Return to AgendaITEM CA3
CABINET
MINUTES of the meeting held on 24 June 2008 commencing at 2.00 pm and finishing at 4.05 pm.
Present:
Voting Members: Councillor Keith R Mitchell CBE – in the Chair
Councillor Louise Chapman Councillor Jim Couchman Councillor Mrs J. Heathcoat Councillor David Robertson Councillor C.H. Shouler Councillor Michael Waine
Other Members in Councillor Norman Bolster (for Agenda Item 7) Attendance: Councillor Jenny Hannaby (for Agenda Item 7) Councillor Zoé Patrick (for Agenda Items 8 & 10) Councillor Charles Mathew (for Agenda Item 9) Councillor Colin Lamont (for Agenda Item 10) Councillor Bob Johnston (for Agenda Item 12)
Officers:
Whole of meeting: Chief Executive; S.D. Howell and S. Whitehead (Legal & Democratic Services).
Part of meeting:
The Cabinet 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. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Roger Belson, John Howell OBE and Ian Hudspeth.
54/08 DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillor Shouler declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item CA7 as he had a close association with a person who could benefit financially should the development of an eco-town take place at Weston-on-the-Green.
Councillor Waine declared a personal interest in Agenda Item CA11 as a governor of the Cooper School and Bicester Community College, though he had absented himself from any previous relevant discussion and decision making regarding this item.
55/08 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2008 were approved and signed.
56/08 PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS
The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:-
57/08 FINANCIAL MONITORING (Agenda Item 5)
The Cabinet considered a report (CA5) that set out out the Council’s forecast financial position for the 2008/09 financial year and covers the period up to the 30 April 2008 for both revenue and capital budgets. Given the difficulty in forecasting year-end outturn based on a single month’s actuals this report was on an exceptions basis, focusing on key risk areas identified from issues in 2007/08 and areas of emerging pressures.
The Cabinet Member for Finance reminded the Cabinet that regarding paragraphs 33 to 38 in the report, only banks with the highest credit rating were authorised to be on the lending list.
RESOLVED: to:
(a) note the report; and
(b) approve the virement and supplementary estimate requests.
58/08 PROVISIONAL 2007/08 REVENUE AND CAPITAL OUTTURN (Agenda Item 6)
The Cabinet considered a report (CA6) and amendments set out in the schedule of addenda that presented the 2007/08 provisional revenue and capital outturn and identifies variations of actual spend against budgets. The report focused on the year end balance sheet position, including the level of general balances and reserves. The report also included the approval process for the allocation of revenue carry forwards in 2008/09.
The Council's year end position for 2007/08 showed a revenue underspend of -£3.281m, a capital underspend of -£12.974m and general balances of £22.411m.
The Cabinet noted that the council was in a sound financial position, though noted that revenue balances were unusually high. School Balances showed a particularly large increase and the Cabinet set out a response as per the detail in the schedule of addenda. This would ensure that budgets were scrutinised equally across the council and that the Chairman of Governors shared responsibility for schools budgets. The Cabinet further noted that any money returned from School Balances would only be spent on schools.
RESOLVED: to:
(a) note the provisional revenue and capital outturn set out in the report, subject to the amendments to paragraphs 1 & 47, as set out in Annex 1 to the schedule of addenda.;
(b) approve the process for agreeing carry-forwards as set out in paragraphs 44-47;
(c) approve the changes to balances as set out in the table at paragraph 68;
(d) agree that the surplus in the On-Street Parking Account at the end of the 2007/08 financial year, so far as not applied to particular eligible purposes in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, be carried forward in the account to the 2008/09 financial year (paragraph 86);
(e) approve the creation of new reserves as set out in Annex 4; and
(f) agree the approach to School Balances as set out in paragraphs 79(a)-(c), as proposed in the schedule of addenda.
59/08 ECO-TOWNS (Agenda Item 7)
At this point, Councillor Shouler left the room as he had a personal and prejudicial interest in the item.
The Cabinet considered a report (CA7) to agree a response on the Government’s eco-towns consultation and in particular to the proposal for “Weston Otmoor”. It also included a joint report prepared with officers from Cherwell District Council.
Mr Sargent, speaking on behalf of Islip Parish Council, believed that the proposals would unacceptably intrude into the green belt; lead to the loss of good agricultural land; cause problems for the already limited infrastructure; increase the risk of flooding in Islip and have a massive impact on the levels of traffic moving through Islip.
Ms Carry, speaking as a local resident of Wendlebury, further recognised the traffic implications, especially considering the increase as a result of the expansion of Bicester. She suggested that the council should support existing local communities and village life, rather than the proposed eco-town.
Councillor Bolster, speaking as local member for Bicester, commended the report and highlighted the concerns of villages in the area and the effect of the eco-town on employment in Bicester.
Councillor Hannaby, speaking as the Shadow Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, opposed the proposed construction of an eco-town on the green belt; agreed that the proposals to bypass planning policies were unacceptable; and that the proposals would have an impact on the planned development of Bicester.
The Cabinet noted that the concept of eco-towns, or the retro-fitting of existing towns with sustainable technology, was positive, but did not agree with the Weston Otmoor proposal. There were concerns regarding the impact on Bicester; the legality of a site-specific Planning Policy Statement; the ability of the proposals to deliver the proposed transport links; and the contradiction with established policies regarding the development of Bicester. Further, the rail proposals suggested were not practical given the proposed investment in the project. The Cabinet commended officers on the report and in particular the section relating to rail infrastructure.
Officers suggested that there was not enough money available for infrastructure, thus investment in affordable housing was likely to be the first area to suffer if the proposals went ahead.
The Leader of the Council voiced the absent Cabinet Members’ opposition to the proposals and undertook to distribute a copy of the council’s response to local Members of Parliament.
RESOLVED: to:
(a) respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government that Oxfordshire County Council:
(1) has major concerns about the way in which the eco-towns concept is being developed for the reasons set out in paragraph 6 above and in Annex 1; and in particular that proposals may be taken forward which override the regional and local planning framework; and
(2) endorses the comments on the “Weston Otmoor” proposal in paragraph 6 and in Annex 1; and that on the information available would object strongly to the inclusion of the “Weston Otmoor” eco-town proposal in the final list of eco-towns locations, in particular on the grounds that:
(i) the proposal is contrary to the policies in the South East Plan, which has been approved by the South East Regional Assembly, has been confirmed by the Independent Panel who conducted the examination in public and is before the Minister for her approval.
(ii) the proposal would have a significantly detrimental impact on the implementation of planned development of Bicester and the promotion of Bicester as a major employment location in northern Central Oxfordshire;
(iii) the Council is unconvinced about the deliverability of the major infrastructure package that underpins the eco-town proposal; and
(iv) there is a lack of clarity about the overall eco credentials of the “Weston Otmoor” proposal.
(b) agree to delegate to the Head of Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, finalisation of the joint report with Cherwell District Council and the submission of additional supporting information to meet the Government’s deadline of 30 June 2008.
60/08 OXFORDSHIRE 2030 – SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY: A PARTNERSHIP PLAN FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN OXFORDSHIRE (Agenda Item 8)
At this point, Councillor Shouler returned to the room.
The Cabinet considered a report on Oxfordshire 2030 (CA8) – the sustainable community strategy for the county. It had been developed by the Oxfordshire Partnership and set out a long-term vision for improving quality of life for all our residents and businesses. The Cabinet was asked to support the draft strategy in order to go out for 12 weeks of public consultation before formal agreement in November 2008.
The Cabinet confirmed that the Oxfordshire Partnership had approved the strategy for consultation on 23 June 2008; that it was a good example of joint working with district councils and other organisations; and that the strategy required a commitment from all organizations involved in the partnership, not just Oxfordshire County Council.
RESOLVED: to support the draft strategy for public consultation.
61/08 SCRUTINY REVIEW OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS (Agenda Item 9)
The Cabinet considered the Scrutiny Review (Executive Summary at CA9), as presented by the Lead Member Review Group: Councillors M. Altaf-Khan, John Farrow and Charles Mathew.
The Review set out:
· To examine the current system and processes for recruiting retained fire fighters and to recommend ways in which these could be enhanced to attract and then maintain a higher establishment. · To incorporate recommendations on how to improve workforce diversity and (incidentally) whole time fire fighter recruitment (this aspect is relatively “light touch”). · To monitor the implementation of the recommendations and outcomes of the in-depth (internal) authority review on Fire Cover (which was largely focused on recruitment and retention) as compared to the position the previous year (again, this is a light touch exercise).
The Cabinet noted that this Review was independent of the Fundamental Service Review taking place. In response to recommendation 1 of the Review the Leader of the Council undertook to write to central government regarding any possible tax incentives to encourage recruitment of retained firefighters for both employers and employees.
RESOLVED: to refer the Review and recommendations to the Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service for detailed consideration, with their response to be considered by the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee before further Cabinet consideration of the Review recommendations.
62/08 SCRUTINY REVIEW ON CYCLING TO WORK - ‘ON YOUR BIKE’ (Agenda item 10)
The Cabinet considered a Scrutiny Review (Executive Summary at CA10) on Cycling to Work in Oxfordshire. The Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee had held a ‘select committee’ style question & answer session on 20 February 2008, with the resultant report setting out the practical steps that the authority and its partners could take to increase levels of cycling and overcome barriers to achieving an increased level of cycling in the county, without radically increasing its expenditure.
Councillor Lamont presented the report, noting the benefits of Cycling to Work but also recognising the constraints of the Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP2).
Councillor Patrick, speaking as Leader of the Opposition on behalf of the Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, believed the Review was not ambitious enough.
The Cabinet noted that Oxford City had the second highest level of cycling in the UK and that the restrictions in LTP2 were as a result of government criteria. The Cabinet considered the response of the Cabinet Member for Transport.
RESOLVED: to respond to the Scrutiny Review Report as set out in Annex 1 (download as .doc file) to these minutes.
63/08 PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SECONDARY PUPIL PLACES IN BICESTER (Agenda Item 11)
The Cabinet considered a report (CA11) that outlined a response to the Cabinet's request of 16 October 2007 for additional information on the feasibility, management, governance and pastoral care for the 14+ learning centre proposed at Bicester. Officers were also asked to complete negotiations with the developers to secure a sufficient and appropriate site to meet the needs of the 14-19 learning centre, including any possible future expansion and to report back on the potential implications in terms of time and costs.
The Cabinet noted the amended recommendation, detailed in the schedule of addenda, as officers would need to conduct further research to ensure that the decision-making arrangements had firm foundations. The project was especially important in that too many pupils were either not entering Further Education in the area, or leaving Bicester unnecessarily.
RESOLVED; to:
(a) approve the continued strategic assessment and development of the strategic brief for the 14+ learning centre; and
(b) instruct officers to do further work on the legal status of the proposed new institution and the framework for governance and finances.
64/08 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: 4TH QUARTER PROGRESS REPORT AGAINST PRIORITIES AND TARGETS (Agenda Item 12)
The Cabinet considered a report on the Council's Balanced Scorecard, detailing progress against priorities and targets as at Quarter Four, 2007 – 2008. Performance at year-end was encouraging with more than 80% of targets for which information is available on track at the end of quarter four, compared to 75% at this stage last year.
Councillor Johnson, speaking as Shadow Cabinet Member for Change Management, suggested that there should be greater commentary on the amber and red targets; that relevant strategies and action plans should be named in the report; and raised concerns regarding the format of the report.
The Cabinet noted that the layout of the report was under review, but that it was difficult to balance the detail with a useful summary. Educational attainment was above the national average, but was none the less a major target for improvement. Officers were working on improving the figures for delayed discharges, though figures appeared to have improved since April.
RESOLVED: to note the report.
65/08 UPDATE REPORT ON SPRINKLER PROVISION AND PREMISES SURVEYS (Agenda Item 13)
On 18 September 2007, the Cabinet agreed a forward approach to Sprinkler Provision and Premises Surveys in primary and secondary schools. Officers were asked to perform risk assessments on all existing primary and secondary schools and report the outcomes to Cabinet. The Cabinet considered a report (CA13) that updated the Cabinet on the progress made by officers to date.
The Cabinet noted that Mike Smyth, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, would be retiring in the near future and wished him well.
RESOLVED: to note the progress made to date.
66/08 FORWARD PLAN AND FUTURE BUSINESS(Agenda Item 14)
The Cabinet considered a list of items (CA14) for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet and the amended Forward Plan as detailed in the schedule of addenda.
RESOLVED: to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.
................................................................................... in the Chair
Date of signing.................................................................. 2008
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