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To Members of the Cabinet

Notice of a Meeting of the Cabinet

Tuesday 17 April 2007 at 2.00 pm

County Hall, Oxford

Tony Cloke
Assistant Head of Service (Democratic)                                                           April 2007

Contact officer:          Matt Bayliss Tel: 01865 815384 E-mail:E-mail: matt.bayliss@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Membership

Decisions taken at the meeting will become effective at the end of the working day on 25 April 2007 unless called in by that date for review by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.

Copies of this Notice, Agenda and supporting papers are circulated to all Members of the County Council.

Date of next meeting: 15 May 2007

AGENDA

Addenda

1.                  Apologies for Absence

2.                  Declarations of Interest – see guidance note

3.                  Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2007 (CA3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

4.                  Petitions and Public Address

(See Addenda)

5.                  Financial Monitoring

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2006/188

Contact: Stephanie Skivington, Strategic Finance Manager/Mike Petty, Strategic Financial Planning Manager (01865 815426/815622)

Report by Head of Finance & Procurement (CA5).

(CA5 - download as .doc file)
(CA5 - Annexes 1- 5 - download as .xls file)
(CA5 - Annex 6 - download as .doc file)
(CA5 - Annex 7 - download as .xls file)

The financial monitoring report covers the period ended 28 February 2007 for both revenue and capital.  Changes to the forecast revenue outturn are reported against the position at the end of January 2007.

The consolidated revenue forecast for the year-end shows a balance of £17.036m. This is made up of £15.964m general balances and a forecast Directorate underspend of £1.072m (excluding the City Schools reorganisation). After adjusting for the £0.056m supplementary estimate for Legal Services not reflected in the Directorate variance, the adjusted position is £17.092m.

Within Children, Young People and Families the main area of pressure continues to be the Early Years and Family Support service with a forecast overspend of £1.308m. An increase in the forecast overspend within Agency Placements is broadly offset by a number of small changes across other budgets within the service. There has been no change to the forecast Asylum Seekers overspend (£0.240m) although significant uncertainty remains over grant income as a result of data matching issues with the Home Office.

Within Social & Community Services, Cultural Services is now forecasting a small underspend as the remaining cost of the projected write-down of Audio Visual stock is currently offset by underspends elsewhere. £0.293m of this underspend may be requested to be carried forward. The remaining services within the Directorate are showing an overall net underspend of £0.094m, as a small overspend within the Directorate Management Team is offset by underspends elsewhere. The pooled budget for Older People, Physical Disabilities and Equipment is forecasting a £0.181m overspend and the Learning Disbabilities pooled budget is forecasting a £0.021m overspend. This improved forecast is largely as a result of the transfer of additional contributions following the Cabinet approval of the draw-down of £0.977m from the Emergency Reserve.

There is an increased underspend reported for Environment & Economy and no change to the underspend reported by Community Safety, however proposals will be brought at the year-end to carry some of this forward to meet costs to be incurred in 2007/08. Resources is now forecasting a small overspend (£0.069m).

The Capital Programme monitoring is attached in Annex 7-7f to the report.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              note the report;

(b)              request the early repayment of £0.087m being half of the temporary supplementary estimate to Adult Learning in this year paragraph 42;

(c)               approve the write off of £0.259m bad debts as set out in paragraph 74;

(d)              approve the creation of a provision from the additional surplus strategic measures of £1m to smooth the impact of SORP debt restructuring activity as set out in paragraph 84;

(e)              recommend that council approve the allocation of LABGI grant as set out in paragraphs 87- 89 and annex 6;

(f)                approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraphs 98 – 105; and

(g)              recommend Council approve the permanent virement of £1m to the Property Services budget and a transfer of £1m ICT expenditure to the capital programme as set out in paragraphs 106 and 107.

6.                  Oxford City Unitary Council Proposal

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/54
Contact: Stephen Capaldi, Assistant Chief Executive (01865 815466)

At the end of January 2007 Oxford City Council submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government a proposal for three unitary councils for:

·        Oxford based on the existing City boundary;

·        A northern Oxfordshire authority for the area administered by Cherwell and West Oxfordshire district councils; and,

·        A southern Oxfordshire authority for the area administered by the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils.

If approved these three new unitary councils would have replaced the County Council and five district councils. The Secretary of State has examined the viability of the Oxford proposal along with 25 others across England against five criteria:

(1)               Affordability – the changes had to demonstrate that they were capable of being met from councils’ existing resources.

(2)               Stakeholder support.

(3)               Ability to demonstrate strong, effective and accountable strategic leadership.

(4)               Neighbourhood empowerment.

(5)               Value for money and equity on public services.

On the 27 March 2007 the Secretary of State announced that the Oxford proposal had not met the Government criteria and would not be pursued. The 16 proposals, which are going forward for further consideration, include all of the 10 county bids submitted. The full list is:

·        Bedfordshire County and the competing Bedford Borough bid

·        Cheshire County and the competing Chester City 2 unitary bid

·        Northumberland County and the competing rural and South East Northumberland bids

·        Cornwall County

·        Cumbria County

·        North Yorkshire County

·        Shropshire County

·        Somerset County

·        Wiltshire County

·        Norwich

·        Ipswich

·        Exeter

A Final decision on these 16 bids will be made at the end of July 2007. The Government has made it clear that no further proposals for unitary councils will be considered in the medium term and that continuing two tier local authorities are expected to work together to securing better partnership working to enhance customer service and value for money.                                            

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              note the decision of the secretary of state; and,

(b)              work with District Council colleagues on a 3 year programme for ‘Improved two-tier local government’ to secure seamless customer service and improved value for money.

7.                  Annual Public Health Report

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Social Care & Policy Co-ordination
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/74
Contact: Dr Jonathan McWilliam, Director of Public Health (01865 226626)

Report by Director of Public Health (CA7) (download as .doc file).

This is the first Annual Report by a Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire appointed by both the NHS and local government. Its recommendations are made for all organisations in Oxfordshire and for the public. It is an independent report which all Directors of Public Health must produce every year with the aim of galvanising action on four main threats to the future health, well-being and prosperity of Oxfordshire. The four topics are:

·        An aging population - the “demographic time bomb”.

·        Breaking the cycle of deprivation of Children and Families.

·        Preventing obesity: a major cause of chronic disease.

·        Fighting infectious diseases.


The aims and objectives supported by this paper are to improve the health of the people of Oxfordshire, Create a countywide public health strategy and to make improvements in partnership working. Progress against targets will be monitored in future reports. The report will be updated in the autumn taking account of any comments received.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to recommend the County Council to receive the report and note in particular the general recommendations therein.

8.                  Draft Future First Action Plan 2007/08 and Strategy & Implementation Plan for the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Sustainable Development
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/01
Contact: Nita Robertson, Environment Manager (01865 810421)

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA8).

The Cabinet agreed the Future First Action Plan 2006/07 in April 2006, with the recommendation that a progress report and action plan for the following year would be submitted the following year. In addition, the Cabinet is required separately to sign off the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. The Carbon Management Plan is the product of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, a central element of the Future First Action Plan 2006/07. Delivery of the Carbon Management Plan will now be the focus for Future First in 2007/08.

This report provides a review of progress in 2006/07 and proposes priorities and actions for the Future First Action Plan 2007/08 that will ensure the delivery of targets outlined in the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan and other Future First objectives.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the draft Future First Action Plan 2007/08 and the Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan.

9.                  Greenmere School, Didcot – Outcome of Formal Consultation

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/66
Contact: Roy Leach, Senior Adviser, Educational Achievement & Service Monitoring (01865 428010)

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA9).

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement authorised officers to undertake a formal consultation with a wide range of stakeholders about the proposal to replace Greenmere Primary School with a ‘Fresh Start’ school supported by additional funding from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

A consultation document was circulated to a number of relevant. In addition to this, two meetings were held at Greenmere primary school: one for staff and their Union representatives on 14 March 2007 and a second for the public on 19 March 2007. There were no responses when the meeting was asked whether anyone was against ‘Fresh Start’ for Greenmere Primary School.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              consider the outcome of the formal consultation; and,

(b)              determine whether to proceed with the publication of statutory notices for the closure of Greenmere Primary School and its replacement by a new Fresh Start school in the existing new school buildings.

10.             Sale of Surplus Land for Affordable Housing

Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/56
Contact: Neil Monaghan, Head of Property (01865 815712)

Report by Head of Property (CA10).

The Corporate Plan Strategic Priority to:

“Help the economy to grow as fast as possible with a real choice of access to jobs, homes, leisure and services and in a way that does not prejudice the future of our environment”.

includes a reference to the Local Area Agreement providing a focus for working with our partners to deliver important targets relating to skills, tourism, landfill reduction and affordable housing. 

The Community Partnership and the District Councils have given priority to increasing the supply of affordable housing and there is now an agreed LAA target to deliver 256 additional affordable homes within sustainable communities across Oxfordshire between 2006/7 and 2008/9, of which 70% will be social rented housing and 30% low cost home ownership units.  A performance reward grant of £1,476,465 has been allocated to this target. 

Previously, some District Councils have suggested that the County Council’s policy for the disposal of surplus property has been a hindrance to the supply of land for affordable housing.  The Capital Steering Group, CCMT and Informal Cabinet have therefore reviewed the current policies and have agreed that there should be a report to the Formal Cabinet.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree that:

(a)              there should be no change to the current policies for the disposal of surplus property;

(b)              the flexible and positive approach to negotiation of off-market sales to the District Councils or their nominated housing associations and the disposal of rural exception sites, should continue; and,

(c)               the County Council should participate in a partner-wide approach to the provision of public sector land to help achieve the Local Area Agreement target, subject to the Capital Steering Group being satisfied that there would be no unacceptable consequence for funding for the capital programme.

11.             South East Regional Housing Strategy Review

Cabinet Member: Sustainable Development
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/55
Contact: Dawn Pettis, Economic Development and Housing Programme Manager (01865 816082)

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA11) (download as .doc file)

On 15 March 2005 the Executive endorsed a report which set out a number of recommendations as a response to consultation on the draft South East Regional Housing Strategy 2006-2009. The final strategy was published in July 2005. The South East Regional Board is now due to submit its advice to ministers on the allocation of the housing element of the Regioanl Funding Allocation in the summer of 2007, to cover the years 2008 to 2011.

The report sets out a recommended County Council response to:

·        the overall allocation of funds in terms of spatial distribution and between different areas of housing investment;

·        Funding for different types of projects, including strategic sites, gypsy and traveller sites, the private sector housing improvement, rural affordable housing, the proportion of funding for social rented and intermediate housing and housing for key and essential workers;

·        Infrastructure and land in relation to the proposed Regional Infrastructure Fund an the purchase of brownfield surplus public sector land;

·        The housing issues of vulnerable groups including older people, the homeless, ex-offenders and those with other specific problems.

The report makes reference to these groups with the Every Child Matters agenda and the Local Area Agreement in mind.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              agree the recommended County Council responses as set out in Annex 1 to the report;

(b)              note the points made in the report concerning Gypsy and Traveller sites, the creation of a Regional Infrastructure Fund, public sector brownfield land, and housing for vulnerable groups; and,

(c)               thank the Regional Housing Board for the opportunity to comment on the draft Regional Housing Strategy Review and request that they make reference to the Every Child Matters agenda and the Local Area Agreement in relation to housing and sustainable community targets as set out in the report.

12.             Future of the Radcliffe Infirmary Site And Science Area, Oxford

Cabinet Member: Sustainable Development
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/70
Contact: Linda Currie, Team Leader – District Council Planning Consultations (01865 810432)

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA12).

The University of Oxford has published for consultation Masterplans for the redevelopment of the Radcliffe Infirmary site and the Science Area. The University proposes to expand and improve its facilities for staff and students on these two key sites to help maintain and develop its standing as a world class University.

The Masterplan for the Radcliffe Infirmary envisages the demolition of all non-listed buildings and major redevelopment to create new teaching, research and library space to meet the University's needs for the next 20 years. The proposals also provide for the relocation of Jericho Health Centre. The Masterplan proposes improvements to the public realm across the site including the creation of new east-west routes for cyclists and pedestrians, reduced car parking, increased cycle parking and the opening of views of the Radcliffe Observatory.

The Masterplan for the Science Area envisages the continued use of the area for scientific activities. The best buildings would be retained and other buildings redeveloped to expand capacity. It proposes major upgrading of buildings and improvement to the current unwelcoming environment of the area by increasing permeability.

It is intended that the Masterplans will be submitted to Oxford City Council later this year for endorsement. Implementation of the proposals for each development zone will occur as the academic need and funding opportunities allow.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to advise the University of Oxford that:  

(a)              it generally welcomes the University’s proposals to invest in the Radcliffe Infirmary site and the Science Area;

(b)              in particular, it supports:

(i)                 the proposals to increase the permeability and interconnectivity of both areas which would increase public access;

(ii)               the proposed reduction in car parking spaces, improved cycle and pedestrian access and provision of cycle parking facilities which would encourage travel by sustainable modes of transport; and,

(c)        it supports proposals to increase the sustainability of the Science area and encourages the University to also incorporate best practice in energy use and resource conservation in its redevelopment proposals for the Radcliffe Infirmary site.  

13.             Westgate Library Refurbishment

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Adult Learning & Cultural Services
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/44
Contact: Richard Munro, Head of Cultural & Adult Learning Services (01865 810191)

Report by Head of Cultural & Adult Learning Services (CA13).

This report updates Cabinet on the proposals for securing substantial improvements to the Westgate Library as part of the planned development of the Westgate Centre, and to seek approval for alternative arrangements for library service provision during the period of refurbishment.

Westgate Library is the County's central library; it is the busiest in the county, and the fifth busiest public library in England. As a result of negotiations with the partnership appointed by the City Council to develop the Westgate Centre, it is likely that agreement will be reached for a complete refurbishment of the library, largely at the developer's expense. This is a unique opportunity to secure improvements to the library resulting in a more attractive and inviting environment for users, better suited to the purpose of providing services required of a 21st century library. The opportunity to reconfigure the library space has prompted consideration of the future of Oxfordshire Studies and the ways in which the service will be presented and used in future.

During the period of refurbishment, it will not be possible to maintain a full library service. There are three main options for alternative provision during that period:

·        to make no alternative provision (Option A);

·        to make provision from alternative city centre temporary premises (Option B); or,

·        to make provision from within the library, “working around” the refurbishment work (Option C).

In order to progress plans for the redevelopment of the library, the Cabinet is being asked to consider these options.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              note the progress in negotiations to secure improvements to Westgate Library;

(b)              agree that the option of relocating all or part of Oxfordshire Studies with the Archives Service to create a History Centre, though attractive, is not viable at present; and,

(c)               agree that the preferred option for library service provision during the refurbishment of Westgate Library is to relocate to alternative city centre premises (Option B).

14.             Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust

Cabinet Member: Adult Learning & Cultural Services
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/50
Contact: Richard Munro, Head of Cultural & Adult Learning Services (01865 810191)

Report by Head of Cultural & Adult Learning Services (CA14).

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire (SOFO) Trust is a partnership of regimental trusts which aims to preserve Oxfordshire’s military heritage – in the form of museum objects and archives – and to make it available to the public for interest, education and research.

The County Council's heritage services have for some years worked with the Trust to support it in achieving these aims. In September 2003 the County Council agreed in principle that the Trust's collections, currently stored with poor public access at the Slade Barracks in Headington, should eventually be housed in the Museums Resource Centre (MRC) at Standlake, subject to funding and implementation of Phase II development of the MRC. The Council rther decided that, should such storage prove possible in an enlarged MRC, no charge should be made to SOFO for storage, but staff time for care and maintenance of the collection should be charged at cost.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)              note the developments in forming a partnership with the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust;

(b)              agree that in the event of the SOFO collections being housed in an enlarged Museums Resource Centre, no charge should be made to SOFO for routine care and maintenance of the collections; and,

(c)               approve the Memorandum of Understanding attached at Annex 1 to the report.

15.             Gender Equality Scheme

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Social Care & Policy Co-ordination
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/17
Contact: Adrian Harper-Smith, Corporate Strategies Manager (01865 810179)

Report by Head of Partnership Working/Corporate Strategies Manager (CA15).

The Equality Act 2006 places a statutory general duty on public authorities to promote gender equality and statutory specific duties to prepare and publish a Gender Equality Scheme by 30 April 2007, to implement the scheme and to publish annual progress reports. A draft Disability Equality Scheme is attached as Annex 1 to the report.

TThe Equality Act 2006 amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to place a statutory general duty on public authorities to actively promote gender equality. This means that in carrying out its functions the Council must have due regard to the need to:

·        eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment;

·        promote equality of opportunity between men and women.

The key elements of the draft gender equality scheme are:

·        Setting the Council’s gender equality priorities in consultation with local people, external stakeholders and staff;

·        Improving diversity and representation in the Council’s workforce; and

·        Implementing the Council’s existing equality impact assessment process.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree:

(a)              the Gender Equality Scheme as set out at Annex 1 to the report; and,

(b)              that annual progress reports should be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Social Care & Policy Co-ordination for consideration in accordance with Appendix 3 to Section E of the Council’s Constitution (Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet Members).

16.             Delegation Arrangements – Transport Portfolios

Cabinet Member: All
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/75
Contact Officer: Tony Cloke, Council Business Manager (01865 815314)

Report by County Business Manager (CA16) (download as .doc file).

Under the Council’s original Constitution any delegation arrangements for executive functions fell to be decided by the Cabinet itself.

In June 2006, the Cabinet considered a report on this matter (CA13, 6 June 2006) and agreed arrangements for the discharge by individual Cabinet Members of executive functions, to take effect from 1 September 2006.

This decision created a new standing arrangement whereby each Cabinet Member may take decisions within his/her portfolio without the prior authority of the Cabinet for each individual item.  This system has enabled a more efficient and effective use of Cabinet Members’ and officers’ time, ensuring that decisions are taken at an appropriate level, while preserving features that will guarantee transparency of and accessibility to the decision-making process.

There has been a change in Cabinet membership and portfolios, approved by Council on 3 April 2007. The former Cabinet Member for Transport is now the Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport Policy, retaining within his portfolio responsibility for strategic transport policy, and the responsibility for implementation of schemes for transport; highways; traffic and parking; road safety; and public passenger transport, has been delegated to the new Cabinet Member for Transport Implementation.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)     confirm the arrangements for the creation of the ‘Transport Decisions Committee’ comprising the Cabinet Members for Strategic Transport Policy and Transport Implementation in order to discharge the executive functions in relation to their respective portfolios, to take effect from 26 April 2007;

(b)    adopt the rules and conventions set out at Annex 1 to the report for the operation of the Committee;

(c)     authorise the Assistant Head of Service (Democratic) to take all necessary steps to bring the arrangements into effect from that date, including:

(i)      the setting of provisional dates and venues for decision meetings for each Cabinet portfolio, in consultation with the respective Cabinet Members and relevant directors; and

(ii)     making the arrangements known to other members and to officers;

(d)     review the working of the arrangements when they have been in operation for six months, subject to any detailed adjustments that may appear desirable in the interim.

17.             Forward Plan and Future Business

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: All
Contact Officer: Tony Cloke, Council Business Manager (01865 815314)

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 CA17.  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.