Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2016 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 July 2016 were approved and signed subject to changing 10.00 am to 10.30 am in the resolution of Minute 39/16.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Langridge, Mathew and Owen.

Councillor James Mills declared an interest in Agenda Items 6 and 16 (Motion from Councillor David Williams) by virtue of his membership of WODC and Oxfordshire Growth Board.

The Chairman reported as follows:

Council sent it condolences to the families of those lost at Didcot Power Station collapse.  Tribute was paid to Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Coroner’s Service and the local community for their efforts in very difficult circumstances.

Council sent their condolences to the family of former Monitoring Officer of the City Council Jeremy Thomas.

The Chairman and the Vice Chairman were participating in the Maggie Culture Crawl in aid of the Maggie Centre at the Churchill hospital, Oxford.  Gift Aid Envelopes had been circulated and a just Giving page had been set up should members wish to support the cause.

The Chairman reminded members that, following consultation with the Group Leaders, Council would finish at 1.00 pm, so that all members could attend the Unitary Debate at the extraordinary meeting of the Performance Scrutiny Committee.

23 questions with notice were asked. Details of the questions and answers and the supplementary questions and answers (where asked) are set out in Annex 1 to the Minutes.

In relation to question 1 (Question from Councillor John Tanner to Councillor David Nimmo Smith), Councillor Nimmo Smith gave an assurance to keep the public and members informed prior to any future plans for Folly Bridge.

In relation to Question 5 (Question from Councillor Howson to Councillor Nimmo Smith) Councillor Nimmo Smith undertook to provide Councillor Howson with a written answer to the question of why no modelling was undertaken and how people were to get into Oxford whilst works were being carried out.

In relation to Question 16 (Question from Councillor Dhesi to Councillor Nimmo Smith) Councillor Nimmo Smith undertook to provide Councillor Dhesi with a written answer detailing how much the community pay back scheme is used for cutting back overgrown hedges etc.

In relation to Question 18 (Question from Councillor Nick Hards to Councillor Melinda Tilley) Councillor Tilley undertook to provide Councillor Hards with a written answer detailing whether there were still any children waiting for a place at Great Western Park.

Report of the Cabinet Meetings held on 28 June 2016 and 19 July 2016 (CC9).

The Council received the report of the Cabinet.

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CC10).

The report sets out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the financial year 2015/16 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.  The report includes Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, Investment Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

The Cabinet considered the report at its meeting on 19 July 2016 and recommended Council to receive the report.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2015/16.

The Council had before them a report by the Chief Finance Officer (CC10) which set out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the financial year 2015/16 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice. The report included Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, Investment Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Councillor Stratford moved and Councillor Hudspeth seconded the recommendations set out in the report and on the face of the agenda.  In moving the report, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Lawrie Stratford paid tribute to the Treasury Management Team for their work over the past year and on an excellent report.

During debate, Councillor Roz Smith questioned whether decisions on the transition fund would be going through delegated decisions and if so, where those decisions would be reported to.  In response, Councillor Stratford undertook to provide her with a written answer to the question.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried nem con.

RESOLVED: (nem con) to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2015/16.

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CC11).

The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) agreed by Council in February 2016 included a requirement for further savings for which proposals had not been identified of £10.4m in 2017/18 and £6.2m in 2018/19.  A surplus position of £1.3m was included for 2019/20. Over the medium term to 2019/20 a total of £15.3m additional savings are required.

Given the need to make significant additional savings only became apparent following the publication of the Draft Local Government Finance Settlement late in December 2015 due to a change in the distribution of Revenue Support Grant, it would not have been prudent to propose further significant savings without proper financial planning and consultation. Therefore, recommendations for meeting the £15.3m further savings were proposed to be brought forward as part of a revised MTFP for 2017/18 – 2019/20 to Cabinet and then Council for approval before the autumn of 2016.

The Cabinet considered the report at its meeting on 19 July 2016 and recommended Council to approve the report.

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the:

(a)             revised Medium Term Financial Plan for 2017/18 to 2019/20; and

(b)             four year Efficiency Plan for 2016/17 to 2019/20 including the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts strategy for 2016/17 for onward submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Councillor Stratford moved and Councillor Hudspeth seconded the recommendations set out in the report and on the face of the agenda.  In moving the report, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Lawrie Stratford paid tribute to the Finance Team for their work over the past year and on an excellent report.

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 45 votes to 10, with 4 abstentions.

RESOLVED: (45 votes to 10, 4 abstentions) to approve the:

(a)             revised Medium Term Financial Plan for 2017/18 to 2019/20; and

(b)             four year Efficiency Plan for 2016/17 to 2019/20 including the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts strategy for 2016/17 for onward submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society.  We believe that hate crimes have no place in our country, whether they are based on Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Age, Disability or Gender Identity. Oxfordshire County Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.

We reassure all people living in Oxfordshire that they are valued members of our community.”

The Chairman sought the approval of Council to move the following motion which had received cross party support without debate.  The motion was put to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED:  (unanimously)

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society.  We believe that hate crimes have no place in our country, whether they are based on Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Age, Disability or Gender Identity. Oxfordshire County Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.

We reassure all people living in Oxfordshire that they are valued members of our community.”

“Oxfordshire County Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to decide on the abolition of grammar schools and to end the horrendous process of selection that divided children at the age of 11 into those who could go to grammar schools and those who were condemned to attend secondary modern schools where even the brightest children were not challenged and encouraged to progress.

This Council should not support going back to the old system that was so rightly rejected by this Council in the past and asks the Cabinet to reject any proposal to invoke this incredibly retrograde step to reintroduce grammar schools into Oxfordshire.”

Councillor Gill Sanders moved and Councillor Howson seconded the following motion:

“Oxfordshire County Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to decide on the abolition of grammar schools and to end the horrendous process of selection that divided children at the age of 11 into those who could go to grammar schools and those who were condemned to attend secondary modern schools where even the brightest children were not challenged and encouraged to progress.

This Council should not support going back to the old system that was so rightly rejected by this Council in the past and asks the Cabinet to reject any proposal to invoke this incredibly retrograde step to reintroduce grammar schools into Oxfordshire.”

During debate, Councillor Tanner moved and Councillor Azad seconded that the question be now put.

The motion was put to the vote and was lost by 26 votes to 19.

Following debate, the substantive motion was put to the vote and was carried by 37 votes to 14, with 9 abstentions.

RESOLVED:  accordingly.

“The A34 Trunk Road is a major economic artery, not only for Oxfordshire, but also for the neighbouring counties of Berkshire and Hampshire.  I believe it is this Council’s responsibility and duty to instigate and create strong representation with our adjoining Council colleagues, local Members of Parliament and other relevant groups, to focus upon the current and serious inadequacies of this highway.  Commercial and residential development within Oxfordshire is growing significantly and Highways Agency admits the highway to be at virtual capacity now. Too serious incidents have taken place over the last five years and we are all aware of the recent tragedy when a Mother and three children were killed, plus several serious injuries.

Records show approximately 70 serious hospitalised injuries and 10 fatalities in the last five years (excluding the last four months’ statistics). In all 499 incidents and 757 casualties have occurred in this period.

Council asks that the leader of the Council writes to the Minister of Transport, the Right Hon Chris Grayling MP, Highways England, the Treasury and the CLG to collectively create an early strategy and budget, for addressing the ever increasing dangers of this road.  This is now impacting on the commercial growth and prosperity of Oxfordshire as the reputation of this road is becoming well-known, but for the very wrong reasons. I fear the county’s economy could also decline because this highway is becoming unable to cope.”

Councillor Lilly moved and Councillor Greene seconded the following motion:

“The A34 Trunk Road is a major economic artery, not only for Oxfordshire, but also for the neighbouring counties of Berkshire and Hampshire.  I believe it is this Council’s responsibility and duty to instigate and create strong representation with our adjoining Council colleagues, local Members of Parliament and other relevant groups, to focus upon the current and serious inadequacies of this highway.  Commercial and residential development within Oxfordshire is growing significantly and Highways Agency admits the highway to be at virtual capacity now. Too serious incidents have taken place over the last five years and we are all aware of the recent tragedy when a Mother and three children were killed, plus several serious injuries.

Records show approximately 70 serious hospitalised injuries and 10 fatalities in the last five years (excluding the last four months’ statistics). In all 499 incidents and 757 casualties have occurred in this period.

Council asks that the leader of the Council writes to the Minister of Transport, the Right Hon Chris Grayling MP, Highways England, the Treasury and the CLG to collectively create an early strategy and budget, for addressing the ever increasing dangers of this road.  This is now impacting on the commercial growth and prosperity of Oxfordshire as the reputation of this road is becoming well-known, but for the very wrong reasons. I fear the county’s economy could also decline because this highway is becoming unable to cope.”

Following debate, the motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: accordingly.

“A new fast rail service to go from Bristol to Swindon, Grove/Wantage and Milton Keynes will improve the cost/benefit ratio for the new station at Wantage/Grove.  County officers are asked to discuss with Network Rail and the DfT for the inclusion of a station at Wantage/Grove into the funding during Network Rail's next control period starting in 2019 with a view to the station being opened by the end of the control period. The station will reduce wear and tear on local roads and reduce commuting time between the rapidly growing communities in South Oxfordshire. It will also improve access to skills and education for both 16 - 19's and adults living in those parts of the County.

Council calls on the officers to investigate the cost and partnership funding available to develop the business case and identify the county funding contribution required for the business case. In doing so they should co-operate with similar efforts in Wiltshire and elsewhere.”

Councillor Johnston moved and Councillor Rose seconded the following motion:

“A new fast rail service to go from Bristol to Swindon, Grove/Wantage and Milton Keynes will improve the cost/benefit ratio for the new station at Wantage/Grove.  County officers are asked to discuss with Network Rail and the DfT for the inclusion of a station at Wantage/Grove into the funding during Network Rail's next control period starting in 2019 with a view to the station being opened by the end of the control period. The station will reduce wear and tear on local roads and reduce commuting time between the rapidly growing communities in South Oxfordshire. It will also improve access to skills and education for both 16 - 19's and adults living in those parts of the County.

Council calls on the officers to investigate the cost and partnership funding available to develop the business case and identify the county funding contribution required for the business case. In doing so they should co-operate with similar efforts in Wiltshire and elsewhere.”

Following debate, the Motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: accordingly.

“Given that the Council has moved from the total closure of all 44 Children’s Centres to a figure that now stands at 18, this Council resolves that the decision to close all the Centres is reviewed by Cabinet with a view to keeping all centres open beyond the proposed closure date of March 2017 and that further funding sufficient to underpin that commitment beyond the original £2m identified in the budget from the unspecified savings budget heading is made available.

During 2016-2017 constructive consultations with the new authorities that emerge from the devolution decision to begin along with other organisations that may be willing to co-sponsor the Children Centres beyond 2017 such as the Health Service, the Police, Parish councils and Charities.” 

“There are proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Oxfordshire based on the concept of unitary authorities.”  Cases for the efficacy of service delivery can be made for each structure, a single County authority or a number of District/City based unitary authorities. However the cornerstone of any new structure must be that it is democratic and what the people of Oxfordshire perceive as representing their local community interest.

With this in view the County will undertake public consultation of those on the electoral roll in Oxfordshire that accepts the unitary principle and presents four options:

·               One single County Wide Unitary with a high degree of devolution.

·               Two Unitary Authorities. The City of Oxford and a unitary incorporating all the market towns around the City.

·               Three Unitary Authorities. The City of Oxford and two unitaries  incorporating one to the North and one to the South.

·               Four Unitaries. Composed of the City of Oxford, Cherwell (Banbury ) West Oxford (Witney) and South Oxfordshire (Didcot and the Vale)

Advocates of all these structures to make their case to the electorate prior to the vote.

The results of this consultation to be submitted by the Leader of the Council to Central Government to illustrate the wishes of local people and with the various submissions from the existing local governments.”

“The EU Referendum held on the 23^rd of June with its decision to exit the European Union is a very damaging decision for Oxfordshire’s economy and wellbeing and is not a mandate for abandoning the progressive reforms that the European Union introduced.

EU regulations related to pollution controls have become critical to our traffic management policies as have directives related to waste management in guiding our recycling systems. Our County economic infrastructure plans are clearly now profoundly influenced by monies channelled via the European Union structural funds and regional aid policies. Competition rules and international trade regulation plus employment directives from the EU influence our contracting, employment and procurement regulations underpin a great deal of Council tendering.

This Council is concerned that all these influences that have been to the advantage of the County Council’s operation are not lost and urges the Government to introduce a Consolidation Act to clearly incorporate all outstanding EU directive and regulation at present operational into British Law.  Council requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister to illustrate the Council’s opinion.”

“This Council notes that:

·                1 in 4 adults will experience a mental health episode in any given year.

·                Mental illness costs some £105bn each year in England alone.

·                People suffering from mental illness are disproportionally likely to have other problems such as housing issues, employment and debt.

·                People with severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK.

As a local authority we have an important role to play in improving the mental health of all – by supporting people in our communities living with mental illness and tackling some of the widest most entrenched inequalities in health.

Mental health should be a priority across all local authority areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning. All councillors can play an important part in championing mental health, both as individuals and on a strategic basis, adding weight to the work of our social care, public health and community safety services.

The Council resolves to sign up to the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge and to support measures to promote positive mental health in Oxfordshire, enhancing our joint working with our partners in the NHS, the police authority and the voluntary sector.”