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Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 20 May 2008

 
To Members of the Cabinet
 
 
Notice of a Meeting of the Cabinet

 

Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 2.00 pm

 

County Hall, Oxford

 

 

Joanna Simons

Chief Executive                                                                                                                                  

May 2008

 

Contact officer:          Steven Howell

Tel: 01865 815463

E-mail: steven.howell@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

 

Membership

 

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 OBE

-

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

Decisions taken at the meeting

will become effective at the end of the working day on 29 May 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: 24 June 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 Interestsee guidance note

3.                 Minutes

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2008 (CA3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

 

4.                 Petitions and Public Address

(See Addenda)

 

5.                 Oxfordshire's Local Area Agreement (2008 - 2011)

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/071

Contact: Jayne Dunn, LAA2 Project Manager 01865 816330

 

Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) (CA5).

 

Oxfordshire County Council is the lead authority responsible for developing the Local Area Agreement with the Government on behalf of the authorities and organisations involved in the Oxfordshire Partnership.

 

An extensive consultative exercise, starting in April 2007, resulted in the Oxfordshire Partnership agreeing long-term priorities for the Sustainable Community Strategy – Oxfordshire 2030 (a long term vision for Oxfordshire). Using these priorties as a foundation, the Partnership has chosen 35 indicators from the new National Indicator Set to be included in the county-wide Local Area Agreement. These indicators will be used to measure improvement against the priorities of the Sustainable Community Strategy.  

 

The 35 chosen indicators were submitted to Government Office for the South East on 31 March 2008. Since then officers, from a range of Oxfordshire Partnership organisations, have been negotiating improvement targets with the Government Office. These targets must be submitted to central government by 30 May 2008 for ministerial sign-off during June 2008.

 

The list of draft targets and levels, so far as is known, is set out in Annex 1. The final outcomes of the discussions with GOSE will be reported to the Cabinet as part of the schedule of addenda.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)               agree the targets for 27 of the 35 indicators recommended by the Oxfordshire Partnership for inclusion in the new Local Area Agreement for submission to GOSE by 30 May 2008;

 

(b)              agree that work to establish baselines and targets for the remaining eight indicators can be carried out during 2008/09;

 

(c)               delegate responsibility to the Leader of the Council to agree any changes to these targets recommended by the Public Service Board at their meeting on 22 May 2008; and

 

(d)              receive a further report on progress in September 2008.

 

6.                 Oxfordshire County Council Annual Report

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/050

Contact: Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager (01865 815307)

 

Report by County Council Management Team (CA6).

 

The Annual Report is intended to provide an overview of the previous year highlighting the council’s achievements and successes. The Annual Report is also designed to fulfil the requirements to produce a Best Value Performance Plan, which is one of the strategic plans requiring the approval of Council.

 

The Annual Report (download as .pdf file) is a working draft. Additional text and detailed appendices will be added including outturn performance data for the year as this becomes finalised. The working draft will be considered by Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee on 29 May 2008. The Annual report will be submitted to Council for approval on 17 June 2008.

 

The Annual Report will contain the following main headings:

 

·        Chief Executive/Leader Foreword

·        Achievements in four main thematic areas:

o       World Class economy

o       Environment and Climate Change

o       Healthy and thriving Communities

o       Better public Services

·        Annexes (to be added at a later stage)

o       Best Value Performance Indicators 2007/08 outturn

o       Local Area Agreement 2007/08 performance outturn

o       Progress against Council pledges

o       Code of conduct on workforce matters

o       Summary of Accounts

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to consideration of any  comments from the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee, to approve the draft Annual Report as the basis for submission to the Council on 17 June 2008 for approval; incorporating the necessary detailed appendices and any presentational and editorial changes agreed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

 

7.                 Travel and Information Management Policy

Cabinet Member: Transport

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/025

Contact: Paul Fermer (Senior Transport Planner) (01865 815764)

 

Report by Head of Transport (CA7).

 

The newly formed Congestion Management group in the Network Management team will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of travel and information management.  A Travel and Information Management policy has been developed to ensure that they have the tools and equipment to do this effectively. The policy document also covers wider strategic aims to ensure that the network is managed in line with wider transport strategies.

 

Linkages between Traffic and Information Management and other work helping to deliver the Local Transport Plan have been made in this report to highlight the important relationship between them all. These include: Access to Oxford; the Central Oxfordshire Transport Strategy; and the Network Management Plan.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to adopt the Travel and Information Management Policy Document.

 

8.                 Primary Capital – Strategy for Change

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/069

Contact: Irene Kirkman, Assistant Head of Service- School Support Services, Raising Achievement Service (01865 815141)

 

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA8).

 

This report supplements the consultation document on the Primary Capital Programme - Strategy for Change (PCP-SC) which has been sent out to stakeholders. The deadline for the return of responses was 9 May 2008. The feedback obtained from the consultation will be analysed to inform the final version of the PCP-SC for Cabinet approval by means of a delegated decision on 3 June 2008.

 

The Cabinet’s attention is drawn, in particular, to sections three and five of the Consultation Document (attached at Annex 2), which detail the long term aims and initial investment priorities identified in the strategy.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)               note the content of the consultation document, the questionnaire format for stakeholder responses and the range of stakeholders contacted for response;

 

(b)              approve the locality priority list for capital investment, as suggested by the criteria set out in Annex 3; and

 

(c)               agree to delegate to the Cabinet Member for School Improvement the decision to approve the final version of the strategy, which will include the locality priority list for capital investment, for submission to the DCSF by 16 June 2008.

 

9.                 Ask Oxfordshire – Consultation & Engagement Strategy

Cabinet Member: Change Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/021

Contact: Carole Stow, Consultation & Marketing Manager, Customer First (01865 815445)

 

Report by Associate Director for Change Management and Cabinet Member for Change Management (CA9).

 

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to consulting the people and communities of Oxfordshire in a meaningful and robust way. Effective consultation helps to ensure that our key strategies take into account local priorities and that our services are tailored and responsive to local needs.

 

The proposed Ask Oxfordshire Consultation Strategy sets out the council's approach to consultation and establishes a new framework for the delivery of consultations. The new strategy is required for two reasons. First, a review by consultants Peer Group revealed weaknesses and inconsistencies in the way we conduct consultations as an organisation. Second, a new Duty to Involve comes into force on 1 April 2009 with which we need to be compliant.

 

Through the implementation of the strategy the council aims to consistently deliver first-class consultations, in which the people and communities of Oxfordshire can have confidence.

 

This report sets out the direction of travel for the strategy and the proposed approach to consultation to inform its further development

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)               note the draft Summary Ask Oxfordshire Consultation Strategy 2008/11;

 

(b)              endorse the approach to consultation and formulation of the full Strategy document, noting that the Cabinet Member for Change Management will be asked to approve the final Strategy as a delegated decision on 15 July 2008; and

 

(c)               submit to the Change Board, for its approval, a Project Initiation Document setting out how the implementation of the Strategy will be achieved.

 

10.             Corporate Assessment Update and Action Plan

Cabinet Member: Change Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2007/224

Contact: Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager (01865 815307)

 

Report by County Council Management Team (CA10).

 

The Council underwent a Corporate Assessment and Joint Area Review in December 2007 as part of the Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment process. The Corporate Assessment is designed to assess how well the Council engages with and leads its communities, delivers community priorities in partnership with others, and ensures continuous improvement across the range of Council activities. The Joint Area Review evaluates how local services work together to contribute to the achievement, progress and well-being of children and young people. The Council received a detailed report from the Audit Commission on 22nd April 2008.

 

The assessment report is very positive and we have maintained the score of '3' achieved in the last Corporate Assessment in 2004, despite the new methodology representing 'a harder test'. The report acknowledges the rapid improvement journey we have undergone over the last five years and our strong and effective leadership.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

 

11.             Oxfordshire Joint Area Review of Children’s Services

Cabinet Member: Children Young People & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/068

Contact: Mike Simm, Head of Service for Commissioning, Strategy & Locality Development

 

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA11).

 

The Joint Area Review of services for children and young people in Oxfordshire was published on 22 April 2008.

 

This reports on a major inspection of the contribution that local services make to the welfare of children, and in particular vulnerable children. Led by Ofsted, but including inspectors from the Audit Commission, Healthcare Commission and HM Inspectorate of Probation, the Joint Area Review involved extensive fieldwork late in 2007.

 

The report to Cabinet details the recommendations made by the Joint Area Review and outlines how they are to be responded to. Action Plans for all recommendations have been drawn up and monitoring arrangements are proposed.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the Joint Area Review report

 

12.             Corporate Parenting – The Council’s Role as Corporate Parent to its Looked After Children: Issues and Progress

Cabinet Member: Children Young People & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/053

Contact: Andy Couldrick, Head of Service for Children and Families (01865) 815833

 

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA12).

 

This is the first of regular six-monthly reports to Cabinet and Council on its role as legal "Corporate Parent" to the children and young people Looked After by the Council; and those Leaving Care to live independently.

 

The report addresses Council-wide improvements in Corporate Parenting. Enhanced accountability for this highly vulnerable group is one element and the Children's Panel, charged with the monitoring and scrutiny part of the Corporate Parent role, will now ensure reports are made twice-yearly to Cabinet on the progress made by this group; and on the issues and challenges posed in caring for the County's most vulnerable young people.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)               approve the Corporate Parenting Strategy and the priorities contained therein;

 

(b)              note the information on outcomes for our Looked After Children and the service performance measures;

 

(c)               approve a change of name from the Children’s Panel to the Corporate Parenting Panel, so as explicitly to address this key responsibility; and

 

(d)              approve an invitation to the Chairman of Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee to join the Corporate Parenting Panel as an additional member.

 

13.             Annual Audit & Inspection Letter 2006/7

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/082

Contact: Sue Scane, Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (01865 816399)

 

Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA13).

 

The Audit Commission issued the Annual Audit & Inspection Letter in March 2008. The Letter represents a summary of the Auditors’ work and key findings relating to the financial year 2006/07. The Letter was circulated on 15 April 2008 to all Councillors and relevant officers. Members are asked to bring their copy of the Letter to the meeting. Copies have also been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre and are on public deposit.

 

The Letter was considered by the Audit Committee 23 April 2008.   The Committee resolved:

 

·        to receive the Annual Audit & Inspection Letter and note the comments from the Audit Commission;

·        that there were no recommendations to the Cabinet on 20 May 2008 arising from the Letter;

·        to ask Members wishing to refer sections of the Letter for scrutiny to do so through the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group for co-ordination; and

·        to refer the Letter to the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group to help with work planning for 2008/09. 

 

(In the light of discussion with the Committee the Audit Commission Relationship Manager undertook to make any necessary minor textual corrections / clarifications to the Letter.)

 

Given the important nature of the Commission’s letter it was felt that Cabinet may wish to comment themselves on its content.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to receive the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter.

 

14.             Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology

(See also Addenda)

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/081

Contact: Lorna Baxter, Strategic Finacial Planning Manager (01865 816087)

 

Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA14)

 

A statement on the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) methodology used by the authority appliciable to the 2007/08 accounts and beyond is required to be approved by Council. The MRP is a statutory charge relating to the repayment of debt.

 

Until 2007/08, the basis of the calculation for the MRP was specified in legislation. However, the government has now issued legislation and guidance that gives local authorities more freedom to determine what is a prudent level of MRP. The report sets out the options for prudent provision and the MRP statement based on the options. The statement is a confirmation of existing practice and not a change in policy.

 

This requirement arises from legislation which came into effect on 31 March 2008.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to recommend the Council to approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report.

 

15.             Appointments

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2008/020

Contact: Geoff Malcolm, Principal Committee Officer (01865 815904)

 

Report by Assistant Head of Legal & Democratic Services (CA15).

 

Under Section H of the Constitution, the Cabinet is responsible for appointments to those outside bodies which have been identified by the Cabinet as "strategic” and “noted as such on a list of all relevant offices and bodies from time to time presented to and endorsed by the Council" (the Democracy & Organisation Committee has responsibility for appointments to other outside bodies). 

 

The bodies currently designated as “strategic” are listed in the report. The Cabinet reviews annually the existing appointments in order to make any changes which are considered appropriate. 

 

The report also invites the Cabinet to consider whether it wishes to develop a broad, overall approach to the ‘Member Champion’ role in order to achieve a strategic, consistent approach to such designations.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)               to make the revised appointments as shown at Annex 1 and in the light of nominations made by the date of the meeting; and

 

(b)              (if the Cabinet supports a consistent strategic approach to the Member Champion role) to ask the Assistant Head of Legal & Democratic Services to develop for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting draft guidance in relation to the role of ‘Member Champion’, to include a person specification / role description and reporting framework.

 

16.             Forward Plan and Future Business

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Sue Whitehead, Committee Services Manager (01865 810262)

 

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 CA16. 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.