______________________________________

________________________________

To Members of the Executive

Notice of a Meeting of the Executive

Tuesday 19 March 2002 at 2.00 pm

County Hall, Oxford

Chris Impey
Assistant Chief Executive

Contact officer: Deborah Mitchell (Tel: 01865 815463; E-mail)

Membership

The Agenda follows.Decisions taken at the meeting
will become effective at the end of the working day on 27 March 2002
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.

AGENDA

Addenda

Addenda (resumed meeting) - 21 March 2002

Apologies for Absence

Declarations of Interest



Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2002 (EX3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

Petitions and Public Address

Budget Monitoring

The Executive is Recommended to receive the report;

Recommendations will be set out in the Supplementary report in respect of

1. the rules for virement limits and supplementary estimates (Supplement A); and
2. the Social Services (Supplement B) and Environment budgets.
   
   Supplement C
   

Review of Local Area Structures

1. to develop area fora of an advisory and consultative nature, linking in with district council area structures as appropriate;
2. that arrangements for running a pilot should be developed in one Oxfordshire district council area in partnership with the district council, and in accordance with the proposed timetable;
3. to agree in principle the proposal for the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot;
4. that, when the arrangements have been drawn up for conducting the pilot, the Executive be asked to identify and allocate appropriate resources;
5. that the Review Panel and the Departmental Consultative Group should continue beyond the timescale set out for this review, and that they should work together to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the pilot;
6. that, based on the conclusions of the pilot evaluation, the Committee should consider proposals for the development of area fora across the county, investigate whether delegated powers should be given and report back to the Council; and
7. to agree in principle the guidelines for the involvement of councillors and officers in district council area structures operated outside the pilot area and according to the timescale proposed.

Review of Support for Members

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 7/2002
Contact Officer: Derek Bishop, Head of Democratic Services (01865 815889)

The Chief Executive reports as follows:

In agreeing the new political management arrangements last Autumn the Council decided that a review should be undertaken of the support that is, or could be, provided to members to help them

in serving their communities. The review has been carried out under the auspices of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee who on 7 March 2002 considered the report of the Panel which they had set up to consider the issues and make recommendations. The Panel’s report is copied herewith (EX7). The Committee decided to recommend Council:

(a) to accept the findings of the panel for the support of members set out at paragraph 18 of the report having regard to the resource implications identified at paragraphs 19 and 20;

(b) in relation to the Community Initiatives Fund (paragraph 18(f)), to carry out an audit of existing funds available to support such initiatives; and

(c) to review in 18 months’ time the support that is provided to members.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to consider what (if any) comments to make to Council on the Review Panel’s report and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.

Review of Consultative Arrangements

1. the timing of the review coincided with a consultation audit being carried out by the Corporate Consultation Officer; and
2. the amount of time given to the review was very short and it was not possible for the Panel to undertake consultation with any stakeholder community.

• reconvene when the consultation audit is completed to review its findings; and
• consider the findings resulting from the work identified in paragraph 5(b)-(e) of the report,

Social Inclusion and Equalities

I therefore make the following recommendations:

1. that the Social Inclusion Working Group and Equal Opportunities Working Party should be replaced by a single Member/Officer Working Group, dealing with both Social Inclusion and Equalities (other than employment issues);
2. that the Working Group should consist of representatives of all Departments together with the Deputy Leader of the Council and a member appointed by the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee;
3. that a new Equalities post should be created, noting the financial implications for 2003-4;
4. that no long-term decision should be taken on the future of the Ethnic Minorities Consultative Committee until the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee reports on consultation generally, and meanwhile that former members of the Sub-Committee should be invited to an informal meeting with the Executive where they could make representations to the Executive on service issues;
5. that there should be a review of the working arrangements of access officers across the Council, the details to be decided when the new Equalities Officer is in post.

Quality Protects Management Action Plan

Executive Member: Children & Young People
Forward Plan Ref: 199/2001
Contact Officer: Phil Hodgson, Assistant Director, Children & Families (01865 815833)

The Assistant Director of Social Services reports as follows:

The draft Quality Protects Management Action Plan (MAP) was considered by the Executive on 22 January 2002. Some minor amendments were made to the Plan before submission to the Department of Health, by the deadline of 31 January 2002, but on the basis that the MAP would need to be ratified subsequently by full Council under the procedures laid down in the Constitution. A copy of the MAP as submitted to the Department of Health is in the Members’ Resource Centre.

Initial feedback from the Department of Health indicates the MAP is acceptable. If problems had been identified with it, the Authority would have been asked to do more work and re-submit the MAP. The next stage of the process is for the Management Action Plans to be considered by the Minister at the end of March 2002, and I understand an announcement is anticipated in the first two weeks of April. This is when the Council will know whether the Quality Protects grant of £3.4m has been allocated to Oxfordshire.

Officers will comment at the meeting on the representations of the Scrutiny Committee.

The MAP was considered at the Health & Social Care Scrutiny Committee on 26 February 2002. The Committee agreed to:

1. urge the Executive to carefully monitor the funding allocation of £2.13m for Leaving Care Services and ask them to make every effort to ascertain the permanency of funding for the programme; and
2. request the Executive to have regard to how the Council’s objectives for Quality Protects are monitored in light of the change in political management arrangements.

1. consider what response to make to the comments of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee and advise Council accordingly;
2. subject to (a) above, RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Quality Protects Management Action Plan.

Learning Disability Joint Investment Plan 2002

Executive Member: Community Care & Health
Forward Plan Ref: 183/2001
Contact Officer: Alan Sinclair, Head of Service (Disabilities) (01865 815753)

Report by Director of Social Services (EX11).

Following the publication of the White Paper "Valuing People – A Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" in March 2001, local authorities were required to prepare by 31 January 2002 an update of their Learning Disability Joint Investment Plan (JIP). The JIP includes a Local Action Plan for the implementation of the White Paper and plans for the use of the revenue funding and bids for the capital funding for the Learning Disability Development Fund. A copy of the plan is in the Members’ Resource Centre and is available for public inspection.

This report gives a summary of Valuing People, describes the key features of the Local Action Plan, and outlines the new Learning Disability Development Fund and the Department of Health priorities for the use of this funding and the recommendations for the use of this funding.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to endorse the Local Action Plan as summarised in the report, and in particular the proposals set out for the use of revenue funding, the bid for capital funding and the setting up of a pooled budget for learning disability services.

Education Development Plan 2002-07

Executive Member: Schools
Forward Plan Ref: 23/2002
Contact Officer: Louise Goll, Senior Advisor, School & Service Monitoring (01865 428116)

The Acting Chief Education Officer reports as follows:

A report was submitted to the Executive on 22 January which presented the draft Education Development Plan (EDP) 2002-2007. The Executive adopted the EDP as its initial proposals for the Plan and instructed that the Plan be referred to the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee for comment in time to report to this meeting. The Executive also agreed that in the meantime, the draft be sent to the Secretary of State for Education & Skills by the 31 January 2002 deadline, but on the basis that the Plan would need to be ratified subsequently by the full Council, in order to comply with government regulations. The draft EDP, was submitted to the Department for Education & Skills on 31 January 2002. A copy submission has been circulated to members of the Executive and a copy has been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre. A copy is also available for public inspection.

The Scrutiny Committee are meeting on 12 March and their comments will be reported at the meeting.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. consider what response to make to any comments from the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee and advise Council accordingly;
2. subject to (a) above, RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Education Development Plan 2002-07.

The Adult Learning Plan 2002/03

1. approve the principles outlined in the report for the Adult Learning Plan for 2002-03, Second Submission, and authorise its submission to the Learning & Skills Council;
2. subject to (c) below, approve the implementation of the proposals, so far as funded;
3. authorise the Executive Member for Learning & Culture to approve, any changes requested by the Learning and Skills Council after submission;
4. authorise the creation of new local and central posts, as described in the report, subject to the level of additional, bid-for, LSC funding.

School Budgets

Executive Member: Schools
Forward Plan Ref: 51/2002
Contact Officer: Roy Smith, Deputy Acting Chief Education Officer (01865 815457)

Report by Acting Chief Education Officer (EX14).

On 5 February 2002, Council resolved to: "instruct the Executive to examine and consult on ways, within the schools’ devolved budget formula, to find and implement, in the 2002/03 financial year, ways of compensating schools without sixth forms for the financial disadvantage they will suffer under the new Learning and Skills Council’s post 16 funding arrangements".

It will not be possible to introduce changes for 2002/03 as budgets were due to be sent out to arrive at schools for Friday 8 March. Additionally, even if some clear proposals could be determined, there would need to be full and proper consultation, which time does not allow. The report therefore proposes a fairly comprehensive review of the formula for 2003/04, but in the meantime it has been possible to make provision to offset a significant proportion of the disadvantages which will be experienced by schools in 2002/03.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. note that changes to the funding formula cannot be changed for 2002/03, but that additional funds have now become available which will be targeted towards Key Stages 2 and 3 in that year;
2. ask officers to report back to the Executive with proposals for changing the formula for 2003/04 in line with the Council’s instructions and in the light of other developments likely to take effect in that year, for consultation with schools and other interested parties.

Call In: Transport to Henley College

1. increasing post-16 transport charges across the whole county to £41 per term and in notifying schools and students of the decision draw attention to the discrepancy between the charges for Oxfordshire students and the higher levels applying in neighbouring authorities;
2. requiring Henley College to adopt a transport tendering procedure involving competitive bids; and
3. asking officers to continue negotiations with public transport providers in order to increase the use of travel to Henley College by public transport where this is available and cost-effective.

Education Capital Projects

Executive Member: Schools
Forward Plan Ref: 41/2002
Contact Officer: Michael Mill, Senior Education Officer, Premises Development (01865 428161)

Report by Acting Chief Education Officer (EX16).

The Acting Chief Education Officer seeks approval of the following Project Appraisals (EX16).

ED527 - Oxford City Schools Reorganisation – St Aloysius RC (Aided) First School

ED563/1 - Wheatley Park School – Replacement of HORSA Building and ‘condemned’ temporary classroom unit with a new 8-classroom block

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to approve the Project Appraisals.

Fire Cover Provision : Henley

Executive Member: Community Safety
Forward Plan Ref: 120A/2001
Contact Officer: John Parry, Chief Fire Officer (01865 855205)

Report by Chief Fire Officer (EX17).

Historically it has been difficult to maintain a full crewing complement at Henley. This places an unacceptable strain on our firefighters, together with their families. Consequences of low crewing levels are that unavailability of the fire appliance is extremely high. Provision of fire cover in this way is not sustainable. Meetings have been held with the Town Council and staff at Henley together with concerted efforts made by the brigade to recruit and, crucially, to retain staff. This has not been successful in the longer term.

It is proposed to enter into a contract with one of the adjoining brigades (Buckinghamshire or Royal Berkshire) for the provision of a second fire appliance to attend structure fires as need arises. Provision in this way will fulfil the attendance times required by the Home Office/DTLR. Further efforts to recruit staff will continue. The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. agree that current fire cover provision in Henley is not sustainable, due to the lack of staff able to be recruited and retained;
2. subject to (c) below authorise the Chief Fire Officer to:

1. apply to the Secretary of State for a reduction in the Oxfordshire Fire Service Establishment Scheme by one frontline pumping appliance, and a concurrent reduction in the Establishment Scheme number of retained firefighters required for Henley; and
2. negotiate the terms of an agreement for the provision by either the Royal Berkshire or Buckinghamshire brigades of a second fire appliance to attend structure fires for Henley on the basis outlined in the report;

3. authorise the Chief Fire Officer to take such action to implement measures to ensure effective and safe fire cover for Henley and the immediate surrounding areas as may appear to him, with the agreement of the Executive Member for Community Safety, to be appropriate in the light of the outcome of (b) above and further consultation with relevant staff and their union representatives.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue

Service – Collaboration With Other Services

Executive Member: Community Safety
Forward Plan Ref: 120/2001
Contact Officer: John Parry, Chief Fire Officer (01865 855205)

Report by Chief Fire Officer (EX18).

Partnership working is now well established within the Fire Service with many examples being in place across County Council Departments. In addition, the DTLR have strongly indicated that there should be inter-brigade collaboration where it makes sense to do so. Again, Oxfordshire is a leader in this area, having established a trainee firefighter course with three other brigades and a joint procurement contract for the supply of a managed uniform service to be signed shortly.

The Chief Officers of the three Thames Valley brigades (Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire) have met with their respective management teams to determine what further areas of collaborative working could realistically achieve positive outcomes. Six major areas have been identified covering: service delivery, procurement, recruitment and training, human resources, health and safety and information/communication.

The approach will be to improve the effectiveness of the Services by appropriate harmonisation of policies, procedures and best practice together with the sharing of information, resources, knowledge, expertise and assets. Perceived benefits are improved effectiveness, reduction of duplication, reduction of organisational stress, optimising resources, increasing efficiency and increased capacity.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise the Chief Fire Officer to progress collaborative working projects which may include change to working practices and employment contracts (subject to the outcome being beneficial to Oxfordshire County Council and the community it serves), subject in all cases to consultation and negotiation as appropriate, to ensure that the views of staff are taken into account and that County Council policies are not compromised.

Highway Maintenance Programme 2002/2003

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. endorse the details of the 2002/03 Highway Maintenance Programme as set out in Annex 1 to the report,
2. approve the Oxford City Council’s Section 42 estimate as modified and shown in Column B of Annex 2; and
3. approve the Detailed Project Appraisal for Highway Maintenance Schemes 2002/03 set out in Annex 3.

Draft Highway Management Policies

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 125/2001
Contact Officer: Richard Dix (01865 815663)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX20).

This report proposes a Manual setting out the main policies that apply to the maintenance and management of County roads in Oxfordshire. It will help define the level of service provision and protocols that apply to Highway Management, and will be a valuable reference for officers, Members, Parish councils and the community.

The need for a comprehensive policy document was identified during last year’s Highway Maintenance Best Value Review and in the Department’s Service Plan. The release of a new national Code of Practice for Maintenance Management has placed even greater significance on the need to formalise our policies. The Highway Management Policy Manual defines our minimum levels of public service provision and consequently provides a defence in respect of public liability claims.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. subject to (b) below, agree that the Director of Environmental Services circulate the draft Manual for consultation as outlined in the report, and continue to develop the document before reporting back to the Executive in October 2002 for approval of the final version of the Manual;
2. Identify any additional topics to be covered by the Manual;
3. refer the draft Manual to Environment Scrutiny Committee for comment as part of the consultation.

Call In: Carterton, Witney and Oxford – Public Transport Link

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 102/2001 and 101/2001
Contact Officer: Mark Jarman (01865 815094)

On 6 February 2002 the Executive decided:

1. to endorse the findings of the consultants’ report that the reinstatement of a heavy rail link along the disused rail line between Brize Norton and Yarnton would not be viable but that options involving either a GTE (Guided Bus) or Light Rail system were worthy of more detailed study;
2. to welcome the consultants’ offer of a joint presentation of the study findings to interested County and District Members at the District Council offices in Witney and ask officers to make the arrangements;
3. to ask officers, in light of the Government’s response to the bid for the proposed A40 bus lane, to undertake a broad review of the short and longer term options for improving transport links between West Oxfordshire and Oxford, including the possible incorporation of the guided bus or light rail proposals identified by the consultants and to report back with preliminary recommendations within four months;
4. that work on the A40 Bus Lane should concentrate for the time being on its possible future integration into a light railway or GTE link;
5. that the study of a link from A40/A34, thus enabling much traffic to avoid the congested Wolvercote Roundabout, be conducted as part of the process over the next four months.

The decision has been called in for consideration by the Environment Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Council’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in the Constitution. The reason given is "that the decision eliminated at least one of the options looked at by the consultants without sufficient consideration and debate. We believe that the option of heavy rail link should remain in consideration."

The Environment Scrutiny Committee meets on 13 March 2002 to consider the call in and the outcome will be reported at this meeting of the Executive.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to consider any concerns that may be expressed by the Scrutiny Committee.

A422 Banbury Hennef Way Dualling

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 154/2001
Contact Officer: Colin Baird (01865 815536)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX22).

This report seeks the approval of the Executive to enter into a Works Agreement with Railtrack relating to the new bridge required for the construction of Hennef Way Dualling. The Works Agreement exposes the County Council to future liabilities relating to upgrading of the railway line, but Railtrack insists on a Works Agreement before it will agree to sell the land it owns that is needed for the construction of the road. Agreement has been reached on the acquisition of all the remaining land and this is the final step required before the contract can be awarded.

The need for "works agreements" with Railtrack is common practice and it is understandable that Railtrack seeks to protect its future interests in the event that a major upgrading of the line is proposed. The County Council would seek similar agreements if a new railway were being proposed, crossing a road that may need to be improved.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise the completion of a "Works Agreement" with Railtrack plc that includes clauses 24.1, 24.2 and 24.3 as set out in Annex 1, subsequent to written confirmation that the Hennef Way bridge is not affected by the upgrading proposals by Strategic Rail Authority.

Cross Thames Travel Study Group

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: -
Contact Officer: Peter Mann (01865 815479)

The Director of Environmental Services reports as follows:

The Cross Thames Travel Study was sets up in October 1998 to address transport issues across the Wallingford to Marlow stretch of the Thames. It is overseen by a Steering Group comprising member and officer representatives from the five local authorities covering the study area. Two of the members have come from Oxfordshire County Council and one from South Oxfordshire District Council, balancing the three members from the authorities south of the River.

On 6 November 2001 the Executive agreed that the previously appointed representatives of the County Council - Councillors Brian Law and Terry Joslin – should for the time being continue to serve on the Steering Group. However, discussions have recently taken place on a possible change whereby – in view of the strategic importance of the issues covered by the Study – the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management would take the place of the present representatives (who have been canvassed in the course of the discussions.)

The main study is now largely complete and the final report is expected within the coming few weeks. It is the aim to convene the Steering Group as soon as the report is received, and there is therefore an element of urgency in settling the Council’s future representation on the Group.

This item has not been included in the Forward Plan; however, it is not considered that the decision being sought amounts to a key decision, and it is therefore open to the Executive to consider the report and determine the recommendation.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to appoint the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management (or their respective nominees) to represent the Council on the Cross Thames Travel Study Steering Group, with immediate effect.

Cotswold Line Rail Study

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. agree to fund a contribution of up to £30,000 to the Cotswold and Malverns Transport Partnership in the 2002-03 financial year for development costs in preparing a submission to the Strategic Rail Authority for the upgrading of the Cotswold Line; and
2. note the expectation of a significant Capital contribution by the County Council towards the future upgrading of the Cotswold Line, should the submission by the Cotswold and Malverns Partnership to the Strategic Rail Authority be successful, subject to further detailed report on the likely costs and financing implications in the context of the benefits to Oxfordshire.

Better Ways to School – Cycle Routes Outside

Headington Junior School

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 8A/2002
Contact Officer: David Clough (01865 815743)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX25).

The report details the response to the consultation on footway conversion and the associated cycle and pedestrian issues along the section of the London Road corridor adjacent to Headington Junior School and seeks approval to the implementation of the scheme and promotion of the conversion of the footway to shared use.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. approve the implementation of the scheme in principle as shown in Annex 2 subject to the determination of the final design by the Director of Environmental Services following Safety Audit procedures; and
2. authorise the conversion to shared use footway/cycle track of the lengths of footways as shown in Annex 2 under Section 66(4) and 65(1) of the Highways Act 1980.

Banbury: Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading

1. authorise the implementation of the advertised waiting and loading restrictions subject to the following minor modifications:

1. amendment of the operational times of the goods vehicle loading bay on the north side of Bridge Street to 4pm – 11am on every day of the week; and
2. omission of the proposed waiting prohibitions in Hightown Road;

2. authorise the promotion of amended proposals for Hightown Road taking account of the representations received and the views of the police, subject to consideration of any further objections or representations by the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and the local member.

Hanwell Fields Cycle Network - Banbury

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 8A/2002
Contact Officer: Mike Wasley (01865 810464)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX27).

This report discusses the proposed Hanwell Fields Cycle Network, linking the new Hanwell Fields Housing Development to Banbury Town Centre, and also discusses the results of the recent consultation on the B4100 Warwick Road Toucan Crossing, which raised some additional points, ie that the Toucan should be moved closer to Drayton School and the 30mph speed limit should be extended to the new roundabout at the Hanwell Fields Access.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. authorise implementation of the proposals as described in the report and shown in Annexes 1 and 2, subject to the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and relevant local member(s) considering any representations arising from consultations on elements of the proposals yet to be undertaken and deciding whether modifications should be made to the proposals as a result;
2. authorise the conversion of the lengths of footways required for implementation of the proposals described in the report to shared use footway/cycle track, under Sections 66(4) and 65(1) of the Highways Act, 1980

27. St Giles and Beaumont Street,Oxford Coach Stopping Points
    

1. authorise the making of an order to give permanent effect to the experimental coach stopping points in St. Giles and Beaumont Street, subject to the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport agreeing the detailed design of the permanent scheme and associated safety measures:
2. and to seek in liaison with Oxford City Council, as Planning Authority, a long-term solution to the accommodation of tourist coaches.

Pedestrian Crossing Facilities

Executive Member: Transport
Forward Plan Ref: 8A/2001
Contact Officer: Andy Nellist (01865 815789)

Report by Director of Environmental Services (EX29).

This report considers the progress on new pedestrian crossings, including the results of consultation where appropriate.

It seeks authorisation for the detailed design and implementation of pedestrian crossings in; Wallingford Road, Goring; Eastern Bypass, Thame; and Charlton Road, Wantage. Further investigations will be undertaken into possible crossings in Blackbird Leys Road in Oxford and Bridge Street, Witney, and the report notes the inclusion of a possible crossing on Banbury Road, Bicester within the scope of the Bicester Integrated Transport Strategy.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:-

1. authorise the detailed design and provision of a Zebra Crossing or Pelican Crossing on Wallingford Road, Goring, as discussed in the report, subject to Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and the Local Member considering any objections or other representations and determining any consequential action;
2. approve the detailed design and construction of a Pelican Crossing on Eastern Bypass, Thame, as discussed in the report, subject to the implementation of a 40 mph speed limit on this section of road;
3. approve the detailed design and construction of a Zebra Crossing on Charlton Road, Wantage, as discussed in the report, subject to the Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and the Local Member, considering any objections or other representations made during the final stages of the consultation and determining any consequential action;
4. note the position regarding the crossings at Blackbird Leys, Bicester and Witney.

Collective Purchasing Agency

Executive Member: Leader of the Council
Forward Plan Ref: 20/2002
Contact Officer: Bill Stewart (01865 815994)

The Director for Business Support & County Treasurer reports as follows:

At the meeting on 8 January 2002 the Executive agreed that an item raised by Councillor Brian Hodgson, on the possibility of pursuing with the County Councils’ Network the idea of a collective Council Purchasing Agency, be referred to the Committee to advise the Executive at this meeting.

The Scrutiny Committee considered this matter on 7 March, when it was reported that the CCN do not have any current initiatives or projects relating to this issue as there is a large body of work already under way on this subject being led by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and in which the Local Government Association has taken a close interest. Background information submitted to the Scrutiny Committee relating to the work being carried out by the IDeA for local authorities on an electronic one-stop shopping mall and the County Council’s current involvement in the Central Buying Consortium is copied herewith (EX30).

The Scrutiny Committee decided to recommend the Executive to progress the matter further, with the proviso that the Council should seek to retain the flexibility to buy locally and to follow green procurement policies.

The Executive is RECOMMENDED to consider the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee and decide what action to take in that light.

Forward Plan and Future Business

March 2002

ADDENDA

ITEM

Order of Business

Petitions & Public Address

Request from		Agenda Item
Mrs Margaret Booth on behalf of St. John Street residents. Mr William Donger, FPD Savills, on behalf of St. John’s College The Revd. Tim Gardner, Blackfriars 4. Frank Watson on behalf of Broad Street Traders Association	) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )	28 – St Giles and Beaumont Street, Oxford Coach Stopping Points

Request from	Agenda Item
Councillor Brian Hodgson	5 - Budget Monitoring 9 - Social Inclusion and Equalities.
Councillor Ted Cooper	5 - Budget Monitoring
Councillor Jim Moley	29 - Pedestrian Crossing Facilities (Charlton Road Wantage)

Budget Monitoring

• Supplement A – Virement Arrangements – Report by the Director for Business Support & County Treasurer
• Supplement B – Social Services Budget Proposals - Report by the Director of Social Services and Director for Business Support & County Treasurer
• Supplement C – Budget Monitoring 2001/02 and Budget 2002/03 - Report by the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council

ADDENDA (RESUMED MEETING)

ITEM

Order of Business

28 St Giles and Beaumont Street, Oxford Coach Stopping Points

Mrs Margaret Booth on behalf of St. John Street residents. Mr William Donger, FPD Savills, on behalf of St. John’s College The Revd. Tim Gardner, Blackfriars Frank Watson on behalf of Broad Street Traders Association

Education Development Plan 2002-07

• The EDP was a school development plan which focused primarily on action to improve areas of weakness, rather than covering all education activities which the LEA supported (for example, the education of traveller/ethnic minority children, religious education, SEN).
• Attention was drawn to Council’s decision in February 2002 to instruct the Executive to examine and consult on ways, within the schools’ devolved budget formula, to find and implement in the 2002/03 financial year, ways of compensating schools without 6^th forms for the financial disadvantage they will suffer under the new Learning and Skills Council’s post-16 funding mechanism. The Committee agreed to invite a representative of the Learning & Skills Council to their next meeting.
• The inclusion of SEN children in mainstream/Specialist schools was an important issue.
• The role and benefits of Specialist schools in Oxfordshire should be emphasised.
• In raising achievement, the use of ICT by children and teachers supported by the introduction of broadband and the necessary training was seen as a crucial factor for success.
• The challenges presented to achieve targets for improvement within the present staffing establishment (paragraph 24 of the report) required further information in relation to resource implications - case studies could be helpful.
• The challenges presented in mapping under-achievement were recognised, as were the benefits of seeking out best practice and areas of excellence. The dissemination of practice in Education Action Zones was supported.
• It was recognised that fixed term exclusions contributed to permanent exclusions/ unauthorised absences.
• The important contribution of the Diocese to education in Oxfordshire was acknowledged.
• The reporting process for the Evaluation Strategy (page 188) should include the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee.
• Reference to local (as opposed to national) educational priorities needed to be enhanced.

The Adult Learning Plan 2002/03

Call In: Transport to Henley College

1. contact the Learning & Skills Council to fund 16-19 transport; and
2. go back to the £25 transport charge across the whole County in the light of Henley College’s comments in relation to their subsidy.

Call In: Carterton, Witney and Oxford – Public Transport Link

Pedestrian Crossing Facilities Charlton Road Wantage

31. Forward Plan & Future Business

Financial Management Arrangements	40/2002	Defer to 30 April
Review of Publications	14/2002	Defer to 16 April
Education Capital Projects Icknield Community College; Langtree School Matthew Arnold; Nettlebed Replacement	49/2002	Defer to 14 May Brought Forward
Education Capital Programme 2002/03-2004/05	59/2002	Defer to 16 April
Vulnerable Road Users’ Audit	126/2001	Defer to 11 June
Strategic Outside Bodies – South East England Regional Assembly Representation in 2002/03	-	Additional Item

Capital Programme Update in the light of progress on capital projects and the latest position on resources	-	Additional Item
Education Capital Programme 2002/03-2004/05	59/2002	Deferred from 3 April
Review of Publications	14/2002	Deferred from 3 April
Organisational Issues at a Maintained School	197/2001	Additional Item
Public Service Agreements	4/2002	Defer to 11 June

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