Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were submitted from Councillor Judith Heathcoat and Councillor Mark Gray.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2019  (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

No questions were submitted.

The Chairman had agreed the following requests to address Cabinet:

In the event that any Member or Officer wishes to discuss the information set out in Annexes to Item 7, the Cabinet will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of those Annexes by passing a resolution in relation to that item in the following terms:

"that the public be excluded during the consideration of the Annexes 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 annexes.

THE ANNEXES TO THE ITEM NAMED HAVE 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.

The following item was discussed in public.

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/122

Contact: Aron Wisdom – Major Projects Development Lead Tel: 07776 244856

Report by Assistant Director – Planning & Place (CA7).

The information contained in the 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);

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 disclosure would undermine the process to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority.

Oxfordshire County Council has been successful in securing £218m of funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid for four highway projects within the Didcot Garden Town area. Officers have negotiated a draft Heads of Terms which forms the basis of contract negotiations that, subject to satisfying pre-contract conditions, will release funding to Oxfordshire County Council. Officers are requesting approval to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, to conclude negotiations and approve the grant determination agreement (contract). Cabinet is also requested to approve the inclusion of all four projects into the Capital Programme with governance at appropriate board/programme level.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)          Subject to the confirmation from Homes England that the contract pre-conditions relating to South Oxfordshire District Council’s Local Plan have been met, authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Environment to:

(i)      approve any final detailed amendments of the drafted Heads of Terms.

(ii)     approve the grant determination agreement.

(b)          Subject to the satisfactory completion of recommendation (i.) approve the inclusion of all four projects into the Capital Programme and report the governance of these projects at a HIF1 programme level with an overall budget provision of £234m subject to the implementation of the grant determination agreement with Homes England.

(c)          Note the draft Heads of Terms which form the basis for grant determination agreement between Homes England and Oxfordshire County Council for Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund Grant Award.

(d)          Note the Assurance Framework which sets out the background to the Housing Infrastructure Funding process and establishes the approach to reporting and monitoring implementation

The information contained in the 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);

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 disclosure would undermine the process to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority.

Oxfordshire County Council had been successful in securing £218m of funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid for four highway projects within the Didcot Garden Town area. Officers had negotiated a draft Heads of Terms which formed the basis of contract negotiations that, subject to satisfying pre-contract conditions, will release funding to Oxfordshire County Council. Cabinet considered a report seeking to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member  for Environment, to conclude negotiations and approve the contract. Cabinet was also requested to approve the inclusion of all four projects into the Capital Programme with governance at appropriate board/programme level.

District Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, spoke in support of the recommendations to progress with the Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund Bid. Councillor Smith stated that it was in the best interests of the Vale to ensure that the HIF projects go ahead; to protect the Vale district from speculative development and to ensure the infrastructure is in place for local businesses to grow and new businesses to set up within the Science Vale area. Vale had adopted Part 2 of the Local Plan in part because of the threat to the 5 Year Housing Land Supply. If the HIF road and cycle infrastructure projects were cancelled, one of the largest housing sites allocated in part 1 of the Vale’s Local Plan may not be able to go ahead. Vale could lose its housing land supply instantly and be at risk of development by appeal. Councillor Smith added that she had written to government setting out the the nationally significant industries in southern Oxfordshire that would be held back without the HIF funding research and development businesses looking to relocate to the Vale’s two Enterprise Zones, the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Culham Science Centre.

Councillor Smith referred to the uncertainty about the South Oxfordshire Local Plan and the implications this might have. However, the infrastructure was needed, and she asked the County Council to work with her, to do everything possible to ensure the HIF schemes are funded and go ahead. She asked that the two councils continue to work together, and with South Oxfordshire, to ensure government has the assurances it needs to release this funding as soon as possible.

Responding Cabinet Members welcomed Councillor Smith’s support and gave their strong commitment to continued partnership working.

Councillor Robin Bennett, Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96/19

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/167

Contact: Eric Owens, Assistant Director, Growth & Place Tel: 07799 097637

Reports by Director for Planning & Place (CA8(a) and 8(b)).

To seek approval for delegated authority for signing the HIPmv agreements to Director of Planning & Place in consultation with the Leader.

Cabinet considered two reports relating to successful bids by Cherwell District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council respectively for Government Marginal Viability Housing Infrastructure Fund (MVHIF) money.

1       The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to the confirmation of Cherwell District Council’s willingness to enter into a legal agreement for the recovery of funding, to authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

(a)     approve any final detailed amendments of the drafted Funding Agreement.

(b)    approve the Funding Agreement.

2.      Subject to 1, authorise delegation for the approval of the Implementation, Property, Maintenance and Access Agreements for the delivery of the rail bridges to the Director for Planning & Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council.  

3.         Subject to 1, agree the inclusion of the funding of £6.7m into the Capital Programme for this project subject to the implementation of the funding agreement.

RESOLVED:

1.         subject to the confirmation of Cherwell District Council’s willingness to enter into a legal agreement for the recovery of funding, to authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

(a)     approve any final detailed amendments of the drafted Funding Agreement.

(b)     approve the Funding Agreement.

2.      subject to 1 above, authorise delegation for the approval of the Implementation, Property, Maintenance and Access Agreements for the delivery of the rail bridges to the Director for Planning & Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council.  

3.         Subject to 1 above, agree the inclusion of the funding of £6.7m into the Capital Programme for this project subject to the implementation of the funding agreement.

1. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED subject to the confirmation of Vale of White Horse District Council’s nomination that Oxfordshire County Council act as receiving and accountable body for the Housing Infrastructure Funding Marginal Viability and, authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

(a)      approve any final detailed amendments to the draft Funding Agreement.

(b)      approve and sign the Funding Agreement between Homes England and Oxfordshire County Council for HIF Funding Marginal Viability – Wantage Eastern Link Road.

2. Subject to 1, agree the inclusion of the funding of £1.951m into the Capital Programme for this project subject to the implementation of the funding agreement.

RESOLVED:

1.          subject to the confirmation of Vale of White Horse District Council’s nomination that Oxfordshire County Council act as receiving and accountable body for the Housing Infrastructure Funding Marginal Viability and, authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

(a)      approve any final detailed amendments to the draft Funding Agreement.

(b)      approve and sign the Funding Agreement between Homes England and Oxfordshire County Council for HIF Funding Marginal Viability – Wantage Eastern Link Road.

2.          Subject to 1 above, agree the inclusion of the funding of £1.951m into the Capital Programme for this project subject to the implementation of the funding agreement.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/103

Contact: Robin Rogers, Strategy Manager Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Corporate Director Customer & Organisational Development (CA9).

During March 2019, the Council commissioned the Local Government Association (LGA) to carry out a Corporate Peer Challenge.

The feedback report from the LGA was received in July 2019. It was reported to the Performance Scrutiny Committee for comment in September. Cabinet is now asked to consider the report, accept the recommendations made, and agree that these should be incorporated into the council’s business planning. 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)        Consider the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report (Annex 1)

(b)        Accept the recommendations set out within the report

(c)        Agree the proposals set out at paragraph 17 for incorporating the report’s recommendations into corporate, business and transformation planning

During March 2019, the Council commissioned the Local Government Association (LGA) to carry out a Corporate Peer Challenge.

Cabinet had before it the feedback report from the LGA following consideration at the Performance Scrutiny Committee in September.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee, shared the main focus of the Committee during its consideration:

·         The Committee had considered the question of localities and how to make them work better. They had no specific advice except to involve localities in the discussion.

·         Councillor Brighouse thanked officers for including the information on actions taken and planned in response to the recommendations requested by the Committee. She highlighted the role of local councillors and stated that being able to have a wider input from councillors did give a better base for decision making.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)        consider the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report (Annex 1)

(b)        accept the recommendations set out within the report

(c)        agree the proposals set out at paragraph 17 for incorporating the report’s recommendations into corporate, business and transformation planning.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/121

Contact: James Gagg, OxCam Corridor Co-ordinator Tel: 07776 997303

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA10).

This report gives an update on development of a Transport Strategy for England's Economic Heartland (EEH), and specifically seeks Cabinet endorsement to the County Council consultation response to the Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document.

The Outline Transport Strategy document marks the start of the process for development of a transport strategy for the EEH area, and includes a proposed vision, as well as chapters setting out proposed priority areas for improvements to connectivity. It is considered important as a core EEH partner that the County Council both responds to the current engagement exercise and continues to influence and input to development of the full transport strategy for the EEH area as it develops.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to;

(a)          endorse the County Council response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document as included in Appendix 1, and;

(b)          ask officers to continue to engage positively in development of the Transport Strategy, reporting back on progress to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet where relevant.

Cabinet considered a report that gave an update on development of a Transport Strategy for England's Economic Heartland (EEH) and provided a draft response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment in welcoming the useful report that highlighted connectivity indicated that there were huge transport challenges. He supported the endorsement of the rail link in paragraph 8 and on page 104 but was unable to support reference to the OxCam Expressway which he felt should be left out.

During discussion Councillor Bartholomew referred to an omission in the report. The report did not refer to the proposed road bridge crossing the Thames at Reading. If it went ahead it would have a massive impact on the area. In the officer report there was no mention of the motion agreed at Council in September that representations be made that should a new bridge be built it should be restricted to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians. The motion also argued that mitigation be considered alongside the scheme at the same time. Councillor Bartholomew proposed an amendment to include these concerns in the response.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)        endorse the County Council response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document as included in Appendix 1 subject to amendment to refer to the concerns regarding the third Thames crossing as detailed in the Council motion agreed at the meeting on 10 September 2019; and

(b)        ask officers to continue to engage positively in development of the Transport Strategy, reporting back on progress to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet where relevant.

.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/102

Contact: Kevin Broughton, Principal Minerals Officer, Tel: 07979 704458

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA11).

The Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy was adopted by the Council on 12 September 2017. The Core Strategy states that Part 2 of the Plan – Site Allocations will be prepared after the Core Strategy. A programme for the Site Allocations Plan is set out in the latest (ninth) revision of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme which was approved by the Cabinet on 22 January 2019. The target date for adoption of the Site Allocations Plan is November 2020.

Following public consultation on site options (Issues and Options consultation document), took place from 8 August to 3 October 2018, we appointed consultants Adams Hendry to undertake informed site assessments of all the nominated sites.

In regards the nominated waste site assessments, Adams Hendry drew conclusions and made a number of recommendations from which we have drawn the reasonable alternatives.      In the case of the minerals sites, the assessments by Adams Hendry reached conclusions on each of the sites but did not undertake the comparisons and the recommendations as to which sites should be allocated in the Sites Plan.

Officers have now concluded the reasonable alternatives and the preferred options for the mineral sites. A summary of these findings with officer comments, are contained within Annex 1 and 2 of this report. The OCC officer comments are to be read as a whole in reaching a judgement as to the suitability for allocation.  The views of The Minerals and Waste Cabinet Advisory Group (CAG) have also informed this report.

The next stage of the Plan preparation is consultation on the preferred sites and the reasonable alternatives. This report sets out the preferred sites and the other reasonable alternatives to form part of the draft minerals and waste local plan for further publlic consultation.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the inclusion of the preferred sites in the draft plan for consultation, and to delegate the final approval of the draft Plan for consultation to the Director of Planning & Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment. 

Sharp Sand and Gravel

SG20b – Land between Eynsham and Cassington

SG42 – Nuneham Courtenay

Crushed Rock and Soft Sand

SS12 & CR12 – Land at Chinham Farm (Chinham Hill)

SS18 & CR22 – Hatford West Extension

Waste Sites

011 – Finmere Quarry, Finmere

026 – Whitehill Quarry, Burford

103 – Lakeside Industrial Estate, Standlake

229 – Shellingford Quarry, Shellingford / Stanford in the Vale

249B – High Cogges Farm, Witney

274 – Moorend Lane Farm, Thame

279 – Rear of Ford Dealership, Ryecote Lane

287 – Ardley Fields, Ardley

289 – Overthorpe Industrial Estate, Banbury”

The Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy was adopted by the Council on 12 September 2017. The Core Strategy states that Part 2 of the Plan – Site Allocations will be prepared after the Core Strategy. A programme for the Site Allocations Plan is set out in the latest (ninth) revision of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme which was approved by the Cabinet on 22 January 2019. The target date for adoption of the Site Allocations Plan is November 2020.

Following public consultation on site options and site assessments of all the nominated sites Cabinet considered a report that set out the preferred sites and the other reasonable alternatives to form part of the draft minerals and waste local plan for further public consultation.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment expressed concern over the programme scheduling and hoped that it would be possible to get Part 2 adopted.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the contents of the report and moved the recommendations.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale was pleased that this point had been reached. She noted that one of the sites was in her Division but that it would not threaten local communities if access and routing agreements were sufficiently robust.

RESOLVED:             to approve the inclusion of the preferred sites in the draft plan for consultation, and to delegate the final approval of the draft Plan for consultation to the Director of Planning & Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment. 

Sharp Sand and Gravel

SG20b – Land between Eynsham and Cassington

SG42 – Nuneham Courtenay

Crushed Rock and Soft Sand

SS12 & CR12 – Land at Chinham Farm (Chinham Hill)

SS18 & CR22 – Hatford West Extension

Waste Sites

011 – Finmere Quarry, Finmere

026 – Whitehill Quarry, Burford

103 – Lakeside Industrial Estate, Standlake

229 – Shellingford Quarry, Shellingford / Stanford in the Vale

249B – High Cogges Farm, Witney

274 – Moorend Lane Farm, Thame

279 – Rear of Ford Dealership, Ryecote Lane

287 – Ardley Fields, Ardley

289 – Overthorpe Industrial Estate, Banbury”

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care & Public Health

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/142

Contact: Stephen Chandler, Corporate Director for Adult Services Tel: 07768 000707

Report by Corporate Director for Adult Services (CA12).

The report is for information and discussion. It provides a description of how the future Integrated Care System (ICS), which will cover Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West, will work. It highlights some of the potential benefits to being part of an ICS with examples of success from other areas.

It also provides a summary of the progress that has been made within Oxfordshire and the timelines associated with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care System Long Term Plan submission.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note and discuss the information contained within this report.

Cabinet considered a report that gave a description of how the future Integrated Care System (ICS), which will cover Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West, will work. It highlighted some of the potential benefits to being part of an ICS with examples of success from other areas.

The report provided a summary of the progress that had been made within Oxfordshire and the timelines associated with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care System Long Term Plan submission.

Veronica Treacher, Oxon Keep Our NHS Public, expressed concern at the latest structural changes. There was reason for concern with a single CCG to procure for a large number of people. Ms Treacher referred to the current proposals as the end of a series of reorganisations that had the effect of denationalising the NHS. Ms Treacher queried where democratic oversight was provided.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee stated that there had been lengthy discussion at the Committee, to which members of . Many of the questions being raised were not yet answerable. The situation was moving quickly and there was some concern that it might not meet the requirements for our own staff, residents and to address health inequalities. There was concern that it was not clear how the preventative agenda would be addressed. The Committee had been shocked to learn that senior appointments had been made of which they were unaware and they strongly recommended engaging with local councillors. The Committee had been concerned about democratic accountability with concern over the governance and scrutiny arrangements. The biggest concern had been around pooled budget arrangements. The Committee had queried whether there had been public consultation on the proposal to have a single large commissioning group by 2021 and believed that it was vital to understand the impact on pooled budgets.

Councillor Stratford moved the recommendation commenting that he shared some of the concerns raised by Councillor Brighouse. He welcomed the partnership approach and the opportunities provided but only if it resulted in better outcomes for residents. Oxfordshire was in a better place than many others with key decision makers already round the table and with a long history of collaboration. He was concerned at the lack of reference to prevention and stressed that a lot more had to be done to keep people out of hospital and GP surgeries. Governance too was a concern. Having said that this was the start of a process and he welcomed the involvement the scrutiny committees and HealthWatch. He was supportive of the process although understanding the concerns of the public and communication was key.

Stephen Chandler, Director of Adult Services thanked

Following discussion, it was:

RESOLVED:             to note the information contained within the report.

Cabinet Members: Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/074

Contact: Steven Fairhurst Jones, Corporate Performance & Risk Manager Tel: 07392 318891/Ian Dyson, Assistant Director of Finance Tel: 07393 001250

Report by Corporate Director Customers & Organisational Development and Director of Finance (CA13).

This report sets out Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) progress towards

Corporate Plan priorities and provides an update on the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan at the end of August 2019.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a) note the contents of this report;

(b) approve the virements set out in Annex B – 2a and note the virements

set out in Annex B – 2b;

(c) Approve the supplementary estimate set out in Annex B – 2e.

Cabinet noted a report that set out Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) progress towards Corporate Plan priorities and provided an update on the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Plan at the end of August 2019.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance commented that there were no significant changes from previous reports. Referring to two indicators causing ongoing concern (Delayed Discharges of Care and the timeliness of Education and Health Care Plans) she noted that both were subject to Action Plans and queried when improvement was expected. Referring to the amber indicators Councillor Phillips suggested that more attention be paid to such indicators to highlight when they had turned from green to amber. Councillor Phillips added that the updating of the Corporate Plan was an opportunity to revisit all the indicators. She valued the work undertaken and the improved presentation. She welcomed the future inclusion of the risk register and hoped that it would be in a readable format.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of the Council responded to the points made. He would reply directly to her once he had an expected date for improvement to the delayed discharges of care indicator. Councillor Steve Harrod, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services undertook to provide more detailed information on the timeliness of EHCPs but commented that the figures were improving.

Responding to a question from Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Phillips confirmed her view that the structure was improving. Councillor Bartholomew noted that it was an evolving structure that would continue to improve.

Cabinet Members drew attention to individual matter relevant to their portfolios.

Councillor Bartholomew, introduced the finance elements of the report detailing the current revenue budget position and providing an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan. Councillor Bartholomew moved the recommendation.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)          note the contents of this report;

(b)          approve the virements set out in Annex B – 2a and note the virements set out in Annex B – 2b;

(c)          approve the supplementary estimate set out in Annex B – 2e.

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/073

Contact: Lorna Baxter, Director of Finance Tel: 07393 001218

Report by Director of Finance (CA14).

The report is the second capital programme update and monitoring report for the 2019/20 financial year and focuses on the delivery of the capital programme based on projections at the end of August 2019 and new inclusions within the overall ten-year capital programme.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)        approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 1c;

(b)        approve the revised budget provision of £2.9m for the expansion at Hanborough Manor Primary School project, an increase of £1.3m;

(c)        note the approvals made under delegated authority of the Director of Finance in consultation with the Leader of the Council for:

     i.        the revised budget provision of £3.581m towards the Expansion to 2FE at West Witney Primary School, an increase of £1.281m.

The report is the second capital programme update and monitoring report for the 2019/20 financial year and focuses on the delivery of the capital programme based on projections at the end of August 2019 and new inclusions within the overall ten-year capital programme.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance corrected the date in paragraph 9 to read July 2019. As the local councillor for Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst Councillor Phillips referred to the work on the local library that was nearing completion and welcomed it as a positive and practical step. Councillor Phillips went on to deplore the lack of progress on the Risinghurst A40 crossing. Looking at the programme Councillor Phillips highlighted the need for greater accuracy in estimating the costs of the school building programme.

Councillor Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the contents of the report and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:             (unanimously) to:

(a)        approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 and the associated changes to the programme in Annex 1c;

(b)        approve the revised budget provision of £2.9m for the expansion at Hanborough Manor Primary School project, an increase of £1.3m; and

(c)        note the approvals made under delegated authority of the Director of Finance in consultation with the Leader of the Council for:

                  i.        the revised budget provision of £3.581m towards the Expansion to 2FE at West Witney Primary School, an increase of £1.281m.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/144

Contact: Steven Fairhurst Jones, Corporate Performance & Risk Manager Tel: 07392 318890

Report by Corporate Director Customers & Organisational Development (CA15).

The report presents the draft Risk and Opportunities Management Strategy for 2019-21 for approval. The Strategy will be the foundation for improvement of the Council’s risk management framework.

Cabinet is recommended to approve the draft Risk and Opportunities Management Strategy 2019-2021 (Annex A).

Cabinet considereded the draft Risk and Opportunities Management Strategy for 2019-21. The Strategy will be the foundation for improvement of the Council’s risk management framework.

Councillor Glynis Phillips. Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance welcomed that the Peer Review had provided the impetus to look again at risk management. She hoped that what was created would be more than a static document. Performance Scrutiny Committee has already commented and had been glad that it was to be reviewed annually. Councillor Phillips stated that if it was to be an effective tool then members needed to know how to use it. Referring to the detail of the report Councillor Phillips commented that the report focussed on income generation and that she would like to see a greater focus on invest to save measures. The link to the Corporate Plan was vital. Councillor Phillips queried how it would be used to look at work for partners, for example when looking at the opportunities and risks associated with the Integrated Care System.

RESOLVED:            to approve the draft Risk and Opportunities Management Strategy 2019-2021 (Annex A).

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/075

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

To report on a quarterly basis any executive decisions taken under the specific powers and functions delegated under the terms of Part 7.2 (Scheme of Delegation to Officers) of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 6.3(c)(i).  It is not for Scrutiny call-in.