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ITEM EX3

EXECUTIVE – 27 MAY 2003

Minutes of the Meeting commencing at 2.00 pm and finishing at 4.42 pm

Present:

The Executive considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting, together with a schedule 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 schedule, copies of which are attached to the signed Minutes.

142/03. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Anne Purse.

143/03. ORDER OF BUSINESS

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

144/03. MINUTES

The Executive noted the following amendment to the circulated Minutes – Minute 131/03 (Special School Placements: Resource and Assessment Panels) – delete "assessment" on the first line of the second paragraph and substitute "consultation".

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2003 were approved and signed as thus amended.

145/03. PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

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

Request from	Agenda Item
Mr Christopher Hall Chair, Oxfordshire Ramblers	10 - Vehicular Traffic on the Ridgeway

146/03. VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE RIDGEWAY

(Agenda Item 10)

The Executive considered a report (EX10) in response to a motion from Councillor Hodgson which, as adopted by Council on 1 April 2003, urged the Executive to endorse a range of measures being proposed by the Ridgeway Management Group to improve and sustain the surface condition of the National Trail in Oxfordshire; to press the Ridgeway Management Group for a tight and explicit timetable for assessment of the need and efficacy of traffic regulation orders to prevent unacceptable surface damage; and to urge the Executive to confirm that traffic regulation orders would be made on specific sections of the route if there was strong and specific evidence that such orders would be appropriate and effective.

The report outlined a range of proposals from the Management Group including the use of Traffic Regulation Orders to restrict motor vehicles on certain sections as one of the ‘tools’ to finding a sustainable solution for The Ridgeway National Trail.

Mr Hall referred to the value of the Ridgeway both to tourists and local people: use by four wheel drive vehicles and motor cycles was inconsistent with its peaceful enjoyment; simply seeking to remedy the surface damage would involve an interminable cycle of costly repairs; the priority should be to prevent damage and disturbance by preventing inappropriate use.

Councillor Hodgson considered that the repair strategy would be very costly and ultimately futile and that the Ridgeway Management Group should adopt a strategy of prevention through a planned programme of traffic regulation. In response to the recommendations shown in the report EX10 he urged the Executive not to approve the measures proposed by the Ridgeway Management Group but to press for the tight and explicit timetable for traffic regulation proposed in his motion as originally submitted to the Council; and to press the Countryside Agency but to co-ordinate the efforts of the various councils along the Trail (and particularly West Berkshire and Oxfordshire) to ban non-essential motor vehicles from The Ridgeway.

Councillor Fawcett, as the Executive Member for Learning & Culture, confirmed that it was the objective to improve conditions so that people could enjoy the Ridgeway. The Ridgeway Management Group's strategy represented a balanced approach, and one favoured by ministers, which could provide a basis for successful regulation of recreational motor vehicles in due course.

RESOLVED: to:

1. affirm the view that the use of the Ridgeway by recreational motor vehicles was detrimental to its sustainability as a long distance trail and its enjoyment by others;
2. note the progress and timetable for the range of measures proposed by the Ridgeway Management Group to improve and sustain the surface condition of the National Trail in Oxfordshire;
3. confirm that Traffic Regulation Orders would be progressed for specific sections of the route when there was strong and specific evidence that such orders would be appropriate and effective;
4. press the Countryside Agency to make a grant offer without delay towards identified urgent surface improvement works at a level of 75% in recognition of the national status and importance of the Ridgeway.
   
   

147/03. BUDGET MONITORING

(Agenda item 5)

The Executive considered a report (EX5) which updated the budget monitoring position for 2002/03 to the end of March 2003, outlining variations since the last report.

Councillor Mold, with particular reference to the underspend of £1.492 m shown under Environment, Road & Transport, urged the Executive to support the officers' recommendations set out in the report, and release all holdbacks implemented during 2002/03.

Councillor Hodgson requested that all Councillors be informed as to how the released holdbacks would be spent. He asked a number of detailed questions as to the funding position in relation school budgets, in response to which the Leader of the Council undertook that that information would be passed on as it became available.

RESOLVED: to receive the report and agree to the release of the administrative holdback implemented during 2002/03 for spending by the relevant services in 2003/04.

148/03. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT

(Agenda Item 6)

The Executive considered a report (EX6) which considered the end of year outturns for the Oxfordshire Plan 2002 – 2003 key targets and Best Value Performance Indicators 2002 – 2003.

Councillor Hodgson expressed disappointment that a number of the targets were predicted not to be met.

The Leader of the Council stressed that Executive Members and Directors were looking hard at targets for 2004/05 with a view to setting realistic targets for the future and not merely aspirations.

RESOLVED to receive the report and invite the respective Executive Members to investigate further with the relevant Directors:

1. those areas where targets had not been met as shown in Annexes 1 - 6 to the report;
2. those areas where performance data had not been provided as shown in Annexes 2–6, and
3. Best Value Performance Indicator targets for 2003 – 2004 as shown in Annexes 2 – 6.
   
   

149/03. OXFORDSHIRE PLAN 2003/04

(Agenda Item 7)

The Executive considered a report (EX7) which outlined progress with the Oxfordshire Plan 2003/04 thus far and the comments thereon of the Corporate Government Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED: to RECOMMEND the Council to approve the Oxfordshire Plan 2003/04, based on the initial proposals which the Executive on 29 April 2003 had agreed for consultation with the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee, together with:

1. the targets previously identified relating to the single point of admission to schools and encouraging tolerant communities;
2. additions and amendments in reflecting the comments of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee; and
3. the draft Improvement Strategy and BVPI outturns for 2002/03 and targets for 2003/04-2995/06 circulated to all members of the Council on 22 May 2003;

subject to final confirmation of the BVPI targets, and the addition of such further information as might be required by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, following consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.

150/03. FIRE SERVICE DISPUTE

(Agenda Item 8)

The Director for Community Safety & Chief Fire Officer reported that the Fire Brigades Union Executive had decided to recommend terms for a settlement to its membership. He further reported that the Government White Paper responding to the independent review of the fire service was now expected to be issued in mid June.

RESOLVED: to note the report.

151/03. COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY SCRUTINY REVIEW

(Agenda Item 9)

The Executive considered the findings of the Lead Member Review Group which had been set up by the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee to carry out this Review on the Executive’s behalf, together with the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations thereon.

Councillor Mold, as Chair of the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee, urged the Executive to support the Review recommendations.

RESOLVED: to ask the Director of Community Safety & Chief Fire Officer to report back to the Executive before the end of the year with costed proposals for implementing the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee, with a view to pursuing pro-actively the development of Fire Safety Education, in the context of the anticipated Government White Paper.

152/03. CHEWING GUM ON PAVEMENTS

(Agenda item 11)

The Executive considered a report (EX11) in response to a motion from Councillor Patrick Greene adopted by the Council on 1 April 2003, which urged the Executive to extend to other Oxfordshire District, Town and Parish Councils the co-operation established between the County and City Councils in finding ways of ridding pavements and roads in the City of chewing gum deposits.

Councillor Greene expressed his disappointment with the recommendations set out in the report. He urged the Executive to work positively with the District Councils to secure action to remove chewing gum.

RESOLVED: to

1. ask the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management to specifically contact the respective District Council Executive Members with responsibility for Waste Management with a view to working pro-actively towards the removal of chewing gum from pavements throughout the County; and
2. consider the possibility, pace and scale of expansion of town centre improvement partnerships in the context of the budget planning process for 2004/05.
   
   

153/03 BEST VALUE REVIEW: PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE IN OLDER PEOPLE

(Agenda Item 12)

The Executive considered the Review and Action Plan (EX12) as endorsed by the Best Value Committee and the comments thereon of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

1. note the views of the Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee, to approve the Review report and Action Plan for implementation;
2. instruct the County Council Management Team to consider possible options for a corporate mechanism to promote the independence of all vulnerable older people.
   
   

154/03. ADULT LEARNING PLAN 2003/04

(Agenda Item 13)

The Executive considered a report (EX13) which outlined progress with the Adult Learning Plan 2003/04 thus far and the comments thereon of the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Legge, asked, in the light of comments made by a Learning Disabilities Group in Abingdon, that the complaints procedure referred to in the plan be produced in reader-friendly language, in upper case text and using picture symbols, so that the procedure was accessible to all students.

Ms Bridgewater reported that staff running particular courses would always help their students where the need arose, but undertook to ensure the complaints procedure was looked at with a view to making it more accessible.

RESOLVED: to:

1. note the funding and delivery issues raised in the report; and
2. RECOMMEND the Council to approve the draft Adult Learning Plan for submission to the Learning & Skills Council by the 30 June closing date, subject to incorporation of any matter required by further advice from consultees and/or the Learning & Skills Council.
   
   

155/03. EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

(Agenda Item 14)

The Executive considered a report (EX14) which set out proposals for improving arrangements for monitoring and enforcement of measures to protect children in employment.

Councillor Legge expressed concern over the level of staff time proposed in the report, referring to full time child employment officers appointed by some other local authorities.

Councillor Janet Godden, as Executive Member for Children & Young People, suggested that the report's proposals should be implemented but the effects monitored so as to ascertain their effectiveness.

RESOLVED: to agree the proposals set out in the report for improving the protection of children in employment, and request the Director for Learning & Culture to discuss the best ways of implementing these with the three relevant Executive members and bring a brief follow up report to the Executive within a year.

156/03. USE OF BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE AND THE STANDARD MANUAL ALPHABET IN SCHOOLS

(Agenda Item 15)

The Executive considered a report (EX15) which responded to a request by the Executive on 4 March 2003 (arising on a motion in Council by Councillor Hodgson) for a more detailed report on the implications of introducing courses in schools on deaf awareness, British Sign Language and the Standard Manual Alphabet; the relationship with other areas of disability; and the present and planned activities of schools in these fields.

Councillor Hodgson drew attention to the announcement of government funding for training in British Sign Language, which addressed part of his original motion. He emphasised that his proposal for teaching the Standard Manual Alphabet was designed to provide an easy way of increasing awareness. on the teaching of British Sign Language he had contacted the Head Teachers of three schools with specialist status for language teaching, of which, Henry Box had stated a particular interest in teaching British Sign Language. He urged the Executive to support any schools wishing to add British Sign Language to their curriculum.

Councillor McIntosh-Stedman referred to the benefits which British Sign Language interpreters could bring in all walks of life.

Councillor Legge spoke of the importance of raising awareness and the benefits of producing more interpreters, She expressed support for the setting up of a pilot Scheme in Oxfordshire to teach British Sign Language, perhaps through a school which already was a Specialist Language School.

RESOLVED:

1. to give support and advice to any school wishing to offer British Sign Language as an additional course option provided that this would be without additional cost to the Authority;
2. to welcome the announcement of government funding for training in British Sign Language.
   
   

157/03. DEBT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2003/04

(Agenda Item 16)

The Executive noted the support of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee for the proposed Debt Management Strategy 2003/04.

RESOLVED: to RECOMMEND the Council to approve the proposed strategy for the control of the Council’s borrowing set out in the report (EX12) to the 2 April meeting of the Executive.

158/03. FORWARD PLAN AND FUTURE BUSINESS

In the Chair

Date of signing 2003

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