Meeting documents
Cabinet
Tuesday, 24 June 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 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 2 July 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: 15 July 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
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2008 (CA3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.
4. Petitions and
Public Address
(See Addenda)
5. Financial
Monitoring
Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/014
Contact: Lorna Baxter, Strategic Financial Planning Manager (01865 816087)
Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Office (CA5).
This is the first financial monitoring report for the 2008/09 financial year and covers the period up to the end of April 2008 for both revenue and capital budgets. Given the difficulty in forecasting year-end outturn based on a single month’s actuals this report is on an exceptions basis, focusing on key risk areas identified from issues in 2007/08 and areas of emerging pressures.
The virements to be approved mainly relate to the Area Based Grant (ABG). As part of the 2008/09 budget setting process, it was recognised that a number of existing specific grants would be transferred into the ABG. Following guidance issued on 28 February 2008 stating that this grant should be treated as a general grant, it is necessary to remove the ABG income from directorates budgets and show it as external financing.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) note the report; and
(b) approve the virement and supplementary estimate requests.
6. Provisional
2007/08 Revenue and Capital Outturn
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Finance
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/060
Contact: Lorna Baxter, Strategic Financial Planning Manager (01865 816087)
Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Office (CA6) (download as .doc file)
(CA6 - Annex 1 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 2a - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 2b - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annexes 3 - 6 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 7 - download as .xls file)
(CA6 - Annex 8 - download as .xls file)
This report presents the 2007/08 provisional revenue and capital outturn and identifies variations of actual spend against budgets. The report focuses on the year end balance sheet position, including the level of general balances and reserves. Figures shown in the report reflect those included in the Council’s Statement of Accounts 2007/08, which is to be submitted to the Audit Committee on 25 June 2008, prior to audit.
The report also includes the approval process for the allocation of revenue carry forwards in 2008/09.
The Council's year end position for 2007/08 shows a revenue underspend of -£3.281m, a capital underspend of -£12.974m and general balances of £22.411m.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) note the provisional revenue and capital outturn set out in the report;
(b) approve the process for agreeing carry-forwards as set out in paragraphs 44-47;
(c) approve the changes to balances as set out in the table at paragraph 68;
(d) agree that the surplus in the On-Street Parking Account at the end of the 2007/08 financial year, so far as not applied to particular eligible purposes in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, be carried forward in the account to the 2008/09 financial year (paragraph 86); and
(e) approve the creation of new reserves as set out in Annex 4.
7. Eco-Towns
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Sustainable Development
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/074
Contact: Chris Cousins Head of Sustainable Development Council (01865 815459)/Ian Walker, Community and Spatial Strategy Manager (01865 815588)
Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA7).
To agree a response on the Government’s eco-towns consultation and in particular to the proposal for “Weston Otmoor”
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is consulting on proposals for eco towns. The consultation document “Eco Towns – Living a Greener Future” sets out how the government is taking forward the eco-towns programme. The document includes a shortlist of locations going forward for more detailed assessment, one of which is the “Weston Otmoor” proposal in Cherwell. The document seeks views on the way in which the eco-town concept is being developed and the different potential benefits that an eco town could offer; and preliminary views on the 15 locations going forward for further assessment.
This report, which includes a joint report prepared with officers from Cherwell District Council attached at Annex 1, comments on the eco-towns programme and “Weston Otmoor” proposal and recommends a response.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government that Oxfordshire County Council:
(1) has major concerns about the way in which the eco-towns concept is being developed for the reasons set out in paragraph 6 above and in Annex 1; and in particular that proposals may be taken forward which override the regional and local planning framework; and
(2) endorses the comments on the “Weston Otmoor” proposal in paragraph 6 and in Annex 1; and that on the information available would object strongly to the inclusion of the “Weston Otmoor” eco-town proposal in the final list of eco-towns locations, in particular on the grounds that:
(i) the proposal is likely to be contrary to the policies in the emerging South East Plan;
(ii) the proposal could have a significantly detrimental impact on the implementation of planned development of Bicester and the promotion of Bicester as a major employment location in northern Central Oxfordshire;
(iii) the Council is unconvinced about the deliverability of the major infrastructure package that underpins the eco-town proposal; and
(iv) there is a lack of clarity about the overall eco credentials of the “Weston Otmoor” proposal.
(b) agree to delegate to the Head of Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, finalisation of the joint report with Cherwell District Council and the submission of additional supporting information to meet the Government’s deadline of 30 June 2008.
8. Oxfordshire 2030
– Sustainable Community Strategy: A Partnership Plan for Improving Quality of
Life in Oxfordshire
Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/008
Contact: Paul James, Head of Partnership Working. (01865 816031)
Report by Head of Partnership Working (CA8).
Oxfordshire 2030 is the sustainable community strategy for the county. It has been developed by the Oxfordshire Partnership and sets out a long-term vision for improving quality of life for all our residents and businesses.
The Cabinet is asked to support the draft stategy so that it can go out for 12 weeks of public consultation before being formally agreed in November 2008.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to support the draft strategy for public consultation.
9. Scrutiny Review
of Recruitment and Retention of Retained Firefighters
Cabinet Member: Community Safety
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/049
Contact: Julian Hehir, Scrutiny Review Officer (01865 815673)
Report by Lead Member Review Group (CA9) (download as .pdf file)
(Summary - download as .doc file)
On 2 July 2007, the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee agreed as part of its work programme to undertake a scrutiny review of the Recruitment and Retention of Retained Firefighters and appointed Councillors M. Altaf-Khan, John Farrow and Charles Mathew to the Lead Member Review Group.
The Review set out:
· To examine the current system and processes for recruiting retained fire fighters and to recommend ways in which these could be enhanced to attract and then maintain a higher establishment.
· To incorporate recommendations on how to improve workforce diversity and (incidentally) whole time fire fighter recruitment (this aspect is relatively “light touch”).
· To monitor the implementation of the recommendations and outcomes of the in-depth (internal) authority review on Fire Cover (which was largely focused on recruitment and retention) as compared to the position the previous year (again, this is a light touch exercise).
As explained in the report, because of perceptions that there are difficulties in recruiting and then retaining retained firefighters, because figures indicated that at the start of the Review the Fire & Rescue Service was about 30 under the complement of retained firefighters and there was a 16-17 % turnover, it was considered that a thorough investigation needed to take place. At national level and in other services over recent years, similar investigations have been taking place and the Review's evidence indicated that the situation in Oxfordshire was better than in most (similar) authorities and that the Service had taken the initiative in developing and being proactive in new recruitment and retention strategies. In fact, several authorities looked to Oxfordshire as an example of good practice and as the Review progressed, we appreciated that the recruitment/turnover problems were reducing, primarily due to the vigour and the lead taken by the Retained recruitment Officer. The recommendations to the report duly reflect the Review’s acknowledgement of this good work.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to consider the Scrutiny Review Report and communicate to the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee its response to the Review’s recommendations.
10. Scrutiny Review
on Cycling to Work - ‘On Your Bike’
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/101
Contact: Alexandra Bailey, Senior Policy Manager (Scrutiny) (01865 816384)
Report by Lead Member Review Group (CA10) (download as .doc file).
(Cycling to Work Scrutiny Review - download as .pdf file)
On 20 February 2008, the
Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee met in a ‘select committee’ style
question & answer session to hear evidence for the production, via its Lead
Members (Councillors Lamont, Greene and Dhall), of a report on Cycling to Work
in Oxfordshire.
The review report sets out the practical steps that the authority and its partners could take to increase levels of cycling and overcome barriers to achieving an increased level of cycling in the county, without radically increasing its expenditure.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to consider the Scrutiny Review Report and communicate to the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee its response to the Review’s recommendations.
11. Provision of
Additional Secondary Pupil Places in Bicester
(See also Addenda)
Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/103
Contact: Irene Kirkman, Assistant Head of Raising Achievement Service, (School Support Services) (01865 815141
Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA11).
This report outlines a response to the Cabinet's request of 16 October 2007 for additional information on the feasibility, management, governance and pastoral care for the 14+ learning centre proposed at Bicester.
Officers were also asked to complete negotiations with the developers to secure a sufficient and appropriate site to meet the needs of the 14-19 learning centre, including any possible future expansion and to report back on the potential implications in terms of time and costs.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) approve the continued strategic assessment and development of the strategic brief for the 14+ learning centre; and
(b) approve the establishment of Soft Governance Federation, with a Statutory Strategic Committee to manage the 14 + learning centre in Bicester, subject to agreement of the governance protocols and SLA by the Cabinet Member for School Improvement.
12. Performance
Management: 4th Quarter Progress Report against Priorities and Targets
Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council, Change Management
Forward Plan Ref: 2008/016
Contact: Paul Edwards, Corporate Performance Manager (01865 815307) / Laura Noctor, Senior Policy Manager (01865 816376)
Report by County Council Management Team (CA12).
The report and attached annexes report on the Council's Balanced Scorecard detailing progress against priorities and targets as at Quarter Four 2007 – 2008.
Performance at year end is encouraging with more than 80% of targets for which information is available on track at the end of quarter four compared to 75% at this stage last year.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.
13. Update Report on
Sprinkler Provision and Premises Surveys
Cabinet Member: Community Safety
Forward Plan Ref: 2007/234
Contact: Mike Smyth Deputy Chief Fire Officer (01865 855205)
Report by Director for Community Safety & Shared Services/Chief Fire Officer /Director for Children, Young People & Families/Head of Property Services (CA13).
On the 18 September 2007, the Cabinet agreed a forward approach to Sprinkler Provision and Premises Surveys in primary and secondary schools. Officers were asked to perform risk assessments on all existing primary and secondary schools and report the outcomes to Cabinet.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update for the Cabinet on the progress made by officers to date, with no decisions required at this time.
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the progress made to date.
14. Forward
Plan and Future Business
(See also Addenda)
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 CA14. 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.