Agenda item

This report (GI 5) sets out the Business Improvement & Efficiency Strategy for the Environment & Economy Directorate. The strategy contains the identified pressures and proposed savings over the medium term from 2010/11 to 2014/15. For reference the current financial context and the report to Strategy & Partnerships Scrutiny Committee are included.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment upon the Directorate Efficiency Strategy plus the identified pressures and proposals for savings contained therein.

The Director for Environment & Economy, Head of Sustainable Development and Head of Transport will be available to respond to questions, together with the Cabinet Member for Transport Implementation.

Officers from Financial Services will also be present at the meeting to answer any questions that the Committee may wish to ask.

Mr Day highlighted reference in the report to cost savings from waste management and referred to a scheme he had that looked at the same problem from the point of view of energy savings. He outlined what he saw as the advantages of his proposal which included profitability and financial advantage and asked that officers be authorised to discuss the matter with him.

The Chairman stated that Mr Day had made a proposal for a review that would come to the February meeting. The Director for Economy & Environment made it clear that there could be no negotiation around the procurement process with any individuals.

Mr Day responded to a question from Councillor Mathew and outlined his background as a physicist and his experience over 35 years as an architect involved in planning issues. He had no financial, business or commercial interest with anyone in connection with the scheme.

The Committee received a presentation on the papers before them and following a lengthy discussion the following points were made:

·                    There  was some support for the re-introduction of weekend and evening charges ‘on street’;

·                    There was some support for the re-introduction of weekend and evening charges ‘on street’;

·                    To look to find new areas of ‘on road’ charging in areas such as Summertown.

·                    To ask Cabinet to increase residents parking charges

·                    To ask Cabinet to ensure consistency of on road/off street charges,

·                    There was some support for the policy of not charging for ‘Park and Ride’ parking to be revisited in line with the recent question and answer session on ‘Park & Ride’.

·                    To ask Cabinet to ensure congestion charging is looked at as part of LTP3.

·                    EE1 – There was a need to ensure staff reductions do not affect service delivery

·                    EE14 – It was suggested that the targets for light switching off be increased

·                    EE2 & 14 – Look to increase car allowance savings over the period of the plan and encourage the adoption of this approach across the Council

·                    EE24 - Increase the target of trade waste saving if economically viable.

It was suggested that the savings be used for:

·                    the building maintenance programme and further that consideration be given to recharging that programme across all directorates. EE40 was seen as unsatisfactory.                                                                       

·                    Tourism –additional resources should be prioritised to the Olympics and there was some discussion as to whether it should be used in the build up to or after the Olympics to take advantage of the general boost expected at that time.

Other points:

·                    Councillor Mathew strongly endorsed the OCC Highways Drainage and other Pitt Review Flooding recommendations

Councillor Mathew asked that he be recorded as being against the re-introduction of weekend and evening charges and the consideration of congestion charging. Councillor David Nimmo expressed strong opposition to the introduction of any charges at park and ride sites.

Where a view was expressed members felt that they would wish to see the Council tax rise limited to below 3%, although accepting that it would need to be over 2%.

RESOLVED:             to agree to advise Cabinet via the Strategy & Partnership Committee of the views expressed above.

(Councillors Purse and David Turner abstained from the voting)