for minerals and waste were considered by the Minerals and Waste Working Group on 9 May 2011.  The Working Group has recommended to Cabinet that these should form the basis of a preferred minerals and waste core strategy for consultation.

The report summarises comments that have been received on the report by Atkins on Local Assessment of Aggregates Supply Requirements for Oxfordshire and sets out actions to address the key points raised.  A preferred strategy for minerals is put forward, including a vision and obectives for minerals and core minerals polices, which incorporate the aggregates supply figures and the strategy for the location of mineral workings agreed by Cabinet on 16 February 2011.

The strategy must also make planning provision for the management of all wastes in Oxfordshire, including municipal waste; commercial and industrial waste; construction and demolition waste; hazardous waste; and radioactive waste.  Management of waste in Oxfordshire is moving away for landfill towards increased recycling and resource recovery treatment.  The strategy needs to make provision for the additional facilities that will be needed to enable this to continue.  These facilities will mainly be needed at or near to the main urban areas.  A draft preferred strategy is put forward which includes a vision and objectives for waste; the need for additional waste facilities; options for meeting these requirements; a draft preferred planning strategy for the location of new waste management facilities; and draft polices for waste.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               Agree that the County Council’s draft Preferred Minerals and Waste Core Strategy be based on the proposed strategies and policies in Annexes 2, 3 and 4.

(b)              Agree that public consultation be carried out on the preferred strategy and policies for minerals and on the strategy options and draft preferred strategy and polices for waste.

Delegate authority to finalise the consultation document to the Deputy Director (Growth and Infrastructure) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure.

Councillor Charles Mathew praised the hard work over several years that had gone into the report and stated that he did not intend to detail the impact on local people nor the shortcomings he felt were in the Atkins report. He highlighted what he saw as an unacceptable concentration of gravel extraction in West Oxfordshire, explained that he felt the figures for extraction were too high and that he awaited the updated figures. More focus was needed on secondary production and recycling.

The Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure noted that she had heard the comments from members and she too awaited the new figures referred to by Councillor Mathew. This was a full and important report and progress was needed. However she had only recently taken over the portfolio and felt that further consideration was needed on the waste element. She would like more time to discuss the matter further with officers and she asked that consideration be deferred to a future meeting. Following assurances that the delay would not compromise the position of the Cabinet and Council it was:

RESOLVED:             to defer consideration to a future meeting.

Cabinet Member: Safer & Stronger Communities

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/052

Contact: Colin Thomas, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tel: (01865) 855206

Report by Deputy Chief Fire Officer (CA11).

On the 21^st December 2010 following 7 years of work on “FiReControl,” the mandatory government project to regionalise Fire and Rescue Service call receipt, mobilising and incident management arrangements, the government announced its cancellation. 

Oxfordshire’s Control Room had throughout this time remained resilient, with County Council funded essential maintenance and selective upgrading and continued management support to staff who were facing future employment uncertainty.  However, due to the previous project, which would have made the existing facility redundant, medium and long term development of the existing arrangements had not been undertaken.  As a result of the government cancellation of the project, whilst current arrangements remain resilient, there is an urgent need to review options for medium and longer term arrangements.

A government consultation regarding potential future approaches and financial and technical details has been released and Oxfordshire have responded.  The government response to the consultation is awaited.

A set of Oxfordshire requirements for a medium to long term approach has been identified.  In addition a set of options for future arrangements has been drafted. 

In response to an approach from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, a joint scoping study with other Thames Valley Fire and Rescue Services is being undertaken.  This is examining a range of options which will be measured against the above Oxfordshire requirements.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:-

(a)              endorse the progression of the collaborative scoping study and creation of the Strategic Outline Business Case being undertaken by Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Royal Berkshire FRSs

(b)       approve the above list (para 18) of Oxfordshire requirements as benchmarks against which future options will be assessed

(c)       approve the list of options (para 20)  included within the options appraisal

(d)              require the CFO to instigate appropriate actions in relation to the asset management and capital strategy dependant on the outcomes of the scoping study

(e)              require the CFO to report back to the Cabinet Member on a regular basis covering:-

a.                  the CLG consultation response

b.                 progress on the scoping study and strategic outline business case

c.                  progress on other third party activities

Cabinet considered a report setting out proposals for future arrangements following the cancellation of the government project to regionalise Fire and Rescue Service call receipt, mobilising and incident management arrangements.

Rachel Dodson spoke in support of the retention of the current control centre arrangements. The control centre was a first point of contact for callers who were often distressed. All their skills were utilised to make an appropriate response and local knowledge was a vital part of that. They gave life saving fire survival guidance and were a part of the fire and rescue service team with a vital role to play. She explained the other duties undertaken and that they were open to the idea of increased duties but would not wish to see their operationality threatened. The partnership proposals could bring risks.

Responding to a question from the Deputy Leader Ms Dodson stated that it was not impossible that they could take over services in other areas but that ran the risk of diluting the service provided.

The Chief Fire Officer in introducing the report paid tribute to Councillors Rose and Heathcoat who had refused to sign a lease on the building for the Regional Project that had since been scrapped. This had saved the Council from being tied into a 25 year lease. He stated that the last few years had been challenging and commended the professionalism of staff that had meant that the ability to take calls and mobilise resources had not been diminished.

The Cabinet Member for Safer & Community Services added her thanks to that of the Chief Fire Officer to control room staff. She noted that Oxfordshire’s Control Room had remained resilient thanks to Colin Thomas and the staff. However there was a risk to that resilience due to the IT system that was probably serviceable until 2014.

RESOLVED:                        to:-

(a)               endorse the progression of the collaborative scoping study and creation of the Strategic Outline Business Case being undertaken by Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Royal Berkshire FRSs

(b)       approve the above list (paragraph 18) of Oxfordshire requirements as benchmarks against which future options will be assessed

(c)        approve the list of options (paragraph 20)  included within the options appraisal

(d)               require the Chief Fire Officer to instigate appropriate actions in relation to the asset management and capital strategy dependant on the outcomes of the scoping study

(e)               require the Chief Fire Officer to report back to the Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities on a regular basis covering:-

a.                  the CLG consultation response

b.                  progress on the scoping study and strategic outline business case

c.                  progress on other third party activities.

Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/186

Contact: Fran Fonseca, Strategic Lead CLA Tel: (01865) 323098

Report by Director for Children, Education & Families (CA12).

This report is one of a number of regular updates for  Cabinet on performance and outcomes for Children Looked After and Care Leavers (CLA).

The report provides a progress report on the continued implementation of the Corporate Parenting Strategy adopted by Cabinet in May 08.. The report also includes an amended Placement strategy.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       continue to support the Corporate Parenting Strategy and to work to the current objectives of the strategy;

(b)      endorse the amended Placement Strategy

Cabinet considered one of a regular series of reports that came to Cabinet on its role as legal "Corporate Parent" to the Children and Young People Looked After by the Council, and those Leaving Care to live independently.

RESOLVED:                        to:

(a)       continue to support the Corporate Parenting Strategy and to work to the current objectives of the strategy; and

(b)      endorse the amended Placement Strategy.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/005

Contact: Sue Corrigan, Strategic HR Manager Tel: (01865) 810280

Report by Head of Human Resources (CA 13).

This report gives an update on activity since 31 March 2010.  It gives details of the agreed establishment figure at 31 March 2011 in terms of Full Time Equivalents, together with the detailed staffing position at 31 March 2011. These are shown in the report by directorate and service area.

The report also provides information on current activity and in addition there is information on grant funded posts and those vacancies which are being covered by agency staff and at what cost.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a) note the report;

(b) confirm that the Establishment Review continues to meet the Cabinet’s requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

The heading to the table on page 171 was corrected.

Councillor Jean Fooks, commented that the figures were going down but that an explanation giving the background would be helpful.

The Deputy Leader indicated that the trend information was straightforward and that detailed background information was available.

RESOLVED:          to:

(a)       note the report;

(b)       confirm that the Establishment Review continues to meet the Cabinet’s requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/085

Contact: Glenn Watson, Principal Governance Officer Tel: (01865) 815270

Report by County Solicitor & Monitoring Officer (CA14).

This report proposes a change to the Scheme of Delegation for Individual Cabinet Member Decisions to allow greater flexibility for the Leader to nominate any other member of the Cabinet to take the place of an appointed member, if the relevant delegated decision maker is unavailable.  It also proposes that the current circulation of hard copies of the Council’s Constitution be ended in favour of a single electronic master copy on the Council’s website.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to recommend Council:

(a)              to amend Part 4.4 of the Council’s Constitution to effect the

changes to the ‘Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet

Members’ referred to in paragraph 7 above;

(b)       to agree that the website copy of the Constitution should be the master copy, that the routine circulation of hard copies should cease and that the Monitoring Officer be asked to amend the Constitution to make clear that the website copy is the definitive version.

Councillor Jean Fooks expressed unhappiness at the proposal. She was concerned that decisions could be taken by a Cabinet Member not fully versed in the subject matter. She felt that the current option to take it to the next cabinet meeting was sufficient. The Leader explained the context for the change and that it would be used infrequently.

RESOLVED:                        to recommend Council:

(a)       to amend Part 4.4 of the Council’s Constitution to effect the

changes to the ‘Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet

Members’ referred to in paragraph 7 above; and

(b)       to agree that the website copy of the Constitution should be the master copy, that the routine circulation of hard copies should cease and that the Monitoring Officer be asked to amend the Constitution to make clear that the website copy is the definitive version.

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Sue Whitehead, Committee Services Manager (01865 810262)

The Cabinet Procedure Rules provide that the business of each meeting at the Cabinet is to include “updating of the Forward Plan and proposals for business to be conducted at the following meeting”.   Items from the Forward Plan for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet appear in the Schedule at CA15.  This includes any updated information relating to the business for those meetings that has already been identified for inclusion in the next Forward Plan update.

The Schedule is for noting, but Cabinet Members may also wish to take this opportunity to identify any further changes they would wish to be incorporated in the next Forward Plan update.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.

The Cabinet considered a list of items (CA) for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet together with changes and additions set out in the schedule of addenda.

RESOLVED:            to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.

In order to link to Forward Plan a duplicate item has had top be created. The decision and minute is shown in the item above.

Cabinet Member:  Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/109

Contact: Guy Swindle, Head of Strategy and Communications, Tel: (01865) 815466; Paul Smith, External Relations Manager Tel: (01865) 810256

Report by the Head of Strategy & Communications

In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Executive

Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended), the Deputy Chairman of the Strategy & Partnerships Scrutiny Committee has agreed that the need to take the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

As part of the BBC's need to make £89m of cuts from its national BBC Journalism budget, managers at the corporation are considering withdrawing three regional TV news outlets in Oxford, Cambridge and the Channel Islands.

The cuts to BBC Journalism are part of wider cost-savings across the BBC that stem from the freezing of the TV licence for five years. The BBC has not made any formal decision on these proposals to date. Any firm proposals in coming months would be subject to the ratification of the BBC Trust, which would wish to hear the views of local people and organisations before making a final decision.

This report considers the possible impacts for Oxfordshire County Council and the people of Oxfordshire.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to RECOMMEND Council to

(a)       record that it believes that a cessation of service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication.

(b)       ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition.

(c)       ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals. 

Recommendations agreed subject to the referral of the matter to Council including BBC local radio services in addition to BBC Oxford TV.