Meeting documents
Cabinet
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
To Members of the Cabinet |
Councillors |
|
|
Keith R Mitchell CBE |
- |
Leader of the Council |
David Robertson |
- |
Deputy Leader of the Council |
C.H. Shouler |
- |
Cabinet Member for Finance |
John Howell |
- |
Cabinet Member for Change Management |
Louise Chapman |
- |
Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families |
Michael Waine |
- |
Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement |
Roger Belson |
- |
Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development |
Jim Couchman |
- |
Cabinet Member for Social & Community Services |
Ian Hudspeth |
- |
Cabinet Member for Transport |
Mrs J. Heathcoat |
- |
Cabinet Member for Community Safety |
The Agenda is attached. Decisions taken at the meeting
will become effective at the end of the working day on 23 January 2008
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: 19 February 2008
If you have any special requirements (such as a large print version of these papers or special access facilities) please contact the officer named on the front page, but please give as much notice as possible before the meeting. |
AGENDA
(Addenda)
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Declarations of Interest – see guidance note
3. Minutes
(See also Addenda)
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2007 (CA3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.
4. Petitions and Public
Address
(See also Addenda)
5. Financial Monitoring
Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/218
Contact: Lorna Baxter, Strategic Financial Planning Manager (01865 816087)
Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Office (CA5).
The report sets out the Council’s forecast financial position for the 2007/08 financial year based on actuals to the end of November 2007.
The in-year overspend for the Directorates is predicted to be £1.162m a decrease of £0.489m from October (£1.651m). This forecast excludes the City Schools reorganisation overspend of £1.957m (repayment planned over a number of years) and the Schools Transport days variation of -£0.320m. An underspend is also reported on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £1.144m.
Supplementary estimates totalling £0.029m are requested in the report associated with costs incurred as a result of the July floods. When added to the supplementary estimates agreed in September and October, the cost to this Council of the floods stands at £1.062m. Further supplementary estimates are expected later in the year as flood associated costs are still being incurred.
Taking into account the virement of £0.400m to Agency Placements from Unallocated DSG (recommended by Cabinet for approval by Council on 8 January 2008) and supplementary estimates of £0.081m requested but not yet actioned the forecast in year overspend becomes £0.681m, which is 0.2% of the total Directorates’ budget.
Taking into account all known changes, general balances were £21.122m at the end of November. This gives an overall consolidated balances forecast for the year-end of £20.441m.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) note the report;
(b) approve the virements as set out in Annex 2a;
(c) approve the supplementary estimates totalling £0.029m as set out in Annex 2c; and
(d) approve the changes to the capital programme as set out in paragraphs 43 to 54.
6. Service & Resource
Planning 2008/09 – 2012/13
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/188
Contact: Lorna Baxter, Principal Financial Manager (01865 816087), Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager (01865 815307)
Report by Chief Executive and Assistant Chief
Executive & Chief Finance Office .(CA6).
(CA6 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 1 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 2 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 3 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 4 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 5 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 6 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 7a - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 7b - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 8 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 9 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 10 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 11 - download as .pdf file)
(CA6 - Annex 12 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 13a - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 13b - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Supplement)
(CA6 - Supplement - Annex 1 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Supplement - Annex 2 - download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Supplement - Annex 3 - download as .xls file)
This report is the fourth in a series on the Service and Resource Planning process for 2008/09 to 2012/13, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2008/09 and the medium term. It is the final report to Cabinet before Council considers the budget on 12 February 2008. The report sets out the latest information on the Council’s financial position, includes the Treasury Management Strategy for 2008/09 and considers the capital funding including providing an updated Capital Programme.
The Cabinet Member for Finance has prepared a separate report, which sets out the basis for the Cabinet’s budget proposals to Council and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2008/09 to 2012/13. This takes into consideration comments on the draft budget proposals from the individual Scrutiny Committees in December 2007 as well as the latest information on the Council’s financial position as outlined in this report. It also takes account of the public consultation on the budget which was undertaken on 8 December 2007.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) (in respect of revenue) to RECOMMEND Council to approve:
(1) a budget for 2008/09 and a medium term plan to 2012/13, based on the proposals set out by the Cabinet Member for Finance;
(2) a budget requirement for 2008/09;
(3) a precept for 2008/09;
(4) a Council Tax for band D equivalent properties;
(5) virement arrangements to operate within the approved budget;
(b) (in respect of treasury management) to RECOMMEND Council to approve:
(1) the Prudential Indicators set out in Annex 7a;
(2) the continued use of Lender Option/Borrower Option loans restricted to 20% of the debt portfolio;
(3) the continued use of forward borrowing limited to £10m in 2008/09;
(4) the increased credit limits shown on the proposed matrix in Annex 7a;
(5) the continued use of the services of SWIP and Investec;
(6) the Treasury Management Strategy Statement;
(c) (in respect of capital) to RECOMMEND Council to approve:
(1) the updated Corporate Asset Management Plan
(2) that the Schools forward programme should be included in the Capital Programme for submission to Council in February 2008;
(3) a Capital Programme for 2008/09 to 2010/11;and
(4) Prudential Indicators from April 2008.
EXEMPT ITEM
In the event that any Member or Officer wishes to discuss the information set out in Appendices 3.1; 3.8; & 7.4 to the Outline Business Case, the Cabinet will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of the above appendices by passing a resolution in relation to that item in the following terms:
"that the public be excluded during the consideration of Appendices 3.1; 3.8; & 7.4 to the Outline Business Case 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 itself does not contain exempt information and is thus available to the public. The exempt information is contained in confidential appendices to the Outline Business Case which are to be circulated only to Members and Officers entitled to receive it.
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE EXEMPT APPENDICIES REPORTED AT THE MEETING IN THE EXEMPT PART OF THE AGENDA (WHETHER IN WRITING OR ORALLY) MUST NOT BE DIVULGED TO ANY THIRD PARTY.
7.E Oxford Academy – Business Case
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/155
Contact: Shannon Moore, Assistant Head, Raising Achievement Service (01865 428084); Nigel Cunning, Team Leader, Project Delivery, Property Services (01865 810457)
Report by Director for Children, Young People &
Families (CA7E - Outline Project Appraisal) (CA7E)
(CA7E - Outline Project Appraisal)
(CA7E - Appendices - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Proposed Oxford Academy OBC - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Appendix 1.1 - Education Brief Extracts to Oxford Academy OBC Checklist - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Appendix 1.6 – Cabinet 20 November 2007 Extract of Minutes – Item 6 – Outcome of Formal Consultations on Proposals to Close Peers School to enable it to become an Academy - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy OBC - Programme - download as .pdf file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy – Appendix 3.7 – Draft Education Vision – Mabel Prichard School at the Oxford Academy - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy OBC - Accomodation Schedule - download as .xls file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy OBC - Design Statement - download as .pdf file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy OBC – Appendix 4.1 - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Oxford Academy OBC – Oxford Academy OBC – Appendix 7.1 – Proposed Resources & Estimated Cost of Project - download as .doc file)
(CA7E - Supplementary Report - Oxford Academy – Outline Business Case – Project Appraisal - download as .doc file)
(The information contained in Appendices 3.1; 3.8; & 7.4 to the Outline Business Case 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)
It is considered that in this case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because of discussions between Oxfordshire County Council and contractors with regard to evaluation of invitations to submit outline solutions and the need to protect the future negotiating position of the County Council.)
The report relates to the construction of the new Oxford Academy on the Peers School site in Littlemore. It gives an outline of the project and seeks Outline Project Approval for the scheme which includes other non Academy provisions which currently existing upon the site such as Mabel Prichard School, Adult Education facilities and a Public Library.
The Outline Business Case, and supporting appendices, will be issued as a separate document. A list of available appendices is attached as an annex to the report to Cabinet (CA7E). The full Outline Business Case has been given limited circulation due to its size. Further copies can be obtained from Steven Howell, contactable at steven.howell@oxfordshire.gov.uk. An update upon any changes / enhancements to the Outline Business Case will be issued prior to the meeting.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) approve the Outline Project Appraisal & Outline Business Case;
(b) declare permanently surplus the entire Peers School site at closure on 31 August 2008;
(c) approve the disposal on a 125 year lease at a peppercorn rent of those parts of the site required for the establishment of the Oxford Academy;
(d) approve the disposal ‘off market’ to the Oxford Academy Sponsors;
(e) authorise officers to undertake all necessary steps including affixing the common seal for the grant of a 125 year lease to the Oxford Academy Sponsors; and
(f) agree to retain the Mabel Pritchard School within the Academy facility.
EXEMPT ITEM
In the event that any Member or Officer wishes to discuss the information set out in Annex 4, the Cabinet will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of the Annex (marked CA8E – Annex 4) by passing a resolution in relation to that item in the following terms:
"that the public be excluded during the consideration of Annex 4 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 itself does not contain exempt information and is thus available to the public. The exempt information is contained in a confidential annex (Annex 4) which is to be circulated only to Members and Officers entitled to receive it.
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO SUBSIDY AGREEMENTS REPORTED AT THE MEETING IN THE EXEMPT PART OF THE AGENDA (WHETHER IN WRITING OR ORALLY) MUST NOT BE DIVULGED TO ANY THIRD PARTY.
8.E Oxfordshire Waste Treatment
Procurement - Selection of Participants to be Invited to Submit Detailed
Solutions
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Sustainable Development
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/257
Contact: Frankie Upton, Waste Project Manager (01865 815824)
Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA8E).
(CA8E - supplement - download as .doc file)
(The information contained in Annex 4 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)
It is considered that in this case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because of discussions between Oxfordshire County Council and contractors with regard to evaluation of invitations to submit outline solutions and the need to protect the future negotiating position of the County Council.)
On 19 September 2006 the Cabinet approved the start of procurement of residual waste treatment facilities to help meet Oxfordshire’s targets under European and UK legislation for reducing the amount of biodegradable waste that is sent to landfill. The contract was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union in March 2007, and subsequently eight companies were selected and invited to submit outline solutions. Their submissions were received in October 2007. The purpose of this report is to present the results of the evaluation and ratify the selection of participants to be invited to submit detailed solutions.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to;
(a) note and support the progress made on the procurement of residual waste treatment for Oxfordshire’s municipal waste; and
(b) endorse the selection of participants to be invited to submit detailed solutions as set out in Annex 4.
9. Post 16 Education for
Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/247
Contact: Simon Adams, Assistant Head of Service, SEN, Disabilities, Access (01865 810602)
Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA9).
At its meeting on 16 October 2007, the Cabinet resolved to consult widely on proposals to extend the age range of some or all special schools. This report analyses the responses to that consultation and makes recommendations on the future provision to be made for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in special schools beyond the age of 16.
The Council recognises the importance of parental choice and strives to ensure that wherever possible children can be educated locally. It is committed to working with the LSC and other partners to provide flexible post-16 programmes which meet individual needs and believes that the greatest gains for students are likely to come from the development of strong links between schools and colleges. The model to be developed must be sufficiently flexible to allow for the proposed raising of the general leaving age to 18.
If the Cabinet approves the proposed changes to school age ranges, set out in Annex 2, Formal Consultation would take place for a period of 6 weeks. This would be followed by a further report to Cabinet on 18 March 2008.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) approve publication of formal proposals to extend the age ranges of schools as set out in Annex 2; and
(b) consider the budgetary implications of accommodating the estimated costs as set out in paragraphs 24 and 25.
10. Race Equality Scheme
Cabinet Member: Change Management
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/280
Contact: Adrian Harper-Smith, Corporate Strategies Manager (01865 810179)
Report by Head of Partnership Working / Corporate Strategies Manager (CA10).
In accordance with the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Oxfordshire County Council has a statutory duty to prepare and publish a revised race equality scheme every 3 years. The revised scheme is intended to act both as a clear sign-post to the council’s commitment to race equality and as a blueprint for its delivery. It makes race equality central to the way the council works and puts it at the heart of planning, service delivery and employment practices.
The race equality scheme 2008-11 has been prepared following wide ranging engagement and consultation with a variety of stakeholders, voluntary and community organisations, race equality specialist workers, partner organisations and other stakeholders and is focused on a clear set of prioritised outcomes that will be of real benefit to the people of Oxfordshire.
This is the final version of the Race Equality Scheme that the Cabinet in draft form at it’s meeting on 18 December 2007.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the Race Equality Scheme 2008-11 as set out at Annex 1.
11. Code of Corporate
Governance
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Leader
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/243
Contact: Peter Clark, Head of Legal & Democratic Services / Monitoring Officer (01865 815363)
Report by Head of Legal & Democratic Services / Monitoring Officer (CA11).
The new Draft Local Code of Corporate Governance, attached at Annex 1, sets out how the Council complies with the requirements of the Code and identifies key documents, which provide detailed information as to how the Council ensures these Corporate Governance principles are adhered to.
When a new Code of Corporate Governance is adopted by the County Council, it will be required to be reviewed annually and the recommendation of the Monitoring Officer, subject to Cabinet approval, is that the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee is the appropriate Committee to consider in detail the Code of Corporate Governance and to sanction and approve any amendments.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) receive the report;
(b) consider, comment and approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance; and
(c) confirm that the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee is the appropriate Committee to conduct an annual review of the Code of Corporate Governance for Oxfordshire County Council.
12. Corporate Plan 2008 - 12
Cabinet Member: Leader
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/281
Contact: Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager (01865 815307)
Report by County Council Management Team (CA12).
This report introduces the Council's proposed Medium Term Corporate Plan 2008-12, to be submitted to Council on 12 February 2007 as one of those plans and strategies that forms the policy framework and so requires full Council approval. The draft plan was considered by the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee on 10 January 2008. The Committee’s advice will be reported to this meeting as part of the schedule of addenda.
The Corporate Plan provides a medium-term focus on achieving the Council's priorities. It establishes the context in which the Council operates and the strategic challenges that it faces. It describes the role and structure of the Council, including its role as a community leader. It outlines the rationale for the priorities we have set across four themes and identifies the areas on which we will focus. Each priority is supported by Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-sound (SMART) targets, against which we will measure progress. The plan goes on to explain our strategic planning and performance management framework. A summary of the key elements of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) is to be included and the MTFP will form an annex to the plan. A separate Annual Report will be produced in June, which will provide a review of the previous year, highlighting achievements and challenges faced and commenting on our performance.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to
consideration of any advice from the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee
and to the inclusion of consequential and editorial changes in the text as
agreed by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council,
to RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Medium Term Corporate Plan 2008-12.
13. Forward
Plan and Future Business
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: All
Contact Officer: Tony Cloke, Assistant Head of Service (Democratic) (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 CA13. 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.