Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2016 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2016 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

“Will the Cabinet Member join with me in welcoming the government’s –U- turn in abandoning plans to scrap the role of parent governor. These volunteers play a vital role in the life of many schools and we should be encouraging more of them not replacing them with faceless unelected governors of Multi-Academy Trusts often located miles from the school.”

Councillor Tilley replied:

“I wholeheartedly agree with Councillor Howson, such good news.”

Supplementary: Further Councillor Tilley agreed with Councillor Howson that it was not a good idea that Trustees of Multi-Academy Trusts receive salaries.

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

Item 6 – Councillor John Howson, local councillor for St Margaret’s;

Councillor John Christie, Shadow Cabinet Member for Local Government, Business, ICT & Customer Services

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee

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

Item 8 – Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families

Item 9 – Dr Pam Roberts, Need Not Greed

Item 10 – Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

Item 11 – Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader

Cabinet Member: Leader and Local Government, ICT, Business & Customer Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/091

Contact: John Courouble, Research Intelligence Manager, Tel: 07968 242072

Report by County Director (CA6).

In early May Oxfordshire County Council appointed Grant Thornton UK LLP to consider how local government could be reorganised to reduce costs, improve service outcomes, support economic growth, enhance local engagement and empowerment, and provide strong and accountable leadership.

This followed the appointment of PwC to conduct a review commissioned by Oxford City Council on behalf of Oxfordshire's Districts into proposals launched by District Leaders in February to restructure local government in Oxfordshire.

This paper enables Cabinet to consider the outcome of the two reports, and inform consideration of the next steps in response to them.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to consider the proposals set out in the PwC and GT reports, together with any comments or recommendations following Performance Scrutiny Committee on the 13 Sept, with a view to taking forward the most appropriate proposal for Oxfordshire. 

In early May Oxfordshire County Council appointed Grant Thornton UK LLP to consider how local government could be reorganised to reduce costs, improve service outcomes, support economic growth, enhance local engagement and empowerment, and provide strong and accountable leadership.

This followed the appointment of PwC to conduct a review commissioned by Oxford City Council on behalf of Oxfordshire's Districts into proposals launched by District Leaders in February to restructure local government in Oxfordshire.

Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of the two reports. Cabinet also had before it a supplementary report that included the outcomes of consideration of the two reports by the Performance Scrutiny Committee on 13 September 2016.

Councillor John Howson, local council for St Margaret’s, referred to the earlier report by Ernst & Young that had identified savings and he commented that had action been taken then, then savings could have been made sooner. He reflected on the 2016/17 budget process and the context of the two current reports. He believed that efforts should be made to make progress as speedily as possible. There was support from town and parish councils for a unitary council with greater local democracy. Oxford City needed the greatest political freedom possible.

Councillor John Christie, Shadow Cabinet Member for Local Government, Business, ICT & Customer Services strongly supported the recommendations contained in the supplementary report. The Labour Group welcomed the publication of the two reports. He commented that both reports argued that the status quo would not deliver the best services and that change was needed. He noted that a single unitary delivered the biggest savings and that any other solution would continue the confusing two tier system and weak decision making. He welcomed the robust delegation to localities. He expressed displeasure at the District Council press release attacking the County Council’s budget management. In calling on all councils to work together he called on district councils to work with the County Council in putting residents first.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman, Performance Scrutiny Committee, commended the way in which the process was being managed with stakeholder engagement and an opportunity for scrutiny before Cabinet consideration. She detailed the process followed at Performance Scrutiny Committee where all councillors had been invited and had had the opportunity to put a question or speak at the meeting. She noted that PwC had not attended but their report was available. There had been concern during the Performance Scrutiny Committee that even as the meeting went on the District Councils had released a press release. The Committee had considered the reports at length and the conclusions and recommendation were in the papers before Cabinet today. She hoped that there would be serious consideration of the services for the people of Oxfordshire and that this would be at the heart of any decision. She noted that with the Ernst & Young report there were three reports from three of the most renowned companies in the local government field all saying the same thing and it would be foolish to ignore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74/16

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/040

Contact: Katy Jurczyszyn, Strategic Finance Manager (Finance, Strategy & Monitoring) Tel: 07584 909518

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA7).

This report is the first in the series on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2017/18 which will culminate in Council setting a budget for 2017/18 in February 2017. This initial report sets the context and the starting point for the process. It sets out:

•                  the assumptions on which the existing Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) is based,

•                  known and potential financial issues for 2017/18 and beyond which impact on the existing MTFP, and

•         a proposed process for Service & Resource Planning for 2017/18 including a timetable of events.

The report follows on from the report presented to Cabinet in July 2016, ‘Revised Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 - 2019/20’.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)                note the report;

(b)               approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2017/18; and

(c)            approve a four year period for the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme to 2020/21.

Cabinet considered the first in the series on the Service & Resource Planning process for 2017/18 which will culminate in Council setting a budget for 2017/18 in February 2017. This initial report set the context and the starting point for the process including:

·                     the assumptions on which the existing Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) is based,

·                     known and potential financial issues for 2017/18 and beyond which impact on the existing MTFP, and

·                     a proposed process for Service & Resource Planning for 2017/18 including a timetable of events.

Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, referred to the summary at the beginning of the report highlighting the savings that had been identified but remained to be delivered and those savings yet to be determined. He hoped that if government were to introduce further savings that this information would be flagged up in the Autumn Statement, avoiding the problems, not of the Council’s making, that there had been in the current financial year budget process. He looked forward to hearing of the proposals from the Director of Transformation and highlighted areas that continued to be a challenge.

Cabinet members responded to the points raised.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)             note the report;

(b)             approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2017/18; and

(c)             approve a four year period for the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme to 2020/21.

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/077

Contact: Sarah Jelley, Senior Policy & Performance Officer Tel: 07554 103437

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA8).

In February 2016 the council agreed to set aside £1m for creating a ‘one off’ fund to provide pump priming to support Children’s Centres.  It was agreed that a cross party group of county councillors would consider maximum benefit of this fund and bring proposals back to cabinet for decision.

The working group considered approaches and options and proposed the attached guidance notes and grant application form.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Grant Guidance and Grant Application as set out in Annexes 2 and 3.

In February 2016 the council agreed to set aside £1m for creating a ‘one off’ fund to provide pump priming to support Children’s Centres.  It was agreed that a cross party group of county councillors would consider maximum benefit of this fund and bring proposals back to Cabinet for decision. Cabinet considered a report setting out the outcomes of the working group including proposed guidance notes and grant application form.

Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families commented that whilst the Labour Group welcomed the additional £1m it was important to ensure that it was spent on services for the most vulnerable and children most in need. In supporting the recommendations she stressed that the project board must include people with experience of children’s centres and early intervention. It was important that Cabinet be kept informed and she suggested that a future report include information on town and parish councils who have assisted. She referred to the tight deadlines for receipt of applications.

Councillor Lawrie Stratford in moving the recommendations indicated that he took on board the concerns and commented that the meeting at the Kassam Stadium had been well attended and had provided an opportunity for learning and exchange of information. The intention was to keep local people informed of successful projects and some money would be kept back for a second round of applications. Councillor Hudspeth added that the final decisions on the bids would be taken by Cabinet.

RESOLVED:             to approve the Grant Guidance and Grant Application as set out in Annexes 2 and 3.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/085

Contact: Robin Rogers, Spatial Infrastructure Planning Resources Manager Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Acting Director for Environment & Economy (CA9).

In 2013, central government required Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop multi-year Strategic Economic Plans (SEP).

Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, OxLEP, published its SEP Driving Economic Growth Through Innovation in March 2014.

In order to reflect progress in delivering the objectives of the original SEP and the development of associated detailed plans, address changes in the purpose of the plan and align better with changing economic circumstances, OxLEP have undertaken a SEP “refresh”.

OxLEP have also sought to generate wider engagement with the development of the refreshed SEP than was possible in 2014/15 due to the tight timetable set by central government.

Following a series of development workshops, OxLEP published a draft plan in April 2016 for public and stakeholder consultation. OxLEP have now published a revised draft for formal consideration by Oxfordshire’s local authorities, the Skills Board, the Growth Board and final decision making by the Local Enterprise Partnership itself.

This report introduces the refreshed SEP for comment and invites Cabinet to endorse the document ahead of final agreement by OxLEP.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to endorse the revised SEP as set out in Appendix 1.

In 2013, central government required Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop multi-year Strategic Economic Plans (SEP) and Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, OxLEP, published its SEP Driving Economic Growth Through Innovation in March 2014.

In order to reflect progress in delivering the objectives of the original SEP and the development of associated detailed plans, address changes in the purpose of the plan and align better with changing economic circumstances, OxLEP have undertaken a SEP “refresh”.

Cabinet had before them a report that introduced the refreshed SEP for comment and invited Cabinet to endorse the document ahead of final agreement by OxLEP. Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP attended to present the contents of the draft SEP.

Dr Pam Roberts, Need Not Greed Oxen, stated that Oxfordshire Local Authorities should take full responsibility for the overall growth figures in the revised SEP 2016. Need not Greed were deeply concerned at the ‘pass-the-parcel’ game being played by OxLEP and the District and County Councils, with each blaming the other for the targets set for employment and housing.

They believed the Plan set very damaging and unrealistic growth targets which would radically change Oxfordshire’s communities and environment. Dr Roberts highlighted figures on jobs, housing and population growth and called on the Cabinet to speak out against OxLEP’s Strategic Economic Plan. Need not Greed Oxon wanted to see an alternative approach to growth in the county with a review taking into account Brexit, social and environmental constraints, a re-consideration of priorities for action and with genuine public consultation.

Following a presentation by Nigel Tipple setting out the background to the need for a refresh of the Plan and highlighting the main elements of the plan, Cabinet supported the refreshed SEP. However they recognised that the challenge was to create appropriate jobs and they hoped to see more done to support apprenticeships. Cabinet recognised that there had been a great deal of inward investment from the original plan with projects being completed on the ground. Councillor Nimmo Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment in moving the recommendation emphasised that rural areas were part of the LEP and highlighted the numerous small businesses supporting Science Vale.

RESOLVED:             to endorse the revised SEP as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/042

Contact: Andrew Colling, Lead for Quality & Contracts (Joint Commissioning) Tel: (01865) 323682

Report by Deputy Director – Joint Commissioning (CA10).

The National Living Wage came into force in April 2016 and the first premium was set at £0.50 per hour bringing the total National Living Wage to a level of £7.20 per hour.  The premium is over and above the National Minimum Wage which remains in place for those workers between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age.

In November 2015 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the outcome of the Spending Review. This included provision for increased income generation through an additional council tax precept for the purpose of supporting adult social care costs including the National Living Wage. The Department for Communities and Local Government subsequently noted that this was also in recognition of demographic changes which are leading to growing demand for adult social care, which is increasing pressure on council budgets.

In February 2016 the county council approved an additional 2.0% council tax precept for 2016/17. This generated £5.883m to support the costs of adult social care in Oxfordshire, including the impact of the implementation of the National Living Wage from 1 April 2016.  In addition a further £0.600m was agreed to be added to the budget to support the impact of the National Living Wage on the cost of sleep-in care. This supports service users, primarily with learning disabilities, through the night - time period.

Some of the Adult Social Care Precept has already been used to reflect the direct impact of the National Living Wage and other agreed cost pressures on providers in 2016/17.  Through those decisions £0.857m of the £5.883m has already been committed leaving  £5.026m to allocate.

The impact of the National Living Wage is not known either nationally or locally. In view of this the council asked officers to undertake further work in this area to establish its impact. 

This report describes our subsequent discussion with care providers and the consultation exercise we have taken on the use of the funding available. It concludes with recommendations about how the £5.026m should be used within Adult Social Care and notes the availability of the £0.600m funding to support sleep - in care.

Considering the evidence received in conjunction with the pressures already apparent in 2016/17, Cabinet are RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       agree that the assumed hourly rate for home support workers funded through the council’s home support model should be increased from £7.20 per hour to the Skills for Care rate for Oxfordshire of £8.59 per hour.  £1.062m of the Adult Social Care Precept should be added the council’s contribution to the Older People’s Pooled Budget to fund the cost of additional payments to home support providers resulting from the increase to the hourly rate.

(b)       agree that £0.964m of the Adult Social Care Precept should be held as a contingency to support specific in-year pressures raised by providers  ...  view the full agenda text for item 78/16

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/041

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

Report by Chief Human Resources Officer (CA11).

This report gives an update on staffing numbers and related activity during the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.  It gives details of the actual staffing numbers at 31 March 2016 in terms of Full Time Equivalents.  These are shown by directorate in Appendix 1. In addition, the report provides information on the cost of posts being covered by agency staff. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

Cabinet received a report that gave an update on staffing numbers and related activity during the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.  It gave details of the actual staffing numbers at 31 March 2016 in terms of Full Time Equivalents.  In addition, the report provided information on the cost of posts being covered by agency staff. 

Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader connected the story of our staffing as set out in the report with the debate on the future of local government in Oxfordshire. The Council had lost staff in areas under pressure. Councillor Price believed in a single unitary authority but there was a need to keep a firm eye on the knowledge and experience of our workforce. Councillor Rose, Deputy Leader, responding to a question from Councillor Price confirmed that more detailed information on agency staff was available through the IBC system.

RESOLVED:        to note the report.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/075

Contact: Sue Whitehead, Principal Committee Officer, Tel: 07393 001213

Report by Chief Legal Officer (CA12).

To consider member appointments to a variety of bodies which in different ways support the discharge of the Council’s Executive functions.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the appointments as set out in the Annex to this report, subject to any changes reported in any amended schedule and at the meeting.

Cabinet considered member appointments to a variety of bodies which in different ways support the discharge of the Council’s Executive functions.

RESOLVED:           to agree the appointments as set out in the Annex to this report, together with the following additional appointments:

Thames Valley Fire Control Joint Committee – Councillors Heathcoat and Rose

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 CA14.  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 together with changes and additions notified at the meeting.

RESOLVED:           to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings, together with the following additional change:

Electrification Programme Update - Steventon Proposals including Compulsory Purchase Order

Item moved from October to November Cabinet.