Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Nimmo Smith

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed

Item 6 – Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment,

Councillor John Howson, local councillor

Councillor Nick Hards, local councillor

Councillor Susanna Pressel, local councillor

Item 7 – Councillor Val Smith, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Advisory Group 

Item 8 – Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Public health & the Voluntary Sector

Item 9 – Councillor John Christie, Opposition Deputy Leader

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2014 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2014 were approved and signed.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Louise Chapman

“Can you explain what extra work is required on the enforcement policy for weight restriction enforcement in Oxfordshire that means the policy has once again been delayed, and is not now listed to go to Cabinet before the 14th July?”

Councillor Chapman replied:

“Many roads in the County are covered by Traffic Regulation Orders restricting Heavy Goods Vehicle traffic. These orders can be introduced to protect weak road infrastructure or for traffic management reasons. On occasion, weight restrictions are also introduced to support temporary traffic management plans, for example during major roadworks. The County Council’s Trading Standards Service enforces these Orders. Most Orders are enforced by way of Trading Standards staff undertaking proactive monitoring at the location concerned. In some areas the local community undertake the monitoring and pass evidence to the Trading Standards Service for enforcement. In one location cameras are used to detect contraventions of the Order.

Work is being undertaken to prepare a policy framework applying to the enforcement of these weight restriction orders. The policy will be used to determine how enforcement resources are allocated to enforce the weight restrictions and how detected contraventions of the orders will be responded to. The policy will not affect decisions regarding the introduction or review of the Traffic Regulation Orders themselves or future transport policy.

In preparing the enforcement policy it is important that all relevant factors are taken into consideration and that the resultant policy is fit for purpose now and in the foreseeable future. The policy needs to reflect the different demands placed on the resources available for enforcement of the orders and ensure that these resources are utilised in the most effective manner. The policy also needs to take account of current and future transport policy and plans and the views of local communities particularly affected by heavy goods vehicle traffic.

At present, work in being undertaken on a new Local Transport Plan for Oxfordshire. As part of this Plan it is likely that the County Council will be developing a freight strategy and an enforcement policy for weight restriction orders will be closely linked to any such freight strategy. In addition, there are on-going discussions about the effectiveness of enforcement of some of the existing weight restriction orders in several local communities. These discussions have prompted research into alternative approaches to the enforcement of the orders in some areas. As a result, the development of the proposed enforcement policy has been delayed to ensure that it properly reflects any likely changes in the wider environment for the Trading Standards Service’s work in this area.”

Supplementary: Responding to a question on when the policy was likely to be ready Councillor Chapman replied that they were looking to finalise it at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor David Nimmo Smith

“What action is being taken following the petition he received regarding the cycle path at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45/14

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/079

Contact: Steve Smith, Highways & Transport Service Manager Tel: (01865) 810435

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA6).

Following the nationwide flooding events of 2007, the Pitt Review recommended that a single authority should be responsible for managing flood risk in local areas. This was endorsed by subsequent legislation, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, under which Oxfordshire County Council became the Lead Local Flood Authority for the County.  As part of its role as the Lead Flood Authority the council is required to produce, publish and maintain a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to state how the county council, in conjunction with other flood and water management authorities intend to work together effectively in order to manage areas identified as being at risk of flooding within the county.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for public consultation.

Following the nationwide flooding events of 2007, the Pitt Review recommended that a single authority should be responsible for managing flood risk in local areas. This was endorsed by subsequent legislation, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, under which Oxfordshire County Council became the Lead Local Flood Authority for the County. As part of its role as the Lead Flood Authority the council is required to produce, publish and maintain a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to state how the county council, in conjunction with other flood and water management authorities intend to work together effectively in order to manage areas identified as being at risk of flooding within the county.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, queried what guarantees of co-operation there were for Thames Water and what would be the consequences if there was no co-operation. Councillor Rose explained that the County Council had no powers over Thames Water. However there was much greater dialogue now and an interest in moving forward. Councillor John Sanders went on to stress the importance of communication in order to maintain the confidence of residents. He noted that there was no distinct reference to the Western Conveyance or wider investment and stated that residents downstream of Oxford would need reassurance that they would be okay. Councillor Rose replied that in terms of modelling that was done by the Environment Agency and the County took advice from them. He believed that in terms of communications the County Council was doing all it could and everybody was being kept informed.

Councillor Howson, speaking as local councillor for St Margaret’s referred to a specific problem related to the Oxford Canal which formed an impervious clay barrier from housing on one side and Port Meadow. At the time of building a series of siphons had taken drainage water under the canal. In recent times with increased development the siphons had not been able to cope leading to occasional flooding. Estate management had had to obtain a licence to pump the excess water into the canal. Without that there would be regular flooding. He asked that small schemes to resolve local issues be considered alongside the larger schemes. Councillor Rose replied that they were looking at all measures all over the County and would be looking at local problems where ever they occurred.

Councillor Hards, local councillor for Didcot West, welcomed the strategy and suggested that in relation to page 6 in relation to the geology mention should be made of the layer of clay (with flints)  that lies on top of the bedrock. This causes problems with ground water. Great Western Park was a large development and would require a major piece of sewage infrastructure under the railway. In the meantime the first houses have been attached to the pumping station which was already known to be inadequate. He referred to the problems for residents this created and asked if anything could be done. Councillor Rose noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46/14

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/073

Contact: Peter Clark, Solicitor to the Council & Monitoring Officer Tel: (01865) 323907/Hannah Farncombe, Safeguarding Manager Tel: (01865) 815273

Report by Cabinet Advisory Group for Children’s & Young People’s Safeguarding Assurance Arrangements (CA7).

The report provides some background into the work of the Safeguarding Assurance Cabinet Advisory Group and makes some recommendations to Cabinet to strengthen the current assurance arrangements. These are intended to complement and strengthen existing arrangements rather than replace or subsume them.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the recommendations of the CAG  to allow  officers to develop a delivery plan with clear timescales and ownership for implementation.

Cabinet considered a report that provided some background into the work of the Safeguarding Assurance Cabinet Advisory Group and made some recommendations to Cabinet to strengthen the current assurance arrangements.

Councillor Tilley in introducing the item commented that the recommendations were here for endorsement but were not part of any statutory plan. The Group would have one more meeting. She stressed that this was a living document.

Councillor Val Smith, Deputy Chairman of the Safeguarding Assurance Cabinet Advisory Group in introducing the contents of the report emphasised that the Group knew the difference between corporate parenting and safeguarding but felt that the Corporate Parenting Panel can be a mechanism for safeguarding. She commended that both the CAG and the Corporate Parenting Panel work in a non-party political way. The Groups concern was for the safety of young people. She detailed the recommendations contained in the report and highlighted the importance of greater information and communication to councillors including twice yearly briefings for all councillors. All councillors needed to be aware of the issue.

Peter Clark, County Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, highlighted the 14 recommendations in the report and stated that the key focus of the CAG had been to find an answer to the question: how are members assured children are safe? The CAG also looked at the effectiveness of partnership working. There had been a focus on the Corporate Parenting Panel and that was right in order to be clear about the County Council’s role and responsibilities for the care and safety of children. They had listened to the voice of the children and the report itself was the product of a lot of collaborative working. Councillor Tilley in supporting the recommendations added that children from the Children in Care Council came to every Corporate Parenting Panel. There had been a whole day meeting at Hill End where views had been listened to.

The Leader welcomed work to ensure all boards were in synch and not duplicating effort. He was pleased to hear that it was children that matter and that they were the focus.

In response to a query from Councillor Carter, Jim Leivers, Director for Children’s Services confirmed that a further report would be submitted to Cabinet on the recommendations in the report including the one relating to annual locality specific items on children’s safeguarding and corporate parenting at locality meetings.

RESOLVED:           to agree the recommendations of the Safeguarding Assurance Cabinet Advisory Group to allow officers to develop a delivery plan with clear timescales and ownership for implementation.

Cabinet Member: Policy Co-ordination

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/051

Contact: Alison Yates, Senior Policy Officer Tel: (01865) 815214

Report by Head of Policy (CA8).

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to making Oxfordshire a fair and equal place in which to live, work and visit. We want our services to effectively meet the needs of local residents. We also aim to ensure that our staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the diverse needs of customers, that our services are accessible, and to encourage supportive and cohesive communities through our service delivery.

In 2012 we launched our Equality Policy setting out how we aim to achieve this goal, as well as meet our obligations under the Equality Act 2010.  In January 2013 we published our first annual update on our progress. Both documents can be read here: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/equality-and-cohesion Good progress has been made on the objectives in 2013/14 and a second annual update is included in this report in Annex 2.

As we are two years into the four year policy, it is timely to refresh the actions against which we are measuring our progress, to ensure that we are reflecting the work of all our service areas and the priorities of the council, as set out in the latest Corporate Plan and directorate Business Strategies. These new actions are the focus of Annex 1.

Annex 3 presents some key data about the Oxfordshire population, taken from the 2011 Census and categorised by protected characteristics. It also provides information about some of the data we collate about service users and potential service users. The council is required to show it has an adequate evidence base for its decision making.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree to the new Equality Policy Action Plan for 2014/15 (Annex 1)

Cabinet considered the second annual update following the launch in 2012 of the Council’s Equality Policy. Cabinet also considered a refresh of the actions against which the County was measuring progress, to ensure that they reflect the work of all service areas and the priorities of the council, as set out in the latest Corporate Plan and directorate Business Strategies. Cabinet also received some key data about the Oxfordshire population, taken from the 2011 Census and categorised by protected characteristics. The report also provided information about some of the data collated about service users and potential service users.

Councillor Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Public Health & the Voluntary Sector, referred to the Service and Community Impact Assessments and suggested that they should be an integral part of the documentation that informs the decision making process. They had been a useful part of the budget process. It would also be useful to include Health Equity Audits. This would make the work of the Public Health directorate more visible.

Councillor Heathcoat, stated that information is available on the Council’s website and disagreed with the suggestion from Councillor Phillips feeling that it would overload the process with paper. She felt that decision making was already transparent. Councillor Phillips suggested that at the least there could be a reference in each report.

Councillor Chapman in moving the recommendation stated that the vision of the policy was very well embedded in the Council with supporting policies in place. Cabinet Members welcomed the updated policy and refreshed actions.

RESOLVED:           to agree to the new Equality Policy Action Plan for 2014/15 (Annex 1)

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/180

Contact: Sue Corrigan, Strategic HR Manager Tel: (018654) 810280

Report by Head of Human Resources (CA9).

Quarterly staffing report providing details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)                note the report; and

(b)               confirm that the Staffing Report meets the requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

Cabinet considered the quarterly staffing report that provided details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

Councillor John Christie welcomed the vacancy freeze to assist with redeployment opportunities.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)                note the report; and

(b)                confirm that the staffing report meets the requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

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 CA10. 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 for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet.

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