Return to AgendaITEM CC9COUNTY COUNCIL – 8 JANUARY 2008
REPORT OF THE CABINET
Cabinet Member: Finance
1. Financial Monitoring (Cabinet, 20 November & 18 December 2007)
The Cabinet has considered two financial monitoring reports. The report to the meeting on 20 November covered the period ended 30 September 2007 and the report to the meeting on 18 December covered the period ended 31 October 2007.
At the November Cabinet meeting, it was reported that the in-year overspend for the Directorates was predicted to be £1.655m - a reduction of £0.642m from August. This excludes the City Schools reorganisation overspend of £1.957m (repayment planned over a number of years) and the Schools Transport days variation of -£0.320m. An underspend was also reported on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £1.144m. Supplementary estimates totalling £0.955m were requested in the report associated with costs incurred because of the July floods. Allowing for this, balances were £20.2m at the end of September. This gave an overall consolidated balances forecast for the year-end of £18.894m.
The Cabinet approved the virements, supplementary estimates totalling £0.955m set out in the report to Cabinet, plus further supplementary estimates of £0.026m detailed in the addenda to the report, and a revised Capital Programme updated to reflect the variations reported in the financial monitoring process and a review of the funding available.
At the December Cabinet meeting, it was reported that the in-year overspend for the Directorates was predicted to be £1.651m - a slight reduction from September. This excludes the City Schools reorganisation overspend and the Schools Transport days variation. An underspend was also reported on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £1.144m. Supplementary estimates totalling £1.033m were requested in the report associated with costs incurred because of the July floods. Allowing for this, balances were £20.151m at the end of October. This gave an overall consolidated balances forecast for the year-end of £18.820m.
The Cabinet approved the virements and supplementary estimates totalling £0.052m as detailed in the Annex to the report to Cabinet, and a revised Capital Programme updated to reflect the variations reported in the financial monitoring process and a review of the funding available. It also considered two permanent virements for the use of £0.800m of the unallocated DSG budget within Early Years and Family Support, £0.400m to Family Support & Assessment to increase the establishment of social workers and £0.400m to Agency Placements to address the ongoing pressures in relation to education and transport costs.
The Cabinet RECOMMENDS the Council to:
(a) approve the permanent virement of £0.800m from the Dedicated Schools Grant unallocated budget as follows: £0.400m to Family Support & Assessment to increase the establishment of social workers and £0.400m to Agency Placements to address the ongoing pressures in relation to education and transport costs; and
(b) approve the allocation of the LABGI grant as set out in Annex 1 (download as .doc file).
2. Service & Resource Planning 2008/09 to 2012/13 (Cabinet, 20 November & 18 December 2007)
At the November meeting, the Cabinet considered the second in a series of reports on the service and resource planning process for 2008/09 to 2012/13, providing Members with information on the budget issues for 2008/09 and the medium term. The report set out the main issues from the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and, where it could be ascertained, the impact on Oxfordshire. The report also provided the latest information available on capital resources available for Schools over the CSR period.
The Cabinet approved the report and agreed to consider exploring the possibility of a scheme for Supplementary Business Rates in Oxfordshire. The Cabinet also agreed to consider how it would address the implications of the unannounced schools capital allocations for 2008/09 to 2010/11 being received through supported borrowing which would be effectively unsupported because the council is a “floor” authority.
At the December meeting, the Cabinet considered the third in this series of reports to Cabinet. The report set out the review of charges, provided an update on the Service and Resource Planning process and included the latest information on the Council’s financial position. A supplementary report was included as part of the Addenda that detailed the outcomes of the Local Government Finance Settlement.
The Cabinet approved both reports; confirmed the allocation of formula grants for 2008/9 as set out in the supplementary report; noted changes prescribed by legislation and approved changes where local discretion is permitted; agreed not to fund the ITS and Highways Maintenance supported borrowing allocations above the levels included in the existing MTFP because, as a “floor” authority, it was effectively unsupported by government grant; and considered the use of prudential borrowing for funding the unmet capital needs for non schools and non transport.
3. Asset Management Plan and Capital Strategy for 2008/09 to 2012/13 (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet considered the updated Corporate Asset Management Plan (AMP) and the Capital Strategy (CS) for the period 2008/09 – 20012/13. The Cabinet also received the comments of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee on 8 November 2007, and those of the Capital Steering Group on 9 November 2007.
The AMP sets out the Council’s current and future property asset needs that arise from the Council’s corporate and service priorities and the Council’s approach to meeting those needs. The CS sets out the County Council’s investment strategy. These documents are an important part of the overall planning framework for the Council. The final versions will go to Council for approval alongside the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) on 12 February 2008.
The Cabinet approved the updated documents.
4. Better Offices Programme – Central Offices (Cabinet, 18 December 2007)
The Cabinet considered a project appraisal relating to the rationalisation of space occupied in Central Oxford, resulting from the relocation of staff to the Shared Services Centre, and leading to better co-location of directorate teams. The project aims to release Macclesfield House for sale. Speedwell House and Clarendon House will not be refurbished during this programme. County Hall will be significantly refurbished to provide an open plan layout and the ability to introduce flexible working. The appraisal detailed a cost comparison to the original business case and outlined additional funding requirements.
The Cabinet approved the project appraisal for the refurbishment of County Hall, subject to £886,000 being provided as part of the Service and Resource Planning process.
Cabinet Member: Change Management
5. Second Annual Report of the Change Management Board – Taking Forward the Change Agenda (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet considered the second annual report of the Change Management Board that summarised the Board’s progress in delivering the Council's change programme over the last year and suggested priorities for the Board’s future.
Substantial progress has been made on the major strategic programmes that report to the Board, such as the Shared Services programme and Charter Mark programme. The Board commissioned a ‘gap analysis’ to identify key areas of action for the future, which include the new ‘Shaping Up’ programme.
The Cabinet approved the report and agreed the Board’s priorities for its third year of operation.
6. Establishment Review (Cabinet, 18 December 2007)
The Cabinet considered a report containing an update since the implementation of the Establishment Review and associated Recruitment Approval process on 1 August 2005. It detailed the overall objectives of the review and summarised progress made against the targets which were agreed to ensure delivery of those objectives. Details of the agreed establishment figure at 30 September 2007 in terms of Full Time Equivalents were provided, together with the detailed staffing position at 30 September 2007.
The Cabinet noted the report and confirmed that the Establishment Review continued to meet the Cabinet’s requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.
7. Race Equality Scheme (Cabinet, 18 December 2007)
The Cabinet received a revised race equality scheme, in accordance with the Race Relations Act 1976 and amendments. The revised scheme is intended to act both as a clear sign-post to the Council’s commitment to race equality and as a blueprint for its delivery. It makes race equality central to the way the Council works and puts it at the heart of planning, service delivery and employment practices.
The draft race equality scheme has been prepared following wide ranging engagement and consultation with a variety of stakeholders, voluntary and community organisations, race equality specialist workers, partner organisations and other stakeholders and is focused on a clear set of prioritised outcomes that will be of real benefit to the people of Oxfordshire.
The Cabinet agreed to circulate the draft Race Equality Scheme for consultation and will consider the final draft at the meeting of the Cabinet on 15 January 2008. Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement
8. Outcome of Formal Consultations on Proposals to Close Peers School to Enable it to Become an Academy (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet approved the issue of statutory notices for the closure of Peers School at its meeting on 18 September 2007. The report detailed the outcome of this formal consultation and outlined who had been sent the statutory information and notified of the publication and asked the Cabinet to make a decision whether to proceed with the closure under the guidelines in the Education & Inspections Act 2006.
An Outline Business Case for the proposed Academy will be submitted to the Cabinet in January 2008, so that all financial and legal issues relating to the establishment of an Academy to replace Peers School can be taken into account.
The Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 30 October and agreed to advise the Cabinet that it would wish the County Council to express a preference for a stakeholder governing body to be put in place, should agreement be given for an Academy to be established.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to close Peers School on 31 August 2008, conditional on the transfer of all pupils from the school in question to the Academy, the acceptance of the Outline Business Case at the meeting of the Cabinet on 15 January 2008, and approval from the Secretary of State for the creation of the Academy.
Cabinet Member: Social & Community Services
9. Director for Public Health Annual Report – Six-Month Review (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director for Public Health, which detailed the progress made so far in tackling the key changes for the public health of Oxfordshire and included proposals for future action.
The Cabinet took note of the six-month review of the second Annual Report and the methods by which it was seeking to improve public health in Oxfordshire.
Cabinet Member: Transport
10. Oxford – London Road Corridor Scheme and Summertown Shopping Area Street Environmental Scheme (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet considered the detailed project appraisals H188 & H187 (London Road Corridor and Summertown Area Street Environmental Schemes) under the Financial Procedure Rules, which require that all capital projects that exceed £1,000,000 be submitted to Cabinet for approval.
The London Road Corridor scheme (Pullens Lane – Osler Road) and the Summertown shopping area street environmental scheme are included in the Council’s Local Transport Programme for 2006-2011. Both schemes have been the subject of public consultation exercises and the designs have now been developed to project appraisal stage. These schemes aim to improve traffic flow and increase road safety for all users.
The Cabinet approved the two project appraisals.
11. Oxfordshire Highways Contract Strategy (Cabinet, 18 December 2007)
The Cabinet considered new arrangements for Oxfordshire Highways service contracts. The service is currently supported through two separate contracts: the Combined Maintenance Contract and the Engineering Consultancy Services contract. These current contracts are due to expire in March 2010 and March 2009 respectively. The report sets out a strategy for the procurement of a replacement service provider to support Oxfordshire Highways.
The Cabinet approved the preparation of a contract for the appointment of a single service provider to support Oxfordshire Highways; the outline programme for the tendering process as detailed in the report to the Cabinet; and the establishment of a Project Board to direct the process.
Cabinet Member: Community Safety
12. Flooding in Oxfordshire 2007 (Cabinet, 20 November 2007)
The Cabinet considered a report that identified the strategic learning points that arose from the multi-agency emergency response to the flooding in Oxfordshire in July 2007. The learning points were broken down into Command and Control; Communication; and Pre-Planning issues.
The Cabinet agreed to thank all those, including officers and councillors, involved in the response to the July 2007 flooding in Oxfordshire. The Cabinet also tasked the Head of Fire & Rescue Service Delivery and Emergency Planning to table the development and action plan for collective emergency response improvement through the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum.
KEITH R MITCHELL CBE Leader of the Council
December 2007
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