Meeting documents
Cabinet
Tuesday, 19 July 2005
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To Members of the Cabinet Notice of a Meeting of the CabinetTuesday 19 July 2005 at 2.00 pm County Hall, Oxford
Derek Bishop
Contact officer: (Tel: 01865 815902; E-mail)
Membership
Decisions taken at the meeting will become effective at the end of the working day on 27 July 2005 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.
AGENDAAddenda
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2005 (CA3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom. Cabinet
Member: Finance Report by Head
of Finance & Procurement (CA5) (download
as .doc file) This is a supplementary report to the Provisional Revenue & Capital Outturn Report considered by the Cabinet on 22 June. This report gives further consideration to the revenue outturn position and the carryforwards requested by Directorates and includes a formal request for the allocation of revenue carry forwards to Directorates in 2005/06. The latest position for consolidated reserves at the year end is £12.181m. This is made up of £5.683m in general reserves and £6.498m in Directorate carry forwards. The Cabinet are asked to review how the carry forwards can best be allocated to Directorates this year. Any unallocated carry forward can be returned to Council balances and held there until future commitments are more certain. Directorates have set out their requests for carry forwards and these are shown at annexes 2 to 6. However, where significant underspends have arisen as a result of fortuitous income or one-off events such as non-appointment, or where there is increasing slippage year on year, the Cabinet may wish to require Directorates either to return the underspends to Council balances, where they could be held against a risk-assessed list of potential calls on balances, or to use the underspends to offset overspending elsewhere in the directorate. This would help to strengthen balances in line with Council policy and would also enhance the Council’s prospects of achieving a good score in the revised CPA Use of Resources assessment, for which the criteria include being able to provide evidence that ‘No significant departmental overspends/underspends have occurred’. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
Cabinet Member:
Finance Report by Head
of Finance & Procurement (CA6) (download
as .doc file) This report covers the period up to the end of May 2005 for revenue and capital. At this point in the financial year there are still significant difficulties involved in forecasting year-end outturn and the Directorate position remains largely on an exceptions basis, highlighting significant known variations which may affect the revenue budget in 2005/06. The projected year end position on revenue balances (net of the City Schools Reorganisation) is £11.958m. This is an increase of £0.235m since the previous report and represents 2.05% of net budget. There is a potential call on balances of up to £0.625m in relation to the Supporting People overspend which would reduce the position to £11.333m if required in full. This remains in line with the projections set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan. The projected Directorate overspend has reduced by £0.109m since the last report, although many Directorate reports are still largely focusing on potential pressures without quantifying areas most likely to produce offsetting underspends. Based on previous trends it remains almost certain that the position will continue to improve as the year goes on and that the actual year end position will be breakeven or better. In the last report on 22 June 2005 £6.392m of variations were identified compared to the Capital Programme Booklet issued in March 2005. This report identifies further variations which show an overall reduction to the capital programme of £4.242m. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
Cabinet Member:
Finance Report by Solicitor to the Council & Monitoring Officer and Head of Finance & Procurement (CA7). The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 require that the Council conducts a review at least once a year on the effectiveness of its system of internal control and produces a statement on its effectiveness as part of the Council’s Statement of Accounts. This report reviews the process for the production of the Statement on Internal Control (SIC), presents the SIC for 2004/05 and seeks confirmation from the Cabinet that they are satisfied with the process for reviewing the system of internal control. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to endorse the review of internal control undertaken during 2004/05 as evidenced by the Statement on Internal Control 2004/05.
Cabinet Member:
Change Management, Finance Report by Director for Resources (CA8) (download as .doc file). In September 2004 it was agreed to establish a SAP Revitalisation Programme. This programme aims to maximise the benefits in the Authority’s use of SAP. Three objectives inform the programme: to establish sound processes, consistently applied across the County Council and in a manner that is sufficiently robust to support future reorganisation; to enable effective management decisions; and to establish the ability to lower operating costs. This report records the progress to date. It outlines a recommended programme of work and identifies the resources required to sustain this. The potential benefits of Shared Services for the Authority are identified. The next steps to validate, prepare and plan for its introduction are identified within the report. It s recognised that a Shared Services approach will influence work in other areas of SAP. A continuing programme of SAP developments to improve financial control is identified; and the development of improved and formalised operational control in support of SAP, and a plan for the introduction of SAP based e Procurement are outlined and proposed. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:-
Cabinet Member:
Finance Forward Plan Ref: 2005/048, 2005/016A, 2005/070 Report by Director for Resources (CA9) (download as .doc file). This report gives information on progress with the Review of Property Assets Implementation Plan. It considers a strategy for the consolidation of offices in Oxford not being considered as part of the Review of Central Offices. The recommended strategy is based on the retention of the Cricket Road and Harlow Centres and consolidation of the remaining six offices in to a single new office close to the Oxford Eastern Bypass, accessible by public transport. A position statement on the Review of Central Offices is also given. The business case to convert/upgrade central offices under Modern Workstyle principles is not financially viable as it stands. However, the proposal to create a Shared Service Centre as part of the SAP revitalisation project could result in revenue savings which would pay the accommodation costs of a Shared Service Centre and could help to achieve a reorganisation of central buildings. In March 2004, the Executive considered a scheme drawn up on behalf of the developer of the Castle site for the conversion of Old County Hall to a Conference Facility, involving shared use with the hotel on the Castle site. It was not possible to agree a balance of use acceptable to both parties and the report provides an update on the progress of investigation of the scope for redevelopment by the County Council for its own use. The report also includes proposals arising from the review of caretaker housing required by the Implementation Plan. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
Cabinet Member:
Health & Community Services Report by Director for Social & Health Care (CA10). In March 2005, the Government published a Green Paper, "Independence, Well Being and Choice". It contained proposals on the future direction of social care for adults. This report includes the Executive Summary from the Green Paper and provides a response on behalf of the County Council to the proposals which the Cabinet is invited to consider. The agreed response will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for Health. The response acknowledges that there is much in the Green Paper which is good and commendable, but highlights a number of areas of disagreement with the proposals. These centre on funding problems in the light of demographic changes, and the difficulty of achieving claimed savings and efficiencies; the risks in the proposed development of more individualised packages of care; failure to adopt a more radical approach to the relationship between Councils and the NHS; lack of attention to mental health; shortcomings in the proposals for more self-assessment; and lack of attention to workforce problems arising from providing more individualised services to people in the community. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to any changes it may think necessary, to agree the proposed response to the Secretary of State for Health on the Government’s Green Paper. Cabinet Member:
Children's Services Report by [former] Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee. The Social & Health Care Scrutiny Committee undertook a Review of the Stability of Foster Care Placements. The purpose of the Review was to:
The Review was prompted in the knowledge that the service for "Looked after children" was good but that it could be even better. The Review was informed by a range of evidence outlined in the Executive summary to the report. The main findings were around the need for more and/or better:
The recommendations focus on these main findings. The Scrutiny Committee was keen that the Review should be completed in sufficient time to have an impact on the implementation plan for the Social & Health Care Directorate’s "Placement Matters" strategy. The timing of this work coming before the Cabinet means that it will be able to do so. On 12 July 2005, the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee will be asked to consider the report prior to consideration by the Cabinet. Any amendments or comments from that Committee will be reported to the Cabinet. An executive summary of the report with its recommendations is attached (CA11) (download as .doc file). The full report has been circulated to Cabinet Members. A copy is also available for public inspection.(download as .doc file) The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to consider the Scrutiny Review Report and communicate to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee its response to the Review’s recommendations.
Cabinet Member:
Health & Community Services Report by Director for Social & Health Care and Head of Property (CA12). A report was presented to the Executive on 18 March 2003, outlining the progress that had been made in moving residents from hostels managed by Oxfordshire County Council into housing in the community. It was recommended that a step by step approach was taken in relation to the remaining 16 residents living at Stowford Hostel, recognising that the final solution was not clear at that time and depended on the needs and wishes of the remaining residents, and their families. The purpose of the attached report is to recommend a proposal for the future of the service at Stowford House. To continue to provide the service Stowford House is not viable. It is recommended that it is declared surplus and sold. As a condition of the sale, two bungalows should be provided with nomination rights in favour of supported living clients of Oxfordshire County Council for a period of 50 years. The supported living service would be provided by the Social & Health Care South and Vale Supported Living Service. The residents should remain in the hostel until the new accommodation could be built, in order for them to be involved in the development of their new home. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree that:
Cabinet Member:
Sustainable Development, Transport Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA13). This report sets out proposals for making traffic regulation orders (TROs) to prohibit motorised vehicles (except for access) between 1 October and 30 April each year on two sections of The Ridgeway National Trail in Oxfordshire and a short adjoining section of the Swans Way. The proposed TROs are part of a wider programme of action being undertaken by the highway authorities and the Countryside Agency on The Ridgeway National Trail. This covers surface repairs, drainage work and action against illegal vehicular use as well as traffic regulation orders. Two separate orders are now proposed. The first covers the 22.34 Km of The Ridgeway National Trail along the top of the escarpment of the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs between the county boundary at Ashbury east to the county boundary at East Hendred. The second covers the section from Britwell Salome northeast to Lewknor along the foot of the Chilterns escarpment together with a short section of the Swans Way, a total of 9.26Km. Consultation regarding the proposals has been carried out on behalf of the County Council by its consultants Jacobs Babtie. Of the 139 responses to the consultation 17 (12%) raised objections and 120 (86%) respondents expressed support. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED having regard to the responses received during the consultation, to proceed with the proposed seasonal traffic regulation orders to prohibit motorised vehicles during the winter (1 October to 30 April) each year, subject to the minor clerical amendment referred to at paragraph 22 of the report.
Cabinet Member:
Policy Co-ordination Report by County Council Management Team (CA14). On 15 March 2005, the Executive agreed the Social Inclusion Action Plan Framework as the basis for a prioritised corporate Social Inclusion Action Plan to be developed during 2005-06. The Framework comprehensively mapped the Council’s functions and demonstrated how the vast majority of our services contribute to improving social inclusion in Oxfordshire. This builds on the Council’s Social Inclusion Strategy, which identifies six key measures for achieving social inclusion and shows how these reflect the Council’s aim, strategic objectives and values. The key social inclusion measures are:
The proposed Social Inclusion Action Plan now identifies a limited number of prioritised headline actions being undertaken during 2005-06. It demonstrates improved linkages across directorates on social inclusion issues, overcoming barriers to joint working, and will assist us in demonstrating, in a concise manner, consistent progress on social inclusion issues across the Council and the real improvements being achieved for our customers. The focus of the headline actions identified in the action plan is on extending learning opportunities and improving academic attainment; helping people into work and supporting local businesses in providing employment opportunities; protecting vulnerable children and supporting people to live independently; reducing youth offending, supporting multi-agency work on crime and tackling drug misuse; supporting thriving, sustainable communities and promoting affordable housing; and increasing access to local services for rural and urban communities by improving transport links. These also fit the priorities identified by the Cabinet in agreeing the Leader’s report on implementing the manifesto pledges. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the Social Inclusion Action Plan set out in Annex 1 to the report.
Cabinet Member:
Schools Improvement Report by Director for Learning & Culture (CA15) (download as .doc file). On 29 June 2004, the Learning & Culture Scrutiny Committee agreed a report on "Faith in Our Schools" by its Lead Member Review Group, for submission to the Executive. On 20 July 2004 the Executive accepted one recommendation with a single alteration and requested the Director for Learning & Culture to examine the remainder recommendations R2 – R9 in detail and bring a report to the Executive setting out the implications. On 22 June 2005, the Cabinet endorsed a report on "Implementing the Manifesto Pledges" presented by the Leader of the Council. It stated that a report would be going to the Cabinet on 19 July 2005 dealing with the recommendations of the "Faith in Our Schools" Scrutiny report, and that the Administration "will provide strong support to schools to help them develop an appropriate range of faith specific facilities, where required". This report includes a response to the outstanding recommendations and examines their implications of the for the Children and Young People’s Plan. All nine recommendations set out a very substantial body of work, if accepted in full, for staff in Learning & Culture and for staff and governors in schools. These are resource implications in terms of implementing some of the recommendations and in terms of acquiring the necessary staff skills and expertise to undertake the work. The
Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to consideration of any advice from
the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee:
(c) to ask officers to incorporate reference to faith groups, based on the outcomes from this report and the decisions already taken, in the development of the Children & Young People’s Plan to be presented to the Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in September/October 2005 (Review Recommendation R4); (d) to review with the relevant Diocese admissions to a new VA secondary school at any point in the future when a new VA school is planned (Review Recommendation R5); (e) to ask officers, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Children & Young People and School Improvement, to identify issues on which there could be productive discussions with groups represented on the SACRE on the implementation of any actions agreed as a result of these recommendations and ways of working in the future (Review Recommendations R6 and R8) and to arrange a meeting between those Members and representatives of those groups accordingly; (f) to write to the Training and Development Agency for Schools to draw to their attention the importance of all teachers in training being aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of children and young people of all faith communities and none (Review Recommendation R7); (g) to consider, in the light of the outcome of the above, whether to establish a working group to monitor and oversee progress of implementation (Review Recommendation R9).
Cabinet Member:
Finance, Transport The Director for Environment & Economy reports as follows: The Joint Oxford City & Oxfordshire County Council Scrutiny Review of the Cornmarket Street Reconstruction Scheme reported in February 2005. The final recommendation of the Review was for the two authorities to produce a joint response to the report, including an action plan, for consideration by the end of July 2005. The proposed joint response to the review prepared in the names of the Leaders of the two Councils is attached at CA16. The joint response welcomes the independent Joint Scrutiny report as an explanation of the delays and increased costs. It expresses sincere regret as to the problems that occurred during the Cornmarket project and recognises that the delivery of this key project fell far short of what the public of Oxford and Oxfordshire deserve. The lessons learnt during this project, and the welcome report from the Independent Scrutiny Panel, have helped to identify what went wrong and how to put it right. The response concludes by stating the determination of both Councils to resolve the failings highlighted by the review and to implement the action plan in order to address the recommendations in the report. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to adopt the response and endorse the proposals set out in the Action Plan.
Cabinet Members:
Health & Community Services, Schools Improvement Report by Director for Learning & Culture (CA17). The Oxford City Sub-Committee of the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee have carried out this review, into "Oral health and the promotion of healthy eating promotion to young people, particularly focusing on 5-11 yr age group". The Review Report highlights that there is a need for a co-ordinated county-wide response to increasing the oral health and healthy eating of young people, particularly in the primary sector, targeting young people and families from communities where there are pockets of deprivation across the county. Generally the dental health of young people is poorer than it should be, particularly for children on free school meals. The officer report accompanying the agenda sets out comments on the Review recommendations and suggests a response where appropriate. This draws on inputs from the Oxford City PCT, the Healthy Oxfordshire Schools Team, and Trading Standards and Strategic Policy & Economic Development in the Environment & Economy Directorate, as well as officers from the Directorate of Learning & Culture. The breadth of the Review’s recommendations fits well with our development of a Children and Young People’s Plan and the outcome of ‘Be Healthy’, a programme which focuses the attention of all agencies working with children and young people to help them to become physically, mentally and sexually healthy, to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to choose not to take illegal drugs. The Review’s executive summary and recommendations are included with the report. The full Review Report has been circulated to Cabinet Members and is available for public inspection. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to welcome the Scrutiny Review and endorse the response on the part of the County Council set out in Annex 2 to the report.
Cabinet Member:
All The Cabinet Procedure Rules provide that the business of each meeting at the Cabinet is to include "updating of the Forward Plan and proposals for business to be conducted at the following meeting". Items from the Forward Plan for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet appear in the Schedule at CA18. This includes any updated information relating to the business for those meetings that has already been identified for inclusion in the next Forward Plan update. The Schedule is for noting, but Cabinet Members may also wish to take this opportunity to identify any further changes they would wish to be incorporated in the next Forward Plan update. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings. July 2005 |
