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ITEM EX3

EXECUTIVE – 3 APRIL 2002

EXECUTIVE – 19 MARCH 2002

Minutes of the Meeting commencing at 2.00 pm and finishing at 4.45 pm and adjourned until Thursday 21 March 2002 commencing at 3.00 pm and finishing at 5.35 pm

Present:

The Executive considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting, together with schedules of addenda tabled at the meeting and decided as set out below. Except insofar as otherwise specified, the reasons for the decisions are contained in the agenda, reports and schedules, copies of which are attached to the signed Minutes.

116/02. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence from that part of the meeting held on 21 March 2002 was received from Councillor Neil Fawcett.

117/02. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 March 2002 were approved and signed.

118/02. ORDER OF BUSINESS

RESOLVED: to vary the order of business as indicated in these minutes.

119/02. PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:-

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

The addresses on Item 28 are recorded below at the relevant Minute (see Minute 130/02).

120/02. Budget Monitoring

(Agenda Item EX5)

The Executive considered a report which presented the overall financial position of the Council in 2001/02, set out the financial issues identified to date and updated the Executive on progress towards achieving the 2001/02 budget targets. The Executive also considered three supplementary reports EX5A, EX5B and EX5C which, respectively, proposed virement arrangements for 2002/03 including specific proposals for Environmental Services; proposed changes to the Social Services budget within the overall level approved by Council in February; and gave an overview by the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council in introducing the report EX6C stressed that the Council’s position remained extremely tight, with spending pressures in a number of areas and uncertainty around several budget heads, and it was vital that all areas of the Council exercise strong financial management. He emphasised that there was not room for overspending in 2002/03.

Introducing the report on the Social Services budget (EX5B), Mr Welch reported that the approved budget for 2002/03 gave Social Services some scope to meet the pressures that the department would face in the coming year. He stressed that the fundamental problems underlying the Department’s present position, and the officers' approach to drawing up the proposals now before the Executive, were a continuing high level of growth in demand for services, leading to the provision of too high a level of services for the money available, with inadequate systems to show how this was happening. The FINE proposals were aimed at changing this.

He outlined the approach that the Department’s Senior Management Team had used, and the principles and the factors considered in preparing the proposals that were before the Executive. He stressed that drawing the proposals up had been a very difficult and taxing undertaking for all the staff involved. The proposals set the basis for a significant but necessary reshaping of social services provision in the county, which would allow for greater consistency and stability in how they were able to deal with new demand, as well as meeting continuing responsibilities to those already receiving services.

He acknowledged that as a result of these proposals, there would be many difficulties to be faced by service users, carers and members, and there would be many hard choices and decisions to be made by the Department’s staff, who continued to work with commitment and skill in very difficult circumstances.

Mr Gerrish outlined the key financial issues.

Councillor Hodgson urged the Executive, before referring the proposals to the Council, to reconsider the withdrawal of funding from resource centres for children with disability; to defer the refurbishment of County Hall and transfer the money saved to the Social Services budget; to take forward the proposals for a Collective Purchasing Agreement which had potential to have a major impact on the Council’s budget; and to look again at virements from school reserves.

Councillor Ted Cooper raised a number of questions and concerns about the Social Services budget proposals and their potential implications: their achievability, bearing in mind that FINE training would not start until April; the further reduction in children’s homes provision; the closure of resource centres for children with disability and the effect on joint working with Barnado's; ceasing financial support for homeless families; the reduction in the number of residential or nursing homes care places for older people; the cessation of night care, and whether adjustment of hours should be preferred; the combined effect of reducing both residential places for the elderly and services to support them in the community and the need to ensure a correct balance; the need to look individually at service level agreements for voluntary services for physical disability support to see where services could be maintained even at a reduced level of funding; reductions in funding for learning disability support when the Best Value review had concluded that savings could not be found; the lack of quantification of the savings expected from reducing learning disability support; and the limited help that could be expected from the health sector for learning disability services. He concluded by suggesting that contributions should be sought from elsewhere (eg from District Councils where they placed special value on particular services) in order to "buy time" until financial pressures eased.

Relevant Social Services officers responded to members' comments and questions.

Mr Hodgson reported that a total reduction of 16 residential places for children was possible. In relation to the resource centres, he had spoken with the Regional Director of Barnardo’s who had undertaken to look constructively at the scope for adjusting services within a reduced level of funding. There would however be an effect on some centres and a reduction in respite care.

In relation to homeless families, Mr Hodgson reported that the County Council were currently supporting 21 families with 46 children. Notice had been given to all the families of the cessation of financial support, following which most had found some form of accommodation which meant that the children would not be entering the looked after system. He was still working with 9 families and was optimistic about the outcome.

In relation to the balance between residential and preventative care for older people, Mrs Brown advised that officers would be looking positively at developing services to reduce long term dependency, but a certain level of residential provision needed to be maintained. In relation to the cessation of night care services, Mrs Brown reported that the possibility of joint funding with the health sector of an evening service had been investigated, but it had not been possible to identify the resources to fund this.

Mr Sinclair confirmed that officers would be looking at each service level agreement for physical disability support on an individual basis and that a blanket reduction was not intended.

In response to questions and suggestions by members as to virement form capital and other sources, the Director of Business Support & County Treasurer indicated that although he would be prepared to explore any realistic possibilities, his advice remained that there was little scope for manoeuvre. He strongly recommended against committing resources against unconfirmed future sources of additional income.

Members of the Executive referred to the national problem of funding cost of care in the community, of which the Oxfordshire Social Services budget problems were characteristic. It was hoped that the problem would be recognised and the pressures eased, but in the meantime the proposals now put forward represented an attempt to meet the immediate pressures in a balanced, constructive and realistic way. The Leader of the Council commended the work undertaken by Social Services officers to put the proposals together, and gave an assurance that the Executive would give the officers full support in implementing the proposals.

RESOLVED: (nem con) to:

1. to receive the report EX5;
2. RECOMMEND Council to:

1. approve the formula set out in paragraph 4 of report EX5 Supplement A for the purpose of specifying the extent of virement which might be undertaken by the Executive and that which must be referred to Council for approval; and
2. agree the virements necessary to effect the allocation of funding in respect of expenditure pressures on the Environmental Services budget as specified in paragraph 8 of and the Annex to report EX5 Supplement A;
3. agree the budget proposals for Social Services contained in report EX5 Supplement B, and authorise the virements necessary to put those into effect;
4. note that the proposals entailed a significant re-allocation of resources, partly to bring budgets into line with activity and partly to reduce activity levels to an affordable level; and that as a consequence flexibility would be needed during the course of the year and further virements were likely to be necessary as a result.
3. authorise officers to effect individual in-year virements, subject to the agreement of the relevant Executive Member(s), in the terms set out in paragraph 6 of report EX5 Supplement A.
   
   

121/02. Review of Local Area Structures

(Agenda Item 6)

The Executive considered the report (EX6) of the Panel which had carried out a review of Local Area Structures and the recommendations of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee thereon to the Council.

RESOLVED: to endorse the Review Panel’s report.

122/02. Review of Support for Members

(Agenda Item 7)

The Executive considered the report (EX7) of the Panel which had carried out a review of the support that was, or could be, provided to members to help them in serving their communities and the recommendations of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee thereon to the Council.

In the context of concerns expressed by Councillor Tudor Hughes that inadequate attention had been paid to members’ needs for secretarial support, Mr Bishop stressed that all councillors had been consulted via a questionnaire on their needs. The Panel’s report represented a "balancing act" as the responses had contained contradicting views.

RESOLVED: to note the Review Panel’s report.

123/02. Review of Consultative Arrangements

(Agenda Item 8)

The Executive had before them the report (EX8) of the Panel which had carried out a review of what standing consultative arrangements with stakeholders, if any, should be developed and the decisions thereon of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED: to:

1. note the Review Panel’s report;
2. support a suggestion that both the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee and Executive should look at ways in which to positively consult and involve teachers informally;
3. to advise the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee of (b) above and the conclusions of the meeting on recommendation (d) in Agenda Item 9 (see Minute 124/02(d) below).
   
   

124/02. Social Inclusion and Equalities

(Agenda Item 9)

The Executive considered a report (EX9) by the Deputy Leader of the Council which proposed the establishment of a small, well focused member/officer working group to provide support for the Council’s social inclusion and equalities responsibilities and initiatives to act as a ginger group, and the employment of an Officer responsible for all non-employment aspects of equalities.

Councillor Hodgson urged the Executive to consider a wider representation of 4-6 members on the working group to give a wider geographical spread to the group and a wider range of knowledge.

Councillor Margaret Godden indicated that she would not be agreeable to extending the working group membership as she felt it would be less effective in promoting action in all areas of the Council. She did however accept that the operation of the Working Group should be subject to review.

RESOLVED:

1. that the Social Inclusion Working Group and Equal Opportunities Working Party 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 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 be created, noting the financial implications for 2003-4;
4. that no long-term decision be taken on the future of the Ethnic Minorities Consultative Committee until the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee reported on consultation generally, and meanwhile that former members of the Sub-Committee should be invited to an informal meeting with the Executive and members of the Opposition where they could make representations to the Executive on service issues;
5. that there be a review of the working arrangements of access officers across the Council, the details to be decided when the new Equalities Officer was in post.

The Leader of the Council left the meeting at this point and the Deputy Leader took the Chair.

125/02. Quality Protects Management Action Plan

(Agenda Item 10)

The Executive had before them a report (EX10) which outlined progress with the Quality Protects Action Plan thus far and the comments thereon of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee.

In response to the comments forwarded by the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee, Mr Hodgson reported that several monitoring mechanisms were in place: the annual performance assessment of Social Services by the Department of Health Inspectorate; the yearly production of the Quality Protects Management Action Plan itself, which included a review of performance of the previous year’s progress; and regular meetings between officers and the relevant Executive Members.

Councillor Janet Godden, speaking as Executive Member for Children & Young People, endorsed Mr Hodgson's comments and stated that in her opinion the new arrangements, if anything, provided better monitoring than under the old system. She stressed that the Quality Protects Management Action Plan Objectives were regularly reviewed at fortnightly meetings between herself and Mr Hodgson and that anything of particular concern arising from these meetings was then brought to the monthly meeting between herself, the Director of Social Services and the Executive Member for Community Care & Health. She further reported that there was to be a full report on Leaving Care Services to the Executive in the coming two months. She undertook to do everything possible to secure permanent funding for these Services.

RESOLVED: to:

1. in response to the comments of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee, to advise Council of the reported arrangements for the consideration of Leaving Care Services and monitoring the Quality Protects Objectives;
2. subject to (a) above, RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Quality Protects Management Action Plan.
   
   

126/02. Learning Disability Joint Investment Plan 2002

(Agenda Item 11)

The Executive considered a report (EX11) which summarised the Learning Disability Joint Investment Plan and the Local Action Plan contained in it, and outlined the new Learning Disability Development Fund and the Department of Health priorities for the use of this funding.

RESOLVED: 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.

127/02. Fire Cover Provision : Henley

(Agenda Item 17)

The Executive considered a report (EX17) which outlined the current difficulties with crewing levels in Henley and proposals 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 arose.

RESOLVED: to:

1. agree that current fire cover provision in Henley was 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 front-line pumping appliance, and a concurrent reduction in the Establishment Scheme number of retained fire-fighters 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 might 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.
   
   

128/02. Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service – Collaboration With Other Services

(Agenda Item 18)

The Executive considered a report (EX18) which proposed further areas for collaborative working between the three Thames Valley Brigades (Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire).

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

129/02. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

RESOLVED: to adjourn the meeting until 3.00 pm on Thursday 21 March 2002.

THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 3.00 PM ON 21 MARCH 2002

The Leader of the Council resumed the Chair.

130/02. St Giles and Beaumont Street, Oxford Coach Stopping Points

(Agenda Item 28)

The Executive considered a report (EX28) which considered comments received on the experimental coach stopping arrangements in St Giles and Beaumont Street. Mr Luck reported on further comments received since publication of the report.

Mrs Booth addressed the Executive. She referred to overwhelming local opposition, environmental disbenefits from pollution and visual intrusion and traffic safety issues. She asked that a decision be deferred pending consultations with the City Council to enable a long term solution to be found.

Mr Donger addressed the Executive on behalf of St John’s College. They also objected on environmental grounds of pollution, visual intrusion and damage to buildings, highway safety and lack of enforcement. Alternative locations existed and these should be fully investigated before a final decision was taken.

The Revd Tim Gardner addressed the Executive on behalf of Blackfriars Priory. There objections to coach parking in St Giles resulted from concerns about pollution from engine fumes and noise intrusion (Blackfriars was a residence for 30 people), loss of visibility and access, economic and pastoral (effect on a place of worship). He also referred to possible alternative sites, which had not yet been fully explored.

John Moyle, Managing Director of Boswells, spoke in support of the coach park facility. As a long standing trading organisation in Oxford, Boswells was very concerned about the welfare of the City. However trade generated by passengers embarking from the stopping point was vital to the economy in that part of the City and traders in the Broad Street area were not convinced that people, particularly the elderly would walk from alternative car parks to that part of the City. He agreed that better monitoring of the current situation would be a great improvement.

Frank Watson addressed the Executive on behalf of the Broad Street Traders Association. He also confirmed the importance of the stopping point for businesses in that part of the City. It was convenient for operators and passengers and presented a good first impression of the City. The relocation of the Tourist Information Centre also represented another good reason for retaining the stopping point. He understood that operators were being more vigilant in self-monitoring but agreed that more positive monitoring and enforcement was a key part of any solution to this problem.

Councillor Power, addressed the Executive. He pointed out that St Giles was not a commercial street and criticised the lack of reasonable consultation. The matter should be deferred and referred to the relevant City Area Committee with a view to a mutually agreeable solution being found.

Councillor Tudor Hughes advised that the County Council had only recently assumed responsibility for this matter. The timescale with regard to the experimental arrangements, which expired in 6 months time had afforded no opportunity for consultation. He referred to the proposed alternative car parks, Oxpens and Park & Ride sites were too distant and inconvenient, particularly for the elderly and also to Albion Place, which although presented an opportunity for a part solution would not answer all the problems posed.

RESOLVED: (nem con):

1. to request the Director of Environmental Services to consider, in consultation with the City Council and interested bodies (eg Civic Society, Oxford Preservation Trust, Broad St Traders Association, City Tourism Office and the Southern Tourist Board), whether there was a viable alternative to coaches parking in St Giles and Beaumont St which would not prejudice the legitimate business interests of City centre retailers especially in and around Broad St, Turl St and the Covered Market and other groups with environmental and traffic safety interests;
2. meanwhile to formulate a clear action plan to deal with the issues of safety, pollution, parking outside designated areas, waiting beyond the legal time limits and enforcement of the regulations;
3. to ask the City Council to clarify its polices for tourism development within Oxford, especially with regard to the coach trade;
4. to request the Director of Environmental Services to report back to the Executive with new recommendations and a timetable for implementation.
   
   

131/02. Education Development Plan 2002-07

(Agenda Item 12)

The Executive on 22 January considered the comments of the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee on the draft Education Development Plan 2002-2007.

Councillor Tony Crabbe, speaking as Executive Member for Schools, welcomed the Scrutiny Committee's comments and indicated that a number could usefully be incorporated in the Plan.

RESOLVED: to:

1. welcome the comments of Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee and:

1. agree amendment of the Plan to reflect the Committee’s reported points in relation to:

• role and benefits of specialist schools;
• important contribution of the Dioceses to education in Oxfordshire;
• local (as opposed to national) educational priorities;

1. agree that the reporting process for the Evaluation Strategy should include the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee;
2. note that the Council’s instructions arising from the new Learning and Skills Council’s post-16 funding mechanism had been dealt with under EX 14

1. subject to (a) above, RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Education Development Plan 2002-07.

132/02. The Adult Learning Plan 2002/03

(Agenda Item 13)

The Executive considered a report (EX13) on the Adult Learning Plan required by the Department for Education and Skills from all local authorities that delivered, or secured by subcontracting, a programme of non-accredited learning.

RESOLVED to:

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;
5. refer the Plan, together with any changes arising from (c) above, to the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee, for them to make any comments in time for report to the Executive on 14 May 2002, and submission to Council for formal approval on 18 June 2002.

 

133/02. School Budgets

(Agenda Item 14)

The Executive considered a report (EX14) arising from the Council’s decision as 5 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 sixth forms for the financial disadvantage they will suffer under the new Learning and Skills Council’s post 16 funding arrangements".

RESOLVED: to:

1. note that changes to the funding formula could not be changed for 2002/03, but that additional funds had now become available which would 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.
   
   

134/02. 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.

1. lobby the Learning & Skills Council to fund 16-19 transport;
2. increase post-16 transport charges across the county to £33 per term, as being sufficient to cover the Council’s increased transport costs in the light of Henley College’s undertaking to continue their subsidy.

135/02. Education Capital Projects

(Agenda Item 16)

The Acting Chief Education Officer sought 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

RESOLVED: to approve the Project Appraisals.

136/02. Call In: Carterton, Witney and Oxford – Public Transport Link

1. noting the comments of the Scrutiny Committee, 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 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;
3. to note the comments of the Scrutiny Committee, but in the light of the advice now received from the Government Office for the South East, defer a bid for the A40 Witney to Wolvercote Bus Lane scheme as part of the 2002 Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report and suspend any further development work on the scheme until the Executive have considered the outcome of the review identified in (b) above, especially in relation to the integration of any future proposals with a light railway or GTE link;
4. 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;
5. note that the Transport Networks Review would cover the Heavy Rail network and might identify scope in the long term for such provision in the Oxford-Witney-Carterton corridor.

137/02. A422 Banbury Hennef Way Dualling

(Agenda Item 22)

The Executive considered a report (EX22) which sought 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.

RESOLVED: to authorise the completion of a "Works Agreement" with Railtrack plc that included clauses 24.1, 24.2 and 24.3 as set out in Annex 1 to the report, subject to written confirmation that the Hennef Way bridge was not affected by the upgrading proposals by Strategic Rail Authority.

138/02. Cross Thames Travel Study Group

(Agenda Item 23)

On 6 November 2001 the Executive had 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 this Steering Group. However, discussions had 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.

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

RESOLVED: 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.

139/02. Cotswold Line Rail Study

(Agenda Item 24)

The Executive considered a report (EX24) on funding required for a submission to the Strategic Rail Authority by the Cotswold and Malverns Partnership, of which Oxfordshire County Council was a member, for major enhancements to the Cotswold rail line.

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

RESOLVED: 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.
   
   

140/02. Better Ways to School – Cycle Routes Outside Headington Junior School

(Agenda Item 25)

The Executive considered a report (EX25) which detailed the response to consultation on footway conversion and the associated cycle and pedestrian issues along the section of the London Road corridor adjacent to Headington Junior School.

RESOLVED: to:

1. approve the implementation of the scheme in principle as shown in Annex 2 to the report 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.
   
   

141/02. Banbury: Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading

(Agenda Item 26)

The Executive considered a report (EX26) which detailed the results of public consultation on recently advertised proposals for new/amended lengths of waiting and loading restriction in Banbury.

RESOLVED: to:

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.
   
   

142/02. Hanwell Fields Cycle Network - Banbury

(Agenda Item 27)

The Executive considered a report (EX27). which described the proposed Hanwell Fields Cycle Network, linking the new Hanwell Fields Housing Development to Banbury Town Centre, and discussed the results of the recent consultation on the B4100 Warwick Road Toucan Crossing.

RESOLVED: to:

1. authorise implementation of the proposals as described in the report and shown in Annexes 1 and 2 to the report, 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
   
   

143/02. Pedestrian Crossing Facilities

(Agenda Item 29)

The Executive considered a report (EX29) which considered the progress on new pedestrian crossings, including the results of consultation where appropriate.

A note from Councillor Jim Moley about the proposed pedestrian crossing in Charlton Road, Wantage was circulated.

RESOLVED: 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.
   
   

144/02. Highway Maintenance Programme 2002/2003

(Agenda Item 19)

The Executive considered a report (EX19) which outlined the planned expenditure on the highway maintenance activities programmed for 2002/03 funded from the available revenue and capital budgets.

RESOLVED: 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.
   
   

145/02. Draft Highway Management Policies

(Agenda Item 20)

The Executive considered a report (EX20) which proposed a Manual setting out the main policies that applied to the maintenance and management of County roads in Oxfordshire.

RESOLVED: 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. refer the draft Manual to Environment Scrutiny Committee for comment as part of the consultation.
   
   

146/02. Collective Purchasing Agency

1. note the Scrutiny Committee’s comments and welcome the prospect of an initiative which was likely to offer substantial financial benefits to the authority;
2. ask officers to report to the Executive when firm proposals had been received from IdeA.

147/02. Forward Plan and Future Business

in the Chair

Date of signing 2002

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