Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/198

Contact: Claire Evans, Strategic Partnerships Manager (01865 323966)

Report by: Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy)

n 2007 we took our first steps towards a focus on localities when we agreed a Closer to Communities Strategy – an outline framework for locality working based around 25 “natural community areas”. We explored how to engage more actively with key local partnerships (for example in Bicester and Abingdon), communicate with the public about service provision in localities and promote the benefits of community led-planning (for example, parish plans). 

It is now proposed that we reduce these 25 areas to 14 localities, being a more manageable number in terms of officer support and communication.

During November the Closer to Communities report was circulated to all County Council elected members and discussed at Informal Cabinet and the Corporate Core opposition briefing. It was also circulated to all District Chief Executives, the Primary Care Trust and Police for comment.

Within the 14 localities Cabinet has already identified Didcot, Abingdon, Bicester, Carterton, Banbury and Oxford as being a high priority because of planned developments. For these priority areas we have used a wide range information to identify the key issues and recommendations are proposed for each of the priority places.

It is RECOMMENDED that Cabinet:

(a)               approve the 14 proposed locality areas for further discussion with partner organisations; and

(b)       approve the recommendations for making progress on locality arrangements in the 6 priority places.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval of proposals to further develop locality working.

Councillor Patrick, Leader of the Opposition, queried what criteria had been used to select the 6 priority areas identified in the report. She queried where the resources for the work were to be found. She had a concern that the focus on localities could lead to a duplication of effort by, for example, the splitting of transport depots.

The Leader responded that the 6 areas had been selected as those having a number of issues based on the experience of Cabinet Members. He accepted that there were not huge resources available and felt it would be interesting to see what could be achieved. The Head of Partnership Working gave assurances that the intention was not to split services up into 14 locality units. It was hoped that the actions would lead to better engagement with local areas.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)               approve the 14 proposed locality areas for further discussion with partner organisations; and

(b)       approve the recommendations for making progress on locality arrangements in the 6 priority places.