Agenda and minutes
PDF 300 KBVenue: County Hall, Oxford, OX1 1ND
Contact: Sue Whitehead Tel: (01865) 810262; E-Mail: sue.whitehead@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Note: On Agenda Item No: Meeting ended
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Louise Chapman. |
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Declarations of Interest - guidance note opposite Minutes: Councillor Fatemian declared a personal interest on Item 6, Home to School Transport Policy as a governor of Warriner School. Councillor Carter declared an interest in Item 21, Highways Contract – Buy Out of Atkins Highways by Skanska in so far as his wife was about to take up a position with Atkins and took no part in the decision leaving the room. |
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Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2013 were received and it was agreed they be submitted for approval to the next meeting. |
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Questions from County Councillors Any
county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am two working
days before the meeting, ask a question on any matter in respect of the
Cabinet’s delegated powers. The
number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is
limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the
meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As
with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of
this item will receive a written response. Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time. Minutes: Councillor John Howson had given notice of the
following question to Councillor Melinda Tilley: “How long has it taken for prosecutions started by Oxfordshire County
Council since September 2012 in relation to non-attendance of pupils at school
to be completed?” Councillor Tilley replied: “The length of proceedings in relation to non- attendance of pupils at
school (from issue at Court to final hearing), in the period September
2012 to July 2013, is given in the table below. Over this period 34 cases
commenced , 33 of which ended in conviction, one of which in acquittal.
The average length of proceedings was 11 weeks.
Supplementary: In response to a question Councillor Tilley replied that
yes she would continue to press the Minister of Justice to give as much
priority as possible to these cases. Councillor Roz Smith had given notice of the following question
to Councillor David Nimmo Smith: “Consultants White Young and Green, (WYG), were engaged by the Council
in early May 2013 to write a Headington Transport
Strategy. A strategy to deal with the congestion, rat-running, speeding
and to improve cycling and walking in the Headington
area is to be welcomed. Could the cabinet member please tell me how and
when the decision to employ WYG was taken?” Councillor David Nimmo Smith replied: “White
Young Green (WYG) were commissioned in May 2013 to work with the county council’s
Infrastructure Development team, local members and stakeholders to consider the
current and future transport challenges in Headington
and develop a strategy for the area. WYG
have worked with the county council on similar projects in Banbury and Bicester, looking at transport and the infrastructure
implications of future growth. They were appointed in accordance with
Council procurement rules for work under £25,000 in value and have proved
themselves to be both technically competent and able to deliver within the
required timescales.” Supplementary: Councillor Smith asked why key local stakeholders such as local councillors were not invited to attend the Steering Group and were not being included in the development of the strategy. Councillor Nimmo Smith replied that he would provide a written response. |
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Petitions and Public Address Minutes: Item 6 - Councillor
Lynda Atkins ) Councillor George Reynolds )speaking as a local councillor Councillor Kieron Mallon ) Councillor Glynis Phillips ) Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children,
Education & Families District Councillor for Garsington,
Elizabeth Gillespie Sue Moon, Oxon Bus Action Group Niall McWilliams, Head Teacher, Carterton
Community College Graham Speke, Carterton Community
College Bob Edward, Carterton, supporting
proposals Annabel Kay Head Teacher, Warriner
School Andrew Baud, founder of the Shutford
Community Association, member of the The Warriner Partnership working party and governor at Sibford Gower Primary School Kathy Haig, Headteacher, Burford School Andrew Pitman, Chair of Governors, Burford
School Richard Martin, governor at Burford
School John White, Mayor of Burford Mr Rae, Chair of Governors at Brize
Norton Primary School Ed Scates Margot Nelson, St Swithens CE
Primary School, Kennington resident, parent and Chair of Governors Mrs Katherine Curtis, Head Teacher, Wheatley Park School Item 8 – Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow
Cabinet Member for Finance Item 9 – Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow
Cabinet Member for Finance Item 10 – Councillor Laura Price, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult
Social Care Item 11- Laura Price, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social
Care Item 12 – Councillor Gill Sanders , Shadow Cabinet Member for
Children, Education & Families Item 17 – Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader Councillor Lilly, speaking as Chairman of Pension Fund
Committee Robin Gill, School Forum Item 18 – Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader Item 21 - Cllr John Sanders |
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Home to School Transport Policy Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families Forward Plan Ref: 2013/089 Contact: Neil Darlington, Service Manager – Admissions & Transport Tel: (01865) 815844 Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA6). The Council has undertaken a
consultation with the public, headteachers and other
interested parties upon a number of proposed changes to the Home to School
Transport Policy. The proposed changes have been
made in the light of the current difficult financial situation in the UK, the
continuing impact this will have on local government finances, and the need to
ensure that the Home to School Transport Policy is equitable. The report contains an analysis
of the responses to the consultation. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED
to adopt the following proposals: (a) To increase the charges for concessionary travel and post 16 travel in
2014/15 to £290.40 (£96.80 per two terms of the 6 term year) for those who live
under 3 miles from the school attended and £541.20 per annum (£180.40 per two
terms of the 6 term year) for those who live over 3 miles from the school
attended. (b) To increase the concessionary fare by 2% per annum from September 2015 (c) From September 2014 to end the
waiving of the concessionary charge for the third and subsequent
children of families who have more than two children using the same home to
school transport service. (d) From September 2013 onwards to only use the guidance issued by Road
Safety GB when making risk assessments of walked routes to school. (e) From September 2014 onwards to adopt the phased ending of free travel to
the designated (catchment) school if the distance from home to school is over 3
miles if aged 8 or over, or 2 miles if less than aged 8 and of school age if it
is not the nearest school. (f) To reassess routes designated as “unsafe walking routes” against the
guidance issued by Road Safety GB over 2013/14 and 2014/15. (g) From 2013 to remove all references to collaborative learning transport
from the Home to School Transport Policy. (h) From September 2013 to use a two stage review/appeal process in
accordance with the Department for Education Transport and Travel Guidance of
March 2013. (i) All other parts of the proposed Home to
School Transport Policy not covered by proposals a to h for September 2014
onwards. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet had before them a report that contained an analysis
of the responses to a consultation with the public, head teachers and other
interested parties upon a number of proposed changes to the Home to School
Transport Policy. Cabinet further had a note from the Chairman of the Education
Scrutiny Committee containing recommendations following consideration of the
proposals at their meeting on 4 July 2013 and a further supplementary report
containing an update on the analysis of consultation responses in the light of
responses received since the circulation of the agenda. Finally Cabinet had
before them a supplementary report advising that the new Guidance which had
been the basis of consultation had now been withdrawn by the Department for
Education and the previous 2007 Guidance reinstated and that therefore it was
inappropriate to consider the proposals today. Peter Clark, County Solicitor confirmed the advice given in
the supplementary report no decision on the current proposals be taken today. Councillor Hudspeth indicated that he would be accepting the
advice given but that in any case he had been minded to defer the matter
following the letters and emails that he had received and other representations
made to him by councillors and the public. He accepted that there would be a
need to repeat the consultation and that he did not wish to rush this decision.
However he referred to the serious financial challenge that the Council faced
and that the whole budget was being considered to see where the savings could
be achieved. He noted that the proposals
had been in line with the then current guidance, had not affected anyone
currently in receipt of free transport and that the majority of parents were
not affected. His ambition was that all schools in Oxfordshire would be good or
excellent and that there would be no reason not to go to the local school. He
referred to a number of existing anomalies, stressed that he would meet with
residents and that he had an open mind. Mrs Nelson, St Swithens CE Primary
School, Kennington resident, parent and Chair of Governors submitted a petition
against the proposals and in speaking to the petition highlighted 5 areas of
concern: she wished Kennington to maintain the diverse social cohorts it
currently achieved that she felt would be threatened by the changes to the
policy; child safety - it was impractical to expect parents to walk with their
children each day; congestion would increase; there were educational concerns
and concerns around social equality. Councillor Lynda Atkins, as Chairman of the Education
Scrutiny Committee highlighted the key points set out in her note of the
discussion at the meeting on 4 July 2013. Councillor George Reynolds, speaking as a local councillor expressed concerns over the length of the consultation and the range of people consulted. Parish Councils had not been consulted directly and more information was needed on what the proposals meant to people. He also highlighted the possible implications for the villages, parents, children and schools ... view the full minutes text for item 77/13 |
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Treasury Management 2012/13 Outturn Cabinet Member: Finance Forward Plan Ref: 2013/027 Contact: Gregory Lee, Financial Manager – Treasury Management Tel: (01865) 323978 Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA7). To review Treasury
Management activity in 2012/13 in accordance with the CIPFA code of practice. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the report, and to RECOMMEND
Council to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2012/13. Minutes: Cabinet considered a report reviewing Treasury
Management activity in 2012/13 in accordance with the CIPFA code of practice. RESOLVED: to note the report, and to RECOMMEND Council to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2012/13. |
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2013/14 Financial Monitoring & Business Strategy Delivery Report - May 2013 Cabinet Member: Finance Forward Plan Ref: 2013/002 Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Principal Financial Manager Tel: (01865) 323981 Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA8). This report focuses on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies which were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2013/14 – 2016/17. Parts 1 and 2 include projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of May 2013. Capital Programme monitoring and update is included at Part 3. Changes to Fees and Charges are included in Part 4. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED
to: (a)
note the report; (b)
approve the virement
requests set out in Annex 2a; (c)
note the updated Treasury Management lending list
at Annex 7; (d)
approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 9
and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 8c and the proposed
programme of works for the additional £3.551m of highways maintenance funding
set out in Appendix D of Annex 9; (e) approve the changes to charges for Trading Standards and note the change in charges at Hill End Outdoor Education Centre as set out in Part 4 and Annex 10. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered a report that focused on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies which were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2013/14 – 2016/17. Parts 1 and 2 included projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of May 2013. Capital Programme monitoring and update was included at Part 3. Changes to Fees and Charges were included in Part 4. Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance drew attention to the level of overspend in respect of children’s social care and the Older Peoples Physical Disability Pooled budget. RESOLVED: to: (a)
note the report; (b)
approve the virement
requests set out in Annex 2a; (c)
note the updated Treasury Management lending list
at Annex 7; (d)
approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 9
and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 8c and the proposed
programme of works for the additional £3.551m of highways maintenance funding
set out in Appendix D of Annex 9; and (e) approve the changes to charges for Trading Standards and note the change in charges at Hill End Outdoor Education Centre as set out in Part 4 and Annex 10. |
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Impact of the 2015/16 Central Government Spending Round Cabinet Member: Finance Forward Plan Ref: 2013/105 Contact: Lorna Baxter, Deputy Chief Finance Officer Tel: (01865) 323971 Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA9). This report outlines the key features and implications of the 2013 Spending Round announced on 26 June 2013, which sets out public spending totals for the financial year 2015/16. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to
note the report. Minutes: Cabinet considered a report that outlined the key features
and implications of the 2013 Spending Round announced on 26 June 2013, which
sets out public spending totals for the financial year 2015/16. Councillor Nick Hards, Cabinet Member for Finance expressed
concerns at the possible consequences of the measures imposed by central
government. Responding Councillor Fatemian confirmed the Council’s
awareness that Council assets not be neglected and highlighted the impact of
the new measures that increased the savings needed. RESOLVED:
to note the report. |
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Joint Carers Strategy Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care Forward Plan Ref: 2013/023 Contact: Alan Sinclair, Lead Commissioner for Older People Tel: (01865) 323665 Report by Director for Social & Community Services (CA10). This report sets
out the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy 2013 - 2016. This replaces the previous
Carers' Strategy which ran from 2009 - 2012. It details Oxfordshire's
commitment to the support of unpaid carers who support relatives, neighbours
and friends across Oxfordshire. The strategy is a
joint commitment from Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Clinical
Commissioning Group to continue and further develop their support to carers of
all ages, along with their partners in the voluntary sector and other
commissioned services. A period of consultation with carers and carers'
services from November 2012 to March 2013 led to the drafting of the revised
Carers' Strategy. The Strategy is
underpinned by an Implementation Plan which will support the delivery of the
intentions laid out in the Strategy during it's lifetime to ensure good
outcomes for carers. The Cabinet
is RECOMMENDED to agree the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy 2013 - 2016. Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet
had before them a report setting out the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy 2013 -
2016. This replaced the previous Carers' Strategy which ran from 2009 - 2012.
It detailed Oxfordshire's commitment to the support of unpaid carers who
support relatives, neighbours and friends across Oxfordshire. The
strategy is a joint commitment from Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire
Clinical Commissioning Group to continue and further develop their support to
carers of all ages, along with their partners in the voluntary sector and other
commissioned services. A period of consultation with carers and carers'
services from November 2012 to March 2013 led to the drafting of the revised
Carers' Strategy. The
Strategy is underpinned by an Implementation Plan which will support the
delivery of the intentions laid out in the Strategy during it's
lifetime to ensure good outcomes for carers. Councillor
Laura Price, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care expressed her thanks
for the time given by carers and welcomed the measures to increase
identification of carers. She suggested that there was an omission with no
mention of financial wellbeing that could undermine a lot of the other work
outlined here. Councillor
Heathcoat introduced the contents of the report highlighting the demanding and
diverse role of carers and the importance of valuing both the giver and
receivers of care. RESOLVED: to agree the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy
2013 - 2016. |
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Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care Forward Plan Ref: 2012/174 Contact: Andrew Colling, Quality & Contracts Manager Tel: (01865) 323682 Report by Director for Social & Community Services (CA11). The cost of adult social care and
how it should be funded has for many years been the subject of discussion and
much media attention. These discussions have taken place at both a national and
a local level and in many respects have focused on the cost of care home
services Over the last twelve months or so
Social and Community Services had conducted a review of Care Home Fees for
Older People in Oxfordshire. On 19 January 2013
Cabinet considered a paper from the Director for Social & Community
Services that proposed new arrangements for Care Home Fees in Oxfordshire. Cabinet agreed the report and
recommended that the Director for Social & Community Services should
consult care home providers again on the proposals for 2013/14. This report now
provides feedback on the consultation on Care Home Fees that ended on 18 June
2013. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to
approve the proposals set out in the report. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet
considered a report that provided feedback on the consultation on Care Home
Fees that ended on 18 June 2013. The consultation with care home providers was
approved following consideration by Cabinet on 19 January 2013 on proposed new
arrangements for Care Home Fees in Oxfordshire in 2013/14. Councillor
Laura Price highlighted the dismal response rate and expressed concern at the
unwillingness of providers to discuss the financial position. John
Jackson explained the context to the report and the efforts taken to engage
with providers. RESOLVED:
to approve the proposals set out in the report. |
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Placement Strategy for Children In and On the Edge of Care Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families Forward Plan Ref: 2013/035 Contact: Matthew Edwards, Corporate Parenting Manager Tel: (01865) 323097 Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA12). This paper outlines the vision, approach and scope of the Placement
Strategy for Children in and on the edge of care. The strategy is based on the fundamental
principle of ‘keeping our riskiest and most vulnerable children closest". Some children will
require very specialist placements out of county but for the large majority we
need to be able to place, educate, and provide therapeutic support within
Oxfordshire. Whilst improving outcomes
is Oxfordshire County Council's primary concern an important driver is also
recognizing that high quality saves and
poor quality costs in terms of expenditure on our looked after children . The Placement Strategy sets
out how Oxfordshire County Council
along with key partners will strengthen edge of care interventions to keep
children with their families, support friends and family care
arrangements, increase in-house fostering for harder to place children and
build on the work that has been so successful in achieving permanency for many
of our looked after children. One
critical work stream of the placement strategy requires capital investment to
move forward: increasing in-house, in-county residential provision. The
proposal is for the creation of an additional 12 assessment beds in 2 homes [6
beds in each] and 8 ‘move-on’ beds for 16-18 year olds in 2 further homes [4 beds in each] This
will create an overall in county in-house residential pathway capacity of 32
beds It is proposed that surveys will be conducted
on already identified sites within the County’s existing property estate.
Estimates suggest that this initial survey work will cost £150k. The estimated overall spend to build the 4
homes is £7M but this will be exactly quantified post survey results. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED
to: (a)
approve the placement strategy; and (b)
endorse the initial approach to increase
in-county residential capacity and give approval for a detailed survey of
potential sites to be undertaken followed by more detailed costings and return
to cabinet for consideration. Minutes: Cabinet considered a
report that outlined the vision, approach and scope of the Placement Strategy
for Children in and on the edge of care.
Councillor Gill
Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families supported
the strategy and spoke of the need to build additional capacity in Oxfordshire. RESOLVED: to: (a)
approve the placement strategy; and (b)
endorse the initial approach to increase
in-county residential capacity and give approval for a detailed survey of
potential sites to be undertaken followed by more detailed costings
and return to cabinet for consideration. |
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Expansion of Queensway Primary School, Banbury to 2 Form Entry Cabinet Member: Education Forward Plan Ref: 2013/046 Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445 Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA13). The proposal is to permanently increase the school admission number at Queensway Primary School to 60 from 30. This means that each year group would consist of up to 60 places, taught in two classes of 30 children each, making a maximum total of 420 pupils. This proposal is to formally change the admission number to 60 on a permanent basis from September 2014. This proposal is related to a concurrent option appraisal on how the necessary accommodation required might be provided. The current capacity of the school is 250 and the proposed capacity will be 420. The current admission number for the school is 30 and the proposed admission number will be 60. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to
approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Queensway
Primary School, Banbury. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered a proposal to
permanently increase the school admission number at Queensway Primary School to
60 from 30 from September 2014. This means that each year group would consist
of up to 60 places, taught in two classes of 30 children each, making a maximum
total of 420 pupils. RESOLVED: to approve the
publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Queensway Primary
School, Banbury. |
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Expansion of St Joseph's Catholic (VA) Primary School, Oxford to 2 Form Entry Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families Forward Plan Ref: 2013/087 Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445 Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA13). The proposal is to permanently
increase the school admission number at St Joseph's Catholic (VA) Primary
School, Oxford to 60 from 45. This means that each year group would consist of
up to 60 places, taught in two classes of 30, making a maximum total of 420
pupils. This proposal is to formally
change the admission number to 60 on a permanent basis from September 2014.
This proposal is related to a concurrent option appraisal run by the Birmingham
Catholic Archdiocese, on how the necessary accommodation required might be
provided. The current
capacity of the school is 315 and the proposed capacity will be 420. The
current admission number for the school is 45 and the proposed admission number
will be 60. The expansion is
proposed due to increase in population and over-subscription of the school. The final decision
on whether to proceed approve expansion is referred to the Cabinet at the
meeting on 16 July 2013. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the permanent expansion of St Joseph’s Catholic (VA) Primary School, Oxford with effect from 1 September 2014. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered a report that
sought approval to permanently increase the school admission number at St
Joseph's Catholic (VA) Primary School, Oxford to 60 from 45 from September 2014.
This means that each year group would consist of up to 60 places, taught in two
classes of 30, making a maximum total of 420 pupils. RESOLVED: to approve the
permanent expansion of St Joseph’s Catholic (VA) Primary School, Oxford with
effect from 1 September 2014. |
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Expansion of Watchfield Primary School to 2 Form Entry Cabinet Member: Education Forward Plan Ref: 2013/059 Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445 Report by Director of Children’s Services (CA15). The proposal is
to permanently increase the school admission number at Queensway Primary School
to 60 from 45. This means that each year group would consist of up to 60
places, taught in two classes of 30 children each, making a maximum total of
420 pupils. This proposal is
to formally change the admission number to 60 on a permanent basis from
September 2014. This proposal is related to a concurrent option appraisal on
how the necessary accommodation required might be provided. The current
capacity of the school is 315 and the proposed capacity will be 420. The
current admission number for the school is 45 and the proposed admission number
will be 60. The
Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the
expansion of Watchfield Primary School. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered a report on a proposal to
permanently increase the school admission number at Queensway Primary School to
60 from 45 from September 2014. RESOLVED: to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Watchfield Primary School. |
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Expansion of Wolvercote Primary School, Oxford to 1.5 Form Entry Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families Forward Plan Ref: 2013/085 Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445 Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA16). The proposal is to permanently increase the school admission number at Wolvercote Primary School to 45 from 30. This means that each year group would consist of up to 45 places, taught in mixed-age classes, making a maximum total of 315 pupils. This proposal is to formally change the admission number to 45 on a permanent basis from September 2014. This proposal is related to a concurrent option appraisal on how the necessary accommodation required might be provided. The current capacity of the school is 210 and the proposed capacity will be 315. The current admission number for the school is 30 and the proposed admission number will be 45. The expansion is proposed due to proposed housing development in the area and increase in population. The final decision on whether to approve expansion of Wolvercote Primary School is referred to the Cabinet at the meeting on 16 July 2013. The
Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the permanent
expansion of Wolvercote Primary School with effect from 1 September 2014. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet had before them a report on a proposal to
permanently increase the school admission number at Wolvercote
Primary School to 45 from 30 from September 2014. Councillor Tilley in moving the recommendations commented
that in future it was intended that if possible decisions such as this would be
dealt with as a delegated decision. Cabinet supported this move but stressed
that it was important that where there were serious objections that they could
still be considered by Cabinet. RESOLVED: to approve the permanent expansion of Wolvercote Primary School with effect from 1 September 2014. |
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Future Direction of Oxfordshire Customer Services and School Facing Services Cabinet Member: Business & Customer Services Forward Plan Ref: 2013/082 Contact: Andy Bell, Programme Manager Tel: (01865) 323221 Report by Deputy Director – Oxfordshire Customer Services ( CA17). Minutes: Cabinet had before them two reports on the future direction of Oxfordshire Customer Services and school facing services. |
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Oxfordshire Customer Services - School Support and Back Office Services Report by the Director for Environment and Economy (CA17a) Since October
2012, work has been underway to develop a strategic direction for the future of
school related support and back office services generally, including those in
CEF which have been prepared to an internally commissioned specification model for
delivery of service functions 2013/14. In summary: • Scope for consideration is OCS provided
schools back office (HR, Finance , ICT) schools support and school improvement
where CEF has responsibility • One driver is that back-office services and some
school support services are not the Council’s core business. There are some school support services that
provide a statutory function However,
there is a reduced capacity within schools improvement services to meet the
needs of schools in a timely way or to manage supply and demand • Need to improve
and secure educational outcomes for all young people • Reduced grants
from the DfE requiring increased trading • Changes to the
schools funding formula with effect from April 2013 • The default position is that services should
no longer be provided directly by the County Council unless there is clear
strategic value to retain • We need to ensure that schools and academies
continue to have access to the services they need and where possible, these
services should be based locally. In June 2013, these proposals have taken on added significance because
the Comprehensive Spending Review requires further savings – potentially up to
10% of current spend. This is not achievable within the current CEF budget and
delivery model.All services in scope have been subject to internal review.
Arrangements undertaken by other Local Authorities have been reviewed. Work has
been undertaken to confirm the actual cost of services and the risks and
challenges ahead. On the basis that services will be externalised, the review
has also given consideration to possible delivery models. The
Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the following (a) Subject to any changes
following soft market testing, services listed in section 3 should continue to
be delivered in-house (b) Subject to any changes
following soft market testing, remaining back office and schools support
services listed in section 4 should be prepared for externalisation (c) All service specifications
should be reviewed as to the business case for continuing wholly or in part
from April 2014. (d) Updated service
specifications alongside externalisation proposals should at the heart of
service and resource planning from now onwards and as such should be the basis for
updating and delivering business strategy. (e)
Subject to soft market testing results, externalisation proposals should
be prepared in September 2013 for Cabinet decision on outsourcing and/or joint
venture with a view to procuring and implementing the decisions necessary by 31st
March 2015. Minutes: Cabinet considered
a report that referred to work undertaken since October 2012 to develop a
strategic direction for the future of school related support and back office
services generally, including those in Children, Education & Families (CEF)
which have been prepared to an internally commissioned specification model for
delivery of service functions 2013/14. Cabinet noted that in June 2013, these
proposals had taken on added significance because the Comprehensive Spending
Review required further savings not achievable within the current CEF budget
and delivery model. Councillor
Brighouse, Opposition Leader although not suggesting that the proposals not go
forward felt that more time and consideration was needed to ensure this was the
right move. She referred to the amount of change faced by schools already and
the problems faced by them with the current outsourced service. Mr Gill as the
governor of a primary school stressed the need to preserve the values of the
current Schools Support Service. As a member of the Schools Forum he expressed
disappointment that they had not been consulted as they could have helped
develop the model and he strongly urged that the matter be forwarded to them
for consideration. He was concerned at the possible loss of services and urged
Cabinet to look at alternative models of provision. Councillor Carter
responding to the points made commented that consideration would be exhaustive
but that the Council did not have the luxury of a huge amount of time RESOLVED: to agree the following: (a)
subject to any changes following soft market
testing, services listed in section 3 should continue to be delivered in-house (b) subject to any changes following soft market testing, remaining back office and schools support services listed in section 4 should be prepared for externalisation. |
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Oxfordshire Customer Services - Externalisation of Back-Office and Support Functions Report by the Director
for Environment & Economy (CA17b) This paper is
concerned primarily with proposals for the externalisation of back-office
support services currently delivered from Oxfordshire Customer Services (OCS). Since October 2012,
work has been underway to develop a strategic direction for the future of
back-office services and school related services generally. In summary: •Scope for
consideration is the whole of OCS • The primary driver is that back-office services
and school support services are not the Council’s core business • The default position is that services should no
longer be provided directly by the County Council unless there is strategic
value to retain • We need to ensure that schools and academies
continue to have access to the services they need and where possible, these
services should be based locally. • Customer Service Centre (CSC) needs to remain
in-house because of the need to retain strategic control and oversight. In June 2013,
these proposals have taken on added significance because: • The current business strategy anticipates
savings for OCS that from 2015/16 onwards are now considered to be
undeliverable •The Comprehensive Spending Review requires further savings – potentially
up to 10% of current spend – which is not achievable with the current OCS
delivery model. The Cabinet is
RECOMMENDED to agree the following (a) Updated service specifications alongside
externalisation proposals and actions should form the basis for updating and
delivering the Business Strategy as regards OCS and should therefore be at the
heart of service and resource planning from now onwards. (b) All service specifications should be
reviewed as to the business case for continuing wholly or in part from April
2014. (c) Subject to any amendments following soft
market testing results, services listed in section 3 should continue to be
delivered in-house (d) Subject to any amendments following the soft
market testing results, HR, Financial and ICT back-office services listed in
section 4 should be in scope for externalisation. (e) Subject to soft market testing results, externalisation proposals should be prepared in September 2013 for Cabinet decision on outsourcing and/or joint venture with a view to procuring and implementing the solutions necessary by 31st March 2015 (f) As recommended in Annex 1, to agree to the further exploratory work needed to develop a full business case for the future merger of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire LGPS Funds, including detailed discussions with the Department of Communities and Local Government Minutes: Cabinet had
before them a report on proposals for the externalisation of back-office
support services currently delivered from Oxfordshire Customer Services (OCS).
The Comprehensive Spending Review required further savings which is not
achievable with the current OCS delivery model. Councillor
Stewart Lilly, Chairman of the Pension Fund Committee referred to
recommendation (f) and commented that during discussion of the proposal at
Pension Fund Committee they had stressed that this only go forward if it was
right for the members of the Pension Fund. RESOLVED: to agree the following: (a) updated
service specifications alongside externalisation proposals and actions should
form the basis for updating and delivering the Business Strategy as regards OCS
and should therefore be at the heart of service and resource planning from now
onwards; (b) all
service specifications should be reviewed as to the business case for
continuing wholly or in part from April 2014; (c) subject
to any amendments following soft market testing results, services listed in
section 3 should continue to be delivered in-house; (d) subject
to any amendments following the soft market testing results, HR, Financial and
ICT back-office services listed in section 4 should be in scope for
externalisation; (e) subject
to soft market testing results, externalisation proposals should be prepared in
September 2013 for Cabinet decision on outsourcing and/or joint venture with a
view to procuring and implementing the solutions necessary by 31st March 2015; and (f)
as recommended in Annex 1, to agree to the
further exploratory work needed to develop a full business case for the future
merger of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire LGPS Funds, including
detailed discussions with the Department of Communities and Local Government |
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Corporate Plan Performance Report for the 4th Quarter 2012 Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader Forward Plan Ref: 2013/004 Contact: Alexandra Bailey, Senior Performance & Improvement Manager Tel: (01865) 816384 Report by County Council Management Team (CA18). Quarterly performance monitoring report against the Corporate Plan priorities - Quarter 4. This report also introduces proposals for performance monitoring for 2013-14, as discusses by the Performance Scrutiny Committee on 27th June. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to: (a)
to note this report; and (b) to approve
the performance indicators for 2013/14 Minutes: Cabinet considered a quarterly
performance monitoring report against the Corporate Plan priorities - Quarter
4. This report also introduced proposals for performance monitoring for
2013-14, as discussed by the Performance Scrutiny Committee on 27t
June 2013. RESOLVED: to: (a)
to note this report; and (b) to approve the performance indicators for 2013/14. |
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Forward Plan and Future Business 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 CA19.
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. Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet considered a
list of items 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. |
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Exempt Items Minutes: RESOLVED: that the public be excluded for the duration of item 21 and 22 in the Agenda since it is likely that if they were present during those items there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and specified in relation to the respective items in the Agenda and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of each case, the public interest in exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. |
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Adult Social Care Management System
Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care Forward Plan Ref: 2013/057 Contact: Lindsay Russell, ICT Business Services Manager Tel: (01865) 816239 Report by Deputy Director – Adult Social Care (CA20). The information contained in the report and annexes
is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category: 3 – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any
particular person (including the authority holding that information) It is considered that in this case the public interest in maintaining
the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in
that such disclosure would distort the proper process of free negotiations between the authority
with another party for the purposes described and would prejudice the position
of the authority in those negotiations and other negotiations of a similar
nature in future. The purpose of
this report is to set out the reasons for the procurement of a new Adult Social
Care Management System. Minutes: Cabinet considered
a report seeking approval for the procurement of a new Adult Social Care
Management System. The information
contained in the report and annexes is exempt in that it falls within the
following prescribed category: 3 – information
relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person
(including the authority holding that information) It is considered
that in this case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs
the public interest in disclosing the information, in that such disclosure
would distort the
proper process of free negotiations between the authority with another party
for the purposes described and would prejudice the position of the authority in
those negotiations and other negotiations of a similar nature in future. Cabinet agreed the
approach to be taken. |
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Highways Contract - Buy Out of Atkins Highways by Skanska Cabinet Member: Environment Forward Plan Ref: 2013/111 Contact: Mark Kemp, Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery Tel: (01865) 815845 Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA 21). The information contained in the appendices
is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category: 5 - Information in respect of
which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal
proceedings It is considered that in this case the public
interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the
public interest in disclosing the information, in that disclosure would be to the detriment
of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties
as a public authority. Atkins was awarded
the Oxfordshire Highways Partnership contract in April 2010. The approximate annual value is between £20M
to £25M. The scope of the contract
covers highway maintenance, design services and construction. Atkins notified the Council in September of its intention to restructure its business by seeking a purchaser of its local highways contract. On 28 February, Atkins issued a briefing to the City and its staff about its proposal to sell the operational services part of the UK Highways & Transport business to Skanska. It hopes to complete the sale during the summer. Clearly this course of action will have a very significant impact for the Council. Cabinet is recommended
to:- (a) approve in Principle to the transfer of the performance of the Highways
Contract from Atkins to Skanska subject to the following details being agreed: ·
Publish a Voluntary Ex
Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice ·
Suspend entry into the
arrangement/transfer for a 10 days standstill period following publication ·
Agree appropriate
indemnities to mitigate the risk for the Council from Atkins and Skanska ·
Secure the necessary
Parent Company Guarantee from Atkins and Skanska ·
Completion of due
diligence (b) approve to delegate the decision on the proposed transfer of the performance of the Highways Contract from Atkins to Skanska to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Director for Environment & Economy along with the Executive Member for Highways and the County Solicitor. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered
the implications to the County Council of Atkins decision to restructure its
business and its proposal to sell the operational services part of the UK
Highways & Transport business to Skanska. It hopes to complete the sale
during the summer.. The information contained in the appendices
is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category: 5 - Information in respect of
which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal
proceedings It is considered that in this case the public
interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the
public interest in disclosing the information, in that disclosure would be to the detriment
of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties
as a public authority. Atkins was
awarded the Oxfordshire Highways Partnership contract in April 2010. The approximate annual value is between £20M
to £25M. The scope of the contract
covers highway maintenance, design services and construction. Atkins notified the Council in September of
its intention to restructure its business by seeking a purchaser of its local
highways contract. On 28 February,
Atkins issued a briefing to the City and its staff about its proposal to sell
the operational services part of the UK Highways & Transport business to
Skanska. It hopes to complete the sale during the summer. Clearly this course
of action will have a very significant impact for the Council. RESOLVED:
to:- (a)
approve in principle to
the transfer of the performance of the Highways Contract from Atkins to Skanska
subject to the following details being agreed: ·
Publish a Voluntary Ex
Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice ·
Suspend entry into the
arrangement/transfer for a 10 days standstill period following publication ·
Agree appropriate
indemnities to mitigate the risk for the Council from Atkins and Skanska ·
Secure the necessary
Parent Company Guarantee from Atkins and Skanska ·
Completion of due
diligence (b) approve to delegate the decision on the proposed transfer of the performance of the Highways Contract from Atkins to Skanska to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Director for Environment & Economy along with the Cabinet Member for Environment and the County Solicitor. |