Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Hibbert Biles.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2014 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2014 were approved and signed.

Councillor Jean Fooks had given notice of the following question to Councillor Rose:

“It is good that we have a screen in the reception area giving information about meetings  in County Hall. However, it would be much more useful if it listed meetings in time order, giving the room involved, rather than in room order as at present. Please can you change this to help people find the meeting they want to attend?”

Councillor Rose replied:

“I thank the Councillor for this enquiry and take on board the request for a more user friendly screen presentation. Once this is established I will be consulting the group leaders before going forward.”

Councillor Nick Hards had given notice of the following question to Councillor Heathcoat

“How helpful or otherwise is the delivery of personal budgets through self-directed support in Oxfordshire?”

Councillor Heathcoat replied:

·       “We strongly support the use of personal budgets as a way of allowing people more choice and control over their care.

·       Oxfordshire performs extremely well on the numbers of people receiving self-directed support.

o   In the national outcome framework for adult social care for 12/13, 71% of adults, older people and carers receiving community based services are receiving self-directed support compared to 56.2% nationally.

o   45.5% of adults, older people and carers receiving community based services are receiving a direct payment, the highest percentage in the country and significantly higher than the national average of 16.8%.   

·       Each year we take part in a national survey of people who use social care. Last year over 500 people in Oxfordshire responded to the survey.

o   93.7% said they were satisfied with the service they got (compared to 90.4% nationally).

o   62.7% said they were very satisfied (compared to 64.1% nationally)

·       There was a specific evaluation of people in Oxfordshire receiving a direct payment at the end of 2012.

o   People felt they had increased choice and control,  and they found support networks of other people who receive direct payments really helpful.

o   They also highlighted the need to improve the customer journey from assessment to management of direct payments, and to provide more information and training around how to manage direct payments.

·       Since this survey we have done a great deal of work to improve information and advice, including the introduction of community information networks, and the Adult Services Improvement Programme will simplify the process of accessing and managing personal budgets and direct payments further.”

Councillor Nick Hards had given notice of the following question to Councillor Rose

“I see that a new approval and adoption scheme is being put in place for sustainable drainage systems on new developments (Annex 9 on page 53 of the Cabinet papers). How hopeful are you that this scheme will reduce the incidence of flash flooding associated with new developments in the county?”

Councillor Rose replied:

“Sustainable Drainage (SUDS) is being promoted on all new developments as a method of restricting the discharge from the development to the green field run off rate only,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33/14

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

Item 6 – Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance

Item 7 – Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment; Councillor Nick Hards, Councillor Liz Brighouse, local councillors

Item 8 – Councillor John Christie, Deputy Opposition Leader

Item 9 – Mr Richard Burden, Oxfordshire Carehomes Association

Item 10 – Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/174

Contact: Stephanie Skivington, Corporate Finance Manager Tel: (01865) 323995

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA6 ).

This report focuses on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies which were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2013/14 – 2016/17. Parts 1 and 2 include projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of February 2014, and also an update on grant funding for the costs of the recent flooding.  Capital Programme monitoring is included at Part 3.  Part 4 sets out requests for changes to 2014/15 Fees and Charges and the Contributions in Adult Social Care Policy.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             note the report;

(b)            note the 2013/14 virements set out in Annex 2d;

(c)             approve the 2014/15 virement requests set out in Annex 8; and

(d)            RECOMMEND Council to approve the requests to move additional non – Pool Mental Health expenditure into the Pool and to approve the use of £2.000m of the Public Health Grant Funding to support the Capital Programme in 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 49 and Annex 8;

(e)             approve the debt write off set out in paragraph 53;

(f)              note the updated Treasury Management lending list at Annex 4;

(g)            note the changes to the Capital Programme set out in Annex 7c;

(h)            approve the changes to Fees & Charges and the Contributions in Adult Social Care Policy as set out in Annex 9.

Cabinet considered a report that focused on the delivery of the Directorate Business Strategies which were agreed as part of the Service and Resource Planning Process for 2013/14 – 2016/17. Parts 1 and 2 included projections for revenue, reserves and balances as at the end of February 2014, and also an update on grant funding for the costs of the recent flooding. Capital Programme monitoring was included at Part 3. Part 4 set out requests for changes to 2014/15 Fees and Charges and the Contributions in Adult Social Care Policy.

Councillor Hards referred to the useful overview provided by the summary on page 13 and commented that it would be helpful if public health information could be included. Referring to the savings as a result of staff vacancies he sought assurances that the impact on services would be monitored. Referring to the extra funding to deal with the impact of flooding he expressed concern that with only a limited number of experts in the field we would not be able to get the right people. He highlighted the one off funding for the Thriving families programme and looked forward to seeing how it progressed.

The Leader, responding, paid tribute to the Thriving Families Team who had done a terrific job which had been recognised by central government. Councillor Tilley, Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families commented that the Thriving Families programme was very much valued and every effort would be made to keep it going.

Councillor Fatemian, responding, thanked Councillor Hards for his comments. He recognised that the hiring freeze put a possible pressure on staff but felt that overall there was an effort to ensure that they were not under undue pressure. Where there were issues they were picked up and he paid tribute to staff who worked to targets and were delivering the budget.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)                note the report;

(b)                note the 2013/14 virements set out in Annex 2d;

(c)                approve the 2014/15 virement requests set out in Annex 8; and

(d)                RECOMMEND Council to approve the requests to move additional non – Pool Mental Health expenditure into the Pool and to approve the use of £2.000m of the Public Health Grant Funding to support the Capital Programme in 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 49 and Annex 8;

(e)                approve the debt write off set out in paragraph 53;

(f)                 note the updated Treasury Management lending list at Annex 4;

(g)                note the changes to the Capital Programme set out in Annex 7c;

(h)                approve the changes to Fees & Charges and the Contributions in Adult Social Care Policy as set out in Annex 9.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader and Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/049

Contact: Tom Flanagan, Service Manager – Planning Environment & Transport Policy Tel: (01865) 815691

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA7).

The report summarises Oxfordshire County Council's City Deal submission as the first phase of achieving our long term ambition which will be fully set out in the forthcoming Strategic Economic Plan and further developed through the Local Growth Deal.           The City Deal represents an opportunity to ensure Oxford and Oxfordshire overcomes the historic barriers to innovation and enterprise through a transformational network of connected hubs, creating an ecosystem where research, innovation, investment and enterprise meet and flourish. This will be supported by an integrated transport network along the Knowledge Economy Spine which will directly support the innovation hubs. The packages that were submitted  as detailed Buisness Cases are Northern Gatway, Access to Enterprise Zone and Science Transit Phase 1. The report sets out the City Deal Transport Business Cases, progress to date,  and requests the schemes' inclusion into the Capital Programme. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)       approve the proposed schemes for inclusion into the Capital Programme, to note the progress of the business case for each scheme and to note that the detailed business cases will be submitted for approval, in accordance with the financial procedure rules; and

(b)         approve the release of £1.5m project development budget for the Access to Enterprise Zone project under stage 0b of the capital governance procedures.

The report summarised Oxfordshire County Council's City Deal submission as the first phase of achieving the long term ambition which will be fully set out in the forthcoming Strategic Economic Plan and further developed through the Local Growth Deal.        The report set out the City Deal Transport Business Cases, progress to date, and requested the schemes' inclusion into the Capital Programme.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, in accepting the concept raised a few individual issues: the bio escalator for the Churchill hospital site would put pressure on the infrastructure; referring to the Growth Board and the inclusion of District Councillors he queried whether there would be a conflict for them between wanting to save the green belt and the growth agenda; referring to all the transport schemes he queried who would be connecting them all up.

Councillor Hudspeth commented that the Universities were promoting the bio escalator and that the Growth Board would negotiate to find the right areas for development. Sue Scane and her team had done a great deal of work so far and there would be people working on the individual projects.

Councillor Hards, speaking as the local councillor for Didcot West highlighted the maps on page 71 and the implications of the Strategic Housing market Assessment (SHMA) for Didcot. With the proposed development getting the highways right was vital. The work to the transport hub would be wasted if the road network around it was choked. He also queried aspects of the funding.

The Leader responded to the points made and in particular commented that the SHMA had only been published in February and sites had not yet been identified. The County Council was working closely with District Councils to determine requirements. He highlighted that in terms of transport, cycling was a key element, particularly cycling between Didcot and Harwell science park. He would discuss the funding queries separately with Councillor Hards.

Councillor Brighouse, speaking as local councillor for Churchill & Lye Valley in connection with the bioescalator emphasised the concerns around road capacities in the local area. Transport reports from the City Council had highlighted severe transport problems more than once. There were major implications for the local community in terms of the traffic generated. Councillor Brighouse highlighted a number of issues, including problems with Old Road, the possibility of CPZs and that the Neighbourhood Planning Area would exclude Wood Farm so that needed funding from the CIL may not reach the community. The Leader commented that the Oxford Transport Strategy would look at these issues.

Councillor Nimmo Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment, moved the recommendations.

Sue Scane, Director for Environment & Economy, corrected the dates on page 59 of the agenda to read October 2013to June 2014. Although the timescles were very tight work had been ongoing for some time. The biggest risk was that the Government had made it clear the money had to be spent by 2015. 

RESOLVED:           to

(a)            approve the proposed schemes for inclusion into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36/14

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/169

Contact: Graham Shaw, Deputy Director – OCS Tel: (01865) 797228/Frances Craven, Deputy Director – Education & Early Intervention Tel: (01865) 815125

Report by Chief Executive (CA8).

The report provides an update and next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             Suspend the current procurement process for the Outsource of Finance and HR back-office services and the Joint Venture for School Improvement and related support services for schools (with the exception of Outdoor Education Centres);

(b)             Commission a full business case for Oxfordshire with a view to joining the Hampshire IBC partnership and creation of a new partnership with Hampshire for Education services.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update and sought approval to the next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

Councillor Christie, Opposition Deputy Leader, stated that this was a very welcome initiative and he offered public support for the recommendations. He commented that there was a lot of detail to be considered, not least governance and staffing. Staff had concerns which would need sensitive handling. He looked forward to seeing he detailed business case at scrutiny.

Councillor Rose in proposing the recommendations stated that he did welcome them and that if it did not work out there was the option to return to the full procurement process. Schools had previously indicated they preferred the status quo and valued the public element of the services provided so the public partnership element was to be welcomed.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)                suspend the current procurement process for the Outsource of Finance and HR back-office services and the Joint Venture for School Improvement and related support services for schools (with the exception of Outdoor Education Centres); and

(b)                commission a full business case for Oxfordshire with a view to joining the Hampshire IBC partnership and creation of a new partnership with Hampshire for Education services.

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/010

Contact: Andrew Colling, Quality & Contracts Manager Tel: (01865) 323682

Report by Director for Social & Community Services (CA9).

The services that care homes provide within Oxfordshire play an important role in helping to meet the needs of vulnerable adults.  The Council has to ensure that there is sufficient capacity within the social care market to meet its current and future commissioning requirements.

The Council has stated that it is keen to ensure the sustainability of care home services in Oxfordshire to meet the assessed needs of vulnerable adults, and committed to work alongside providers to ensure that services are of the highest quality.

The purpose of this report is to describe the process the Council has undertaken to review the amount it pays for care homes this year, and to agree the Target Banding Rates to be applied for 2014-15.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED that in view of the information in the report:

(a)      for 2014/15 to:

• Revise our Target banding Rates from April 2014 and

                  (i).        Increase the Target Banding rate for the Residential-Extensive Specialist Category to £458 per week for new placements.

                 (ii).        Increase all existing weekly Residential payment rates that are currently paid below £452 per week to £458 per week

               (iii).        Increase the Nursing-Extensive Target Banding Rate to £568 per week

               (iv).        Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive and Substantial rates that are currently below £560 per week to £568 per week.

                (v).        Increase  the Nursing-Specialist Target Banding Rate to £639 per week

               (vi).        Increase the above rates to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing Care once this is announced later in April 2014.

              (vii).        Continue to use these rates as a guide to secure a care home placement  at a funding level as close to the Target Banding Rate as possible. 

            (viii).        The above to apply from April 2014 and for care home placements in Oxfordshire.

(b)  Cabinet are requested to approve a permanent virement of £217,000 from     corporate contingency to fund the increase in the Target Banding Rate.

Cabinet considered a report that described the process the Council had undertaken to review the amount it pays for care homes this year, and that sought agreement of the Target Banding Rates to be applied for 2014-15.

Mr Richard Burden, Oxfordshire Carehomes Association, spoke on the fee increase figures and the lack of response from Care Homes referred to in the report. He commented that in the past figures had been provided and that the Council had a good idea of the figures. He noted the decline in the number of homes accepting Council placements and with regard to delayed transfer of care hoped the Council would not give up an opportunity to help the situation. He called on the Council to move to a negotiated fee increase. Responding to questions from Members Mr Burden commented that it was difficult to fill out the online form in the timescale provided unless you already had figures separated out. He referred to his costs per week and commented that the Council fees were far adrift of these figures. He did not take people at the Council rates.

Councillor Heathcoat, in proposing the recommendation emphasised that her role was to support the users to ensure genuine choice. However there had been wide consultation with the Care Homes with an open process asking for information. The model used was robust and in use nationally.

RESOLVED:           that in view of the information in the report:

(a)        for 2014/15 to:

• Revise our Target banding Rates from April 2014 and:

                      (i).          Increase the Target Banding rate for the Residential-Extensive Specialist Category to £458 per week for new placements.

                     (ii).          Increase all existing weekly Residential payment rates that are currently paid below £452 per week to £458 per week

                    (iii).          Increase the Nursing-Extensive Target Banding Rate to £568 per week

                   (iv).          Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive and Substantial rates that are currently below £560 per week to £568 per week.

                    (v).          Increase the Nursing-Specialist Target Banding Rate to £639 per week

                   (vi).          Increase the above rates to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing Care once this is announced later in April 2014.

                  (vii).          Continue to use these rates as a guide to secure a care home placement at a funding level as close to the Target Banding Rate as possible.

                (viii).          The above to apply from April 2014 and for care home placements in Oxfordshire.

(b)      to approve a permanent virement of £217,000 from corporate contingency to fund the increase in the Target Banding Rate.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/175

Contact: Maggie Scott, Acting Head of Policy Tel: (01865) 816081

Report by Acting Head of Policy (CA10).

This paper provides details of performance for quarter three for the Cabinet to consider. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note and discuss the performance reported in the dashboards.

Cabinet had before them a report that provided details of performance for quarter three for the Cabinet to consider. The report is required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the Council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

Councillor Brighouse commented that the Performance Scrutiny Committee had considered the issues raised by the report. Responding to a comment from Councillor Chapman, Councillor Brighouse confirmed that the Performance Scrutiny Committee had scheduled an item on the 365 Alive Campaign for a future meeting.

Councillor Heathcoat, noted that delayed transfer of care had been brought up in the report and at the Performance Scrutiny Committee which she had attended. She commented that a lot of work was being done and improvements were being made. There was a need to ensure that these improvements were sustained. She also noted that re-ablement was improving.

RESOLVED:           following discussion to note the performance reported in the dashboards.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/176

Contact: Sue Whitehead, Committee Services Manager Tel: (01865) 810262

RESOLVED:           to note the following executive decisions taken by the Chief Executive under the specific powers and functions delegated to her under the terms of Part 7.4 of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 1(A)(c)(i).

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Sue Whitehead, Committee Services Manager (01865 810262)

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 CA12.  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.

The Cabinet considered a list of items for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet together with changes and additions set out in the schedule of addenda.

RESOLVED:to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.