Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on  17 June 2014 (CA3 to be circulated separately) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2014 were approved and signed.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Melinda Tilley:

“In view of the comments in paragraph 66 of the Treasury Management Outturn for 2013/14 about the total level of revenue balances held by schools, will the Cabinet member identify those primary schools that have held more than 8% of their annual budget in reserves at the end of all of the last three financial years, in order that an explanation may be made of  what success there has been in persuading such schools to spend this money on the education of the children that currently attend the school?”

Councillor Tilley replied:

“Members will note that this matter is the subject of a paper that will be discussed at Education Scrutiny later this week, and that the Deputy Director for Education and Early Intervention will challenge the use of balances with schools identified as having consistently held excess balances.  Work is on-going to scrutinise and challenge the balances held by individual schools, where excess balances have been held consistently over a number of years. Based on this work, a number of schools will be invited to meet with the Deputy Director and discuss their proposed use of balances to support the education of pupils currently attending the school.

A list of Primary school balances is available on the web site (and attached as an annex to the minutes) for the last 4 financial years, based on DfE published schools outturn information, and including the provisional figures for 2013-14 which are still subject to audit.  

The 2013-14 original revenue funding column was compiled on a different basis from the total revenue funding used in the final outturn data published by the DfE. The 2013-14 column includes only the schools’ main budget share and does not include pupil premium or other school generated income such as lettings. The impact is to overstate the % of the revenue balance for 2013-14 compared to previous years. Further work is being done to refine these calculations for 2013-14. This will allow attention to be focussed on those schools that have consistently held excess balances where there does not appear to be an acceptable reason for holding those balances. 32 Primary schools have initially been identified as holding excess balances at the end of the last 4 years.

It may be reasonable, for example, for a school to have held balances to meet the costs of an approved scheme within the capital programme e.g furnishing a new classroom or other significant project. “

Supplementary: In response to a question from Councillor Howson querying how given the level of revenue balances Councillor Tilley justified the County Council remaining a member of the F40 Group of local authorities arguing that they were underfunded, Councillor Tilley replied that the two things were not connected

Councillor Roz Smith had given notice of the following question to Councillor Nick Carter:

“Which school capital projects, due to provide space for additional pupils in September 2014, are currently so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61/14

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

Item 6 – Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance

Item 7 – Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance

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

Item 9 – Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families;

Councillor John Howson, Local councillor

Item 10 – Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment

Item 11 – Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader in the absence of Councillor Christie as Opposition Deputy Leader;

Councillor John Howson; local councillor

Councillor Michael Waine, local councillor

Ian Jones, Secretary of the Council of Oxfordshire Teachers' Organisations (COTO);

Ms Catharine Darnton, Headteacher, Gillotts School

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/019

Contact: Lewis Gosling, Financial Manager (Trainee) – Treasury Management Tel: (01865) 323988

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA6).

The report sets out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the financial year 2013/14 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.  The report includes Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, changes in Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report, and to RECOMMEND Council to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2013/14.

Cabinet considered the report setting out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the financial year 2013/14 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice. The report included Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, changes in Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Councillor Hards speaking as Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance commented that some people found it surprising that the council has on average £349m of surplus cash alongside debt of £388m as the complexities of running a Local Authority the size of Oxfordshire were all too often underestimated. He highlighted that with growth in the county there was a need to secure infrastructure ranging from roads to broadband to schools. He  also referred to the need to develop facilities for looking after vulnerable children and make provision for adults with learning difficulties and very elderly people who can no longer look after themselves. There will always need to be capital investments with democratic accountability for the management of those investments. He referred to additional other factors that all combined to make the council’s Treasury Management a complicated exercise. He indicated that he was impressed with the skill and dedication of the staff concerned.

He highlighted a number of areas where there was a need to exercise particular caution including with credit ratings and lending to other local authorities. He asked that there be sufficient staff in the team with the skills and time to do the job properly. He further sought assurance that the County Council’s lending to other authorities is carefully scrutinised at all times and that no undue risks are involved in particular with regard to Scottish authorities in the light of the independence referendum.

Councillor Fatemian paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the team. He highlighted that the Council was living within its means with no new borrowing as referred to in paragraph 17. He added that a line had now been drawn with regard to Landsbanki with 95% of the money recovered. Councillor Fatemian thanked Councillor hards for his efforts through the year and gave an assurance that there was continual scrutiny with all lending closely monitored. Lewis Gosling explained the approach to lending to Scottish authorities.

RESOLVED:           to note the report and to RECOMMEND Council to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2013/14.

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/018

Contact: Stephanie Skivington, Corporate Finance Manager Tel: (01865) 323995

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA7).

The report focuses on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies that were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2014/15 – 2017/18.  Parts 1 and 2 include projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of May 2014.   Capital Programme monitoring and update is included at Part 3 and Part 4 sets out a change to un-ringfenced grant funding in 2014/15.  Changes to Fees and Charges are included at Part 5. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            note the report;

(b)            approve the virement requests and changes related to unringfenced grants set out in Annex 2a and Part 4;

(c)            approve the supplementary estimate request in Annex 2e;

(d)            note the Treasury Management lending list at Annex 3;

(e)            approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 8 and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 7c;

(f)             approve the contribution of £1.7m of developer contributions funding to the Cheney Academy to expand the school by an additional class in each year;

(g)            authorise the Director for Children, Education & Families and the Chief Finance Officer to enter into a funding agreement with Cheney Academy to transfer £1.7m of developer funding in stages;

(h)            approve the use of the £1.120m grant to implement the Universal Infant Free School Meal programme and the addition of the scheme to the Capital Programme;

(i)              approve the fees and charges as set out in Part 5 and Annex 9.

Cabinet had before them a report that focussed on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies that were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2014/15 – 2017/18. Parts 1 and 2 included projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of May 2014. Capital Programme monitoring and update is included at Part 3 and Part 4 sets out a change to un-ringfenced grant funding in 2014/15. Changes to Fees and Charges are included at Part 5.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance highlighted the  main problem areas: the Children, Education & Families (CEF) budget and the Social & Community Services (S&CS) budget. Although accepting that it was early in the year he doubted if all the hoped for savings would be realised and was worried that staff savings in the CEO and E&E budgets would be used to meet the targets. He expressed concern for staff and referred to a duty of care owed to all staff.

Councillor Hards highlighted one or two of the pressures on costs in CEF. Including the home to school transport; the trend in the number of independent foster agency support days. He added that the forecast overspend in the All Rights Exhausted  budget, where the achievement of a £150k saving is in doubt, might provoke complaints but he was satisfied with the explanation provided to him by Kathy Wilcox on the nature of the process and its inherent uncertainty. It might however be necessary to look for those savings elsewhere. Councillor Hudspeth agreed that that was the challenge throughout the budget process and it was a difficult thing to manage.

Cabinet Members responded to the individual points made and in particular the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care stressed that staff were valued and she appreciated the work of the staff in Adult Social Care. The Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families noted that home to school transport was expected to deliver savings. Councillor Fatemian in introducing the contents of the report thanked Councillor Hards for some of his comments and endorsed comments about the value placed on staff. He stated that it was early in the year and was showing the worst case scenario. He agreed that there wwere some underlying concerns and that it would be a challenge to see how those pressures were resolved.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            note the report;

(b)            approve the virement requests and changes related to unringfenced grants set out in Annex 2a and Part 4;

(c)            approve the supplementary estimate request in Annex 2e;

(d)            note the Treasury Management lending list at Annex 3;

(e)            approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 8 and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 7c;

(f)              approve the contribution of £1.7m of developer contributions funding to the Cheney Academy to expand the school by an additional class in each year;

(g)            authorise the Director for Children, Education & Families and the Chief Finance Officer to enter into a funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64/14

Cabinet Member: Public Health & the Voluntary Sector

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/090

Contact: Rebecca Cooper, Consultant – Public Health Tel: (018654) 328553

Report by Director of Public Health (CA8).

This is the seventh Director of Public Health Annual Report.

As well as reporting on the overall state of health and wellbeing of the county, the paper:

·       Reports on the Public Health services that the county council is now responsible for as set out in legislation.

·       Reflects on the opportunities afforded by the return of Public Health to Local Government and sketch out some of what the future may hold.

The report begins with an analysis on these opportunities.

This is followed by sections reporting on services, important issues and progress in the following chapters:

1.               The Best Start in Life

2.               Improving Quality of Life for All

3.               Reducing Inequalities in Health

4.               Infectious and Communicable Diseases

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to RECOMMEND Council to receive the report and note its recommendations.

Cabinet considered the seventh Director of Public Health Annual Report.

As well as reporting on the overall state of health and wellbeing of the county, the paper:

·        Reported on the Public Health services that the county council is now responsible for as set out in legislation.

·       Reflected on the opportunities afforded by the return of Public Health to Local Government and sketch out some of what the future may hold.

The report analysed these opportunities and included sections reporting on services, important issues and progress in the following chapters:

1.               The Best Start in Life

2.               Improving Quality of Life for All

3.               Reducing Inequalities in Health

4.               Infectious and Communicable Diseases

Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Public Health and the Voluntary Sector commented on the report. She highlighted the good news on the Thriving families programme, welcomed the innovation around trainees, the support for young carers and for moving services into the workplace and community. She would have preferred to see more outcome-based evidence in the content and noted the duplication in the introduction. She commented that there were missed opportunities in the report such as the lack of reference to smoking cessation and air quality.

Councillor Biles responded to the points made noting that the Council had worked for many years with District Councils over air quality. She stressed that this was an independent report and that the content was determined by the Director for Public Health. On smoking cessation the County Council were doing quite well and she confirmed that school nurses would be picking the issue up. In introducing the report Councillor Hibbert Biles praised the hard work of the Team and referred to the work on commissioning integrated health services which was seen as an exemplar.

Jonathan McWilliam, presented the contents of the report and thanked members for their input including consideration by the Oxfordshire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee. He highlighted the 6 challenges within the report around mental health, workplaces, smoking quitters, drugs and alcohol, uptake of health checks and working with the University Hospital Trust. He indicated that he saw opportunities in terms of reducing inequalities and the need to shape services to meet the needs of a diverse range of people.

During discussion Councillor Hudspeth noted the comments of the Oxfordshire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee set out on the addenda. Members generally welcomed the report.

RESOLVED:           to RECOMMEND Council to receive the report and note its recommendations.

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/089

Contact: Janet Johnson, Children with SEN Manager Tel: (01865) 815129

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA9).

The Children and Families Act  (March,  2014) introduces significant changes affecting children and young people, aged 0 - 25, with special educational needs (SEN)  and disabilities. These, in turn, have implications for a number of public bodies, including the Council. The principle changes which impact on the role of the Council include the requirement to publish a 'Local Offer'; the replacement of Statements of SEN with Education, Health and Care Plans; and personal budgets. The report summarises the key issues, their implications and how the Council is responding.  

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to be aware of the significant changes to SEN and disabilities and the challenges facing the Council over the coming years.

The Children and Families Act (March, 2014) introduced significant changes affecting children and young people, aged 0 - 25, with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. These, in turn, have implications for a number of public bodies, including the Council. The principle changes which impact on the role of the Council include the requirement to publish a 'Local Offer'; the replacement of Statements of SEN with Education, Health and Care Plans; and personal budgets. Cabinet considered the report that summarised the key issues, their implications and how the Council is responding.

Councillor Gill Sanders welcomed the report but expressed concern over the timetable for implementation from Government and the impact on already overburdened staff.

RESOLVED:           to be aware of the significant changes to SEN and disabilities and the challenges facing the Council over the coming years as set out in the report.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/081

Contact: Chris Kenneford, Service Manager – Planning Regulations Tel: (01865) 815615

Report by Interim Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Strategy & Infrastructure Planning (CA10).

The County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). This sets out how the Council will involve the community (consultees, stakeholders and other interested parties) in: preparing and reviewing the Minerals and Waste Local Plan; and making decisions on planning applications for minerals, waste and County Council developments. The Council must comply with its SCI in preparing the Local Plan.

The current SCI was adopted by the Council in November 2006. Since then there have been changes in legislative requirements for consultation and in the way the Council carries out consultation.     In view of these changes, a review of the adopted SCI is required. This should be undertaken now, so that an up to date SCI can be put in place before the Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Core Strategy is published and submitted to the Secretary of State for examination early in 2015.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)               agree the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement at Annex 1, subject to final detailed amendment, updating and editing, as a draft for public consultation;

(b)              authorise the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning) to:

(i)                                  carry out final detailed amendment, updating and editing of the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment;

(ii)                                publish the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation.

The County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). Cabinet considered a report that set out how the Council will involve the community (consultees, stakeholders and other interested parties) in: preparing and reviewing the Minerals and Waste Local Plan; and making decisions on planning applications for minerals, waste and County Council developments. The Council must comply with its SCI in preparing the Local Plan.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment asked what criteria was used to decide on the statutory consultees, noting that there was not a comprehensive list of Council parishes. He also queried what measures had been taken to consult the general public. Councillor Nimmo Smith replied that all 63 Councillors knew that this was happening and they should be making people aware. Peter Day added that consultation included all Parish and Town Councils in Oxfordshire and they relied on the Councils and established Action Groups to get word out.  

Following comments from Councillor Lindsay Gale it was agreed to amend paragraph 5.15 on the review of old mineral permissions to reflect that the process would be similar to that for planning permissions.

RESOLVED:           to

(a)               agree the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement at Annex 1, subject to final detailed amendment, updating and editing, including the change to paragraph 5.15, as a draft for public consultation ;

(b)               authorise the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning) to:

(i)                                  carry out final detailed amendment, updating and editing of the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment;

(ii)                                 publish the draft revised Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/074

Contact: Lorna Baxter, Chief Finance Officer Tel: (01865) 823971/Steve Munn, Chief HR Officer Tel: (01865) 815191

Report by Chief Executive (CA11).

This report provides an update and next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            agree to join the Hampshire partnership as an operational partner for the provision of back office support services with an expected go-live date of 1^st July 2015.

(b)            note that a report will be brought to Cabinet in September 2014 setting out the progress made towards a business case for a second partnership with Hampshire concerning a range of school improvement and support services.

This report provides an update and next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader, stated that the Labour Group supported the public/public partnership as proposed but that there were some issues of concern. There was a risk that people would leave in advance of externalisation and this would need to be managed. There had been a lot of hard work with trade unions to avoid major conflict around human resources such as staff relations: there was a need to ensure that people we need to continue to work sensitively with schools are based in Oxfordshire and available to schools to avoid escalation of issues.

Councillor Howson, speaking as a local councillor, welcomed paragraph 6 but queried if there was any condition on the level of buy in. He expressed concern at the transition cost and asked how the IT funding was to be spent. He was concerned about incompatibility issues between systems. He also expressed concern with regard to education improvement which he hoped would continue to be delivered within the County and that the work of Education Scrutiny would not be downgraded.

Councillor Waine, speaking as a local councillor broadly supported the proposals. He knew that all efforts were being taken to keep schools and governors informed and this was important going forward. Schools were the customers and without their buy in there would be no service. Schools would be looking for value for money, efficiency and accessibility. He queried whether work was being done to ensure the QUEST offers were a local service and requested that schools be totally involved in performance monitoring.

Ian Jones, COTO, stated that following initial fears they were heartened by the proposals. Personal contact was vital and he detailed a number of individual concerns including querying where staff direction would lie. Councillor Tilley thanked Mr Jones and other Trades Union members for their support.

Ms Darnton, speaking as a representative of the Schools Forum, noted the improvement in the proposal from the early stages. She shared concern about the reality of the partnership and the potential for the loss of control which was a key point of negotiations going forward. Named contacts were currently much valued. The change in the period for buy in from 1 year with Oxfordshire to 3 years for the partnership was a concern and could affect take up.

Councillor Rose, in moving the recommendations commented on the points made and confirmed that efforts had been made to keep all involved. The Council valued its relationship with Trades Unions and policy would remain with Oxfordshire. He noted the requests to keep various aspects local but recognised that it was not possible to keep everything in house and still achieve the savings.

Lorna Baxter added that the transition costs included the cost of aligning IT with Hampshire. Steve Munn confirmed that HR  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68/14

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/046

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services & the Governing Body (CA12).

In July 2012, Cabinet approved the proposal for St Edburg's CE (VA) Primary School in Bicester to alter its age range in order to establish a Nursery class. The alteration is linked to the future relocation and expansion of the school to a new building in the Kingsmere housing development.

The relocation of the school is delayed and so the original implementation date cannot be met and must be postponed until the school is in its new building. Under the Guidance that the original approval was given, a change of implementation date must be approved by the same Decision Maker (Cabinet). This is the reason for this report going before Cabinet.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the modification to the implementation date of the approved alteration of age range at Edburg’s CE (A) Primary School, Bicester. 

In July 2012, Cabinet approved the proposal for St Edburg's CE (VA) Primary School in Bicester to alter its age range in order to establish a Nursery class. The alteration is linked to the future relocation and expansion of the school to a new building in the Kingsmere housing development.

The relocation of the school is delayed and so the original implementation date cannot be met and must be postponed until the school is in its new building. Under the Guidance that the original approval was given, a change of implementation date must be approved by the same Decision Maker (Cabinet). Cabinet had before them a report seeking approval of the modified implementation date.

Michael Waine, speaking as a local councillor commented that he had worked with the school on the project since its inception. He was aware of the problems that had beset it and in supporting the project he asked that every effort be taken to expedite matters to ensure the school was ready for September 2015.

Councillor Tilley in moving the recommendation proposed that in future such procedural reports come to her delegated decision making meetings rather than Cabinet unless there were exceptional circumstances.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            approve the modification to the implementation date of the approved alteration of age range at Edburg’s CE (A) Primary School, Bicester; and

(b)            agree that future alteration of age ranges and similar proposals on school organisation be determined by the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families at delegated decision making sessions rather than Cabinet unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/044

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA13).

The Cabinet meeting of 4 September 2012 approved a  process for the identification of sponsors for new academies to meet the needs of population growth such as this which requires a new primary school for 2015.

This process has been followed and has now reached the point where a preferred  provider has been identified from a group of 2 short-listed bidders which were assessed against criteria.

The Cabinet is asked to agree the recommended provider which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for a final decision.    

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Cheney School Academy Trust  as the preferred provider to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for final agreement.

The Cabinet meeting of 4 September 2012 approved a process for the identification of sponsors for new academies to meet the needs of population growth such as this which requires a new primary school for 2015.

This process has been followed for a new primary school for Barton, Oxford and Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to the recommended provider which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for a final decision.

Glynis Phillips, speaking as a local councillor, supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED:           to approve the Cheney School Academy Trust  as the preferred provider to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for final agreement.

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/045

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA14).

The Cabinet meeting of 4 September 2012 approved a  process for the identification of sponsors for new academies to meet the needs of population growth such as this which requires a new primary school for 2015.

This process has been followed and has now reached the point where a preferred  provider has been identified from a group of 3 short-listed bidders which were assessed against criteria.

The agreed process is that the preferred option should  be approved either by Cabinet or by the Lead Member for Children, Education and Families.  

The Cabinet is asked to agree the preferred provider which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for a final decision.  

In addition the Cabinet is asked to consider whether similar decisions on further schools should be made by the Lead Member unless there are exceptional circumstances.  

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree

(a)      The White Horse Federation as the recommended provider to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for final agreement;

(b)      The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree that in future the preferred provider for a new school should be approved by Lead Member for Children, Education and Families rather than Cabinet, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The Cabinet meeting of 4 September 2012 approved a process for the identification of sponsors for new academies to meet the needs of population growth such as this which requires a new primary school for 2015.

This process has been followed and Cabinet considered a report seeking approval of the preferred provider which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for a final decision.

In addition the Cabinet was asked to consider whether similar decisions on further schools should be made by the Lead Cabinet Member unless there are exceptional circumstances. Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families supported the proposals but felt that it would be better if similar recommendations came to Cabinet for transparency to allow councillors to be involved  thus strengthening the recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education. The Leader clarified that the cabinet Member would take such decisions at her delegated decision making sessions which were public meetings.

RESOLVED:           to agree

(a)      the White Horse Federation as the recommended provider to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education for final agreement; and

(b)      that in future the preferred provider for a new school should be approved by the Lead Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children, Education & Families in a delegated decision meeting rather than Cabinet, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/020

Contact: Maggie Scott, Head of Policy Tel: (01865) 816081

Report by Head of Policy (CA15).

This paper provides details of performance for quarter four for the Cabinet to consider. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note and discuss the performance reported in the dashboards.

Cabinet had before them a report that provided details of performance for quarter four for the Cabinet to consider. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of the Performance Scrutiny Committee informed Cabinet of the approach The Performance Scrutiny Committee had taken and noted that it was for them to work effectively to focus in depth on particular performance indicators. At the last meeting they had looked at adult social care and she thanked Councillor Heathcoat and John Jackson, Director for Social & Community Services for their attendance. They had also looked at Children, Education & Families and in particular had focussed on NEETs.

Following discussion:

RESOLVED:           to note the performance reported in the dashboards.

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 CA16.  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.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/021

Contact: Sue Whitehead, Principal Committee Officer Tel: (01865) 810262

RESOLVED:           to note the following executive decisions taken by the Chief Executive under the specific powers and functions delegated to her under the terms of Part 7.3 of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 6.3.1(A)(c)(i).

Item 19

In the event that any Member or Officer wishes to discuss the information set out in the Annex to Item 19, the Cabinet will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of that Annex by passing a resolution in relation to that item in the following terms:

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

NOTE: The report does not contain exempt information and is available to the public. The exempt information is contained in the confidential annex.

THE ANNEX TO THE ITEM NAMED HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ BY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THEM.

THIS IS FOR REASONS OF COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITY.

THIS ALSO MEANS THAT THE CONTENTS SHOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED WITH OTHERS AND NO COPIES SHOULD BE MADE.

RESOLVED:           that the public be excluded during the consideration of the Annex to Item 19 since it is likely that if they were present during that discussion there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below the item in the Agenda.

Cabinet Members: Business & Customer Services and Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/092

Contact: Trevor Askew, Service Manager – Property & Procurement Tel: (01865) 323678

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA19).

The information contained in the annex 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)

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that where a tender or bidding process is in progress disclosure would distort the proper process of open competition and would prejudice the position of the authority in the process of the transaction and the Council’s standing generally in relation to such transactions in future, to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority.

As a consequence of a new 3,300 unit housing development at Great Western Park, Didcot, there is an immediate need to provide a 420 pupil Primary school within the development for September 2015. Outline Planning consent has been gained for the overall development (housing and schools etc.) by the developer; associated with which is a S106 agreement securing land and contributions towards various infrastructure, including the proposed primary school. Work to complete this new school project commenced in June 2013. The Scheme has now been developed sufficiently to pass its first Capital Governance stage, which provides a recommendation for the budget for the scheme, results of the feasibility report, details current risks and the recommended school design to be submitted for planning. The scheme is currently being developed further to enable detailed design to be completed in order to enable construction to start in October 2014, with completion in time to enable pupils to begin school in September 2015.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            endorse the progress to date

(b)            delegate to the Chief Finance Officer and Director for Environment & Economy in consultation with the Leader the authority to approve the Stage 2 Full Business Case and the award of the construction contract.

The information contained in the annex to the report 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)

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that where a tender or bidding process is in progress disclosure would distort the proper process of open competition and would prejudice the position of the authority in the process of the transaction and the Council’s standing generally in relation to such transactions in future, to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority.

As a consequence of a new 3,300 unit housing development at Great Western Park, Didcot, there is an immediate need to provide a 420 pupil Primary school within the development for September 2015. Outline Planning consent has been gained for the overall development (housing and schools etc.) by the developer; associated with which is a S106 agreement securing land and contributions towards various infrastructure, including the proposed primary school. Work to complete this new school project commenced in June 2013 and the Cabinet considered a report setting out actions so far and the planned approach to enable detailed design to be completed in order to enable construction to start in October 2014, with completion in time to enable pupils to begin school in September 2015.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            endorse the progress to date

(b)            delegate to the Chief Finance Officer and Director for Environment & Economy in consultation with the Leader and the local councillor the authority to approve the Stage 2 Full Business Case and the award of the construction contract.