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COUNTY COUNCIL – 15 JUNE 2004

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE

Executive Member - Leader of the Council

1. Financial Monitoring

(Executive 20 April and 18 May 2004)

The Executive has received reports on the budget monitoring position to the end of March. This shows that the Council’s overall position is stable overall and that the overall forecast for the consolidated balances at the end of the year is £5.763m compared to £5.334m as reported previously. There is an increase in the overall Service Directorates’ carry forward position of £0.429m. The outturn position on Schools’ balances appears to be much better than they had been reporting and will certainly be significantly more than the forecast nil balances.

A full provisional outturn report for revenue and capital will be brought to the Executive in June.

2. Financial Control Systems

(Executive 4 May 2004)

The Executive has considered provision to strengthen income and debtors systems within Social & Health Care, to develop the SAP management information system and review overall financial management within the authority. The Director for Resources has been asked to commission consultants to advise on the future development of SAP, with the costs being met from balances. The Executive has endorsed the Chief Executive’s commissioning of a short external review of financial management within the authority, with the costs being met from balances. Reports on these two strands are expected to be brought to the Executive in September.

On the Social & Health Care financial systems, a project team has worked to ensure that all balance sheet reconciliations are done, that users of the Abacus financial information system have helpdesk support, that all data coming into Abacus is kept clean and that proper credit control is carried out. This is leading to streamlining of processes including putting many users on direct debit which will cut transaction costs. It is important that this work continues on a permanent basis so a supplementary estimate is requested for 2004/05, and this will need to be built into the budget process for 2005/06. The provisional proposal for this as reported to the Executive is for the appointment of four additional officers at an estimated cost of £104,000.

The Executive RECOMMENDS Council to approve the establishment of strengthened credit control arrangements in Social & Health Care, the cost to be funded by way of a supplementary estimate in 2004/05 and to be built into the budget for 2005/06 and future years.

3. Oxfordshire Community Strategy

(Executive 16 March 2004)

Part I of the Local Government Act 2000 places on local authorities a duty to prepare a community strategy for promoting or improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area, and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK. The draft Community Strategy for Oxfordshire has been prepared by the Oxfordshire Community Partnership and focuses on 8 areas: affordable housing; safe and supportive communities; transport; economy; recreation, culture and leisure; environment; education and lifelong learning; and health and well-being, the first three of these being identified as priority areas (the top priorities voted by the Oxfordshire Community Partnership Forum.)

The Executive has considered the draft Strategy in the light of the responses to consultation undertaken by the Partnership, together with the comments of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee following its consideration of the draft Strategy on 4 March. The Executive agreed to recommend the draft (taking into account the consultation responses and Scrutiny comments) to the Council for adoption, subject to any amendment that might be necessary in the light of views expressed at the Oxfordshire Community Partnership Forum to be held in May. (In the event, the draft was endorsed by the Forum and no further amendment has proved necessary.) The Strategy in its recommended final form is circulated (Annex 1) (download as .doc file).

The Council is RECOMMENDED to adopt the Oxfordshire Community Strategy.

4. Oxfordshire Plan 2004/05

(Executive 4 May 2004 and 1 June 2004)

The Oxfordshire Plan, which fulfils the statutory requirement to produce an annual Best Value Performance Plan, is one of the strategic plans which are subject to approval by full Council following consideration by both the Executive and relevant Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in the Constitution. The Plan is required to be approved and submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by the end of June.

On 4 May 2004 the Executive agreed an outline draft of the Plan along with key aspects for publication and invited the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee to comment at its meeting on 20 May 2004. The key points arising during the Scrutiny debate were reported to the Executive on I June and having considered those comments, the Executive has endorsed the approach taken to align the Oxfordshire Plan and the CPA self assessment and subject to further updating as mentioned in the report in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council. The updated Plan is circulated (Annex 2) (download as .doc file).

Accordingly the Executive RECOMMENDS Council to adopt the Oxfordshire Plan/Best Value Performance Plan and Programme.

5. Property Assets Review

(Executive 27 January 2004)

On 27 January 2004 the Executive considered a report on progress on this review and options for meeting the objectives which have been identified from the work undertaken to date. The Executive asked for further work on the options, including a financial appraisal, to allow a more detailed assessment of their robustness.

At the same time the Executive invited the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee to consider and comment on the further work. The Scrutiny Committee has subsequently received two reports (Annex 3 and Annex 4) and the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations, together with any advice the Council may wish to offer at this meeting, will be considered by the Executive at its 20 July 2004 meeting when it reviews the outcome of the further work to date.

6. Raising Our Performance 2

(Executive 18 May 2004)

The Executive has welcomed a report which shows that good progress has been made in implementing Raising Our Performance 2 - the County Council’s Improvement Plan.

Areas worthy of particular comment or where further action has proved necessary include: progress in developing a Human Resources Strategy to help meet the needs of both the Council and its employees; further work to address the need to develop a more corporate approach to employee development and improve manager effectiveness; a commitment to improving functionality, with an external review commissioned to aid this; and action taken to meet weaknesses in accounting procedures and income generation affecting Social & Health Care (see item 2 above) – as to which an additional success criterion has been included in the implementation plan.

7. Local Area Working

(Executive 18 May 2004)

The Executive has considered progress on local area working issues in Oxfordshire and possible further action in the context of the decisions of the County Council on 13 January 2004 that joint area forums in South Oxfordshire should continue for 2004/05 and that the opportunity to develop similar arrangements with other districts should be explored.

With county elections approaching the Executive has accepted that it is not appropriate to adopt a long term strategy, but has endorsed a limited number of proposals to take local area working forward. It has expressed support (in response to the City Council’s invitation) for formal County Council participation in area forums in Oxford, noting the need for resolution with the City Council of the detail of how that would operate; agreed the creation of a Communities Team in the Chief Executive’s Office to take forward further development work, provided that costs can be met from within existing resources or funding is agreed by Council in determining the budget for 2005/06; and has endorsed a short and medium term action plan.

8. Cornmarket Street, Oxford – Construction Costs

(Executive 4 May 2004)

On 6 April 2004 Council, on a motion by Councillor Power, urged the Executive to hold an inquiry into the escalating costs of the pedestrianisation works in Cornmarket. Following discussions with City Council members and consideration by the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group the Executive has agreed to:

1. pursue the suggestion of a joint scrutiny review;
2. request the Corporate Governance and/or Environment Scrutiny Committees to:
   
   

1. lead such a review;
2. invite the relevant City Council Scrutiny Committee(s) to participate also; and
3. determine with the City Council the terms on which the review should be carried out;
   
   
3. support the idea that the review should be independently chaired and should take place and report as quickly as possible;
4. authorise the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council to agree with the Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group arrangements for funding of the County Council’s share of the costs of the review.
   
   

(On 20 May 2004, noting that the City Council’s Finance Scrutiny Committee had indicated its willingness to participate in a joint scrutiny review, the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee agreed that it was the appropriate scrutiny committee to take the lead on behalf of the County Council, agreed a process for the review and appointed three members to a joint review group.)

Executive Member – Deputy Leader of the Council

9. Support For Key Worker Housing

(Executive 7 April 2004)

The Executive has approved detailed proposals for taking forward this element of the Local Public Service Agreement (the Local PSA) through the provision of loans to key workers under joint arrangements with the City Council and Keystart Housing Association.

Executive Member for Learning & Culture

10. 14-19 Education Provision in the Banbury Area

1. status quo;
2. closure of Drayton School with redistribution of provision to other local schools;
3. "merger" of Drayton School with local school(s) (closure of Drayton school with the creation of an expanded split site school based on one of the other three local schools);
4. merger of Drayton School with Oxford and Cherwell College;
5. collaborative framework of LEA schools and Oxford and Cherwell College; and
6. City Academy on the Drayton School Campus.

• to carry out further work on options (d) and (f), with the reorganisation of special school provision in Banbury as a variant;
• in consultation with the Executive Members for Schools and Learning & Culture, to explore potential Academy sponsors and establish a preference;
• to cooperate with the Local Learning & Skills Council in carrying out such further work as required in order to produce the final mini-Strategic Area Review report with detailed, costed option(s);
• to convene a meeting of local stakeholders and County, District and Town Councillors to consider the agreed framework for change;
• in conjunction with the Local Learning & Skills Council, to carry out formative consultations on any of the options confirmed as viable, reporting back on the outcome to the Executive to decide on how to proceed; and
• to convene a Seminar for all members of the County Council on the implications generally of City Academies and to invite a representative from the DfES to attend.

11. Adult Learning Plan 2004/05

(Executive 20 April 2004 and 18 May 2004)

The Adult Learning Plan 2004/05 is one of the Strategic Plans which are subject to approval by full Council following consideration by both the Executive and relevant Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in the Constitution. The contents of the Adult Learning Plan are prescribed by guidance from the Learning & Skills Council.

The Executive has considered and agreed a revised mission, aims and objectives and outline plans for main areas of activity in 2004-05 as the basis for the new Adult Learning Plan, for negotiation with and submission to the Local Learning & Skills Council. These were considered and welcomed by the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee on 11 May 2004.

An updated draft of the Plan is circulated (Annex 5) (download as .doc file) . The format of this complies with instructions given by the Local LSC.

The Executive RECOMMENDS the Council to approve the Adult Learning Plan 2004/05 for submission to the Learning & Skills Council.

Executive Member for Schools

12. Development Of Countywide Special School Provision

including Woodeaton Manor And Iffley Mead Schools

(Executive 7 April 2004))

In the light of the response to consultation with schools, parents and partners on a package of proposals for Woodeaton Manor, Iffley Mead and Northfield special schools and an examination of planning and conservation issues in relation to the Woodeaton Manor building, the Executive has agreed to:

1. approve the publication of statutory notices in relation to:
   
   

1. the proposal to redesignate Woodeaton Manor as a school for 40 day pupils and 17 residential pupils with emotional/social difficulties requiring a therapeutic approach;
2. the proposal to reduce the number of pupils at Northfield School from 80 to 60;
   
   
2. take appropriate action to find a new site for Northfield School; and
3. commission a Conservation Plan in relation to Woodeaton Manor School.
   
   

Any representations arising from the statutory notice of the proposals will be considered by the Executive on 6 July 2004.

13. Strategy for Behaviour Support and Inclusion in Oxfordshire

(Executive 4 May 2004)

The Executive has approved a Behaviour Support Plan, developed following meetings of the multi-agency Behaviour and Inclusion Working Group. The new strategies and proposals build on and further strengthen the continuum of support for pupils with behaviour and attendance difficulties.

The three relevant Executive Members have written to all LEA-appointed school governors, drawing their attention to the fact that the educational attainment of pupils with statements of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties is poorer in Oxfordshire schools than elsewhere and underlining the importance of the Council’s strategy for behavioural support and the importance attached by the Council to inclusion issues.

14. Education Asset Management Plan

(Executive 7 April 2004)

The Executive has approved the Authority’s Statement of Priorities for the purpose of the Council’s capital and revenue investment in school buildings for 2004/05 onwards.

Executive Member for Transport

15. A34 Scoping Study

• Option 1 – No Further Study – this would leave a significant number of the identified problems unresolved;
• Option 2 – Localised/Focused Studies for Route Sections – one section would cover nearly all the route within Oxfordshire, would consider the urban areas and the effects of continued growth and would take account of the rail line, bus services, Park and Ride and the potential GTE service;
• Option 3 – Whole Corridor Study – this would assess the range of pressures, issues and constraints affecting the whole of the A34 road and the parallel rail corridor;
• Option 4 – Focused Studies with Strategic Considerations – this would provide detailed land use/transport studies for the two sections facing the greatest pressures, namely South Hampshire and Oxfordshire, with less detailed coverage of the remaining route sections.

Executive Member for Sustainable Development

16. Regional and Sub-Regional Planning

(Executive 4 May 2004)

The Executive has considered progress on the preparation of the South East Plan, and in particular the work on sub-regional studies for Central Oxfordshire and the Western Corridor. The decisions taken by the Council’s representatives on the Central Oxfordshire and Western Corridor Sub Regional Studies were endorsed on the basis that such endorsement did not imply acceptance of any particular level of growth in the area, but recognised the need for proper co-ordinated planning which would ensure that the necessary investment in infrastructure took place in advance of or in parallel with any development. Officers were asked to respond as appropriate to the SEERA discussion papers in consultation with the Executive Members for Sustainable Development and Transport, and to take steps to raise the level of public awareness and debate in relation to the South East Plan and related issues. The Executive was concerned that the timetable appeared rushed and was likely to militate against public involvement.

17. Regional Minerals and Waste Management Strategies

(Executive 18 May 2004)

A response has been made to a consultation by the South East England Regional Assembly which sought comments on two sets of proposed Alterations to Regional Planning Guidance, South East: a Regional Minerals Strategy; and a Regional Waste Management Strategy.

The Regional Minerals Strategy and Regional Waste Management Strategy generally provide a regional policy framework that will help the development of minerals and waste policy at county level and, subject to some detailed comments, the Executive considers that the policies are largely to be welcomed. However, the proposed aggregates apportionment is based on a flawed methodology and places an unfair and unacceptable burden on Oxfordshire and a strong objection has been raised to that proposal. Objections have also been made to policies in both strategies which would undermine protection of the green belt, and to the increased recycling targets for municipal waste as it is not clear how they relate to national targets and whether they are achievable.

18. South East Regional Housing Strategy

(Executive 1 June 2004)

The Executive has endorsed a formal response to the South East Regional Housing Board Green Paper A Step Forward in Housing. The Green Paper is a very important first stage in formulating the Regional Housing Strategy and covers a wide range of themes, including affordability, key worker housing, sub-regions, housing markets and growth areas, rural housing, neighbourhood management and equality and diversity. Overall, the inclusion of such issues is welcome. This allows housing development in the South East to be seen in its wider sense – there is a danger that it could be perceived that the current housing situation in the South East could be solved through increasing dwelling numbers alone – and this is clearly not the case. Who the new dwellings are for, where they are built and by whom, and how the economic, social and environmental considerations are weighted are equally important.

19. Economic Development Action Plan 2004/05-2006/07

KEITH R MITCHELL
Leader of the Council

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