Agenda, decisions and minutes

An apology was received from Councillor Nick Carter.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale declared an interest as a local councillor in respect of Item 8 on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2014 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 October were agreed and signed.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Tilley:

'It is disappointing that the early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP) results for Oxfordshire published by the DfE on the 20th November were among the worst of all the authorities in the South East region for achieving appropriate standards in all early learning goals (ELGs) despite the efforts of many professionals working with young children: what further steps does she think are possible to at least raise the standard in Oxfordshire to that of the regional average?’

Councillor Tilley replied:

·       “Firstly, it is only the second year of this specific assessment, which is conducted through adults observing children during classroom activities. The assessment is not as objective as, for example, the marking of examination papers. In Oxfordshire there has been very rigorous training of teachers and other adults conducting the assessment. Oxfordshire works with a number of neighbouring local authorities to check that assessments are consistent across different local authority areas, but not with all the local authorities that you mention. Oxfordshire scored the second highest ‘Good Level of Development’ out of these six local authorities.

·       Secondly, Oxfordshire’s results increased considerably from 2013 to 2014, with a 12% increase in the number of children reaching a ‘Good Level of Development’.

·       Bearing in mind these contextual factors, the results are not as disappointing as might initially be thought. However, you are right to ask what is being done to address under-achievement in the Foundation Stage.

·       From analysis of the data, it is scores in Literacy which have been lower in Oxfordshire, specifically in writing, and particularly boys’ writing.

·       The following activities are funded by the County Council to address this, and to aim to raise the standard in Oxfordshire to the regional average:

o   Training is delivered to schools where the results were particularly low.

o   In schools where teachers working in the foundation stage are inexperienced, additional training is offered.

o   Advisors and lead teachers work with pre-school settings (day nurseries, playgroups, childminders etc), checking that their assessments are accurate, so that accurate assessments can be passed to schools when children transfer.

o   Advisory support is provided for schools and settings that are inspected by Ofsted as offering less than a good standard of early education.

o   Children’s centres work with their local pre-school providers to help children facing difficulties to enjoy and benefit from their early learning experiences. Children’s centres also help parents to develop strong learning opportunities at home.

·       Examples of locally successful work, such as a storytelling project in Banbury, are shared so that Oxfordshire schools and settings can learn from success elsewhere”

Supplementary: Councillor Howson indicated he was willing to do everything possible to improve the situation and queried what if anything was coming from the 3 groups to bring the County up to the standard of near neighbours. Councillor Tilley welcomed Councillor Howson’s support and added that new ideas were constantly being developed. Most recent was a scheme for children to read  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107/14

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

Item 6 – Councillor Hards,

Item 8 – Councillor John Sanders, Councillor Anne Purse, Councillor Mathew, Councillor Atkins, Mr John Taylor, PAGE, Mr Arnold Grayson, CPRE, Mrs Julie Hankey, OUTRAGE Mr Ian Mason, BACHPORT

Item 9 – Councillor Gill Sanders,

Item 10 – Councillor John Sanders,

Item 11 – Councillor Brighouse,

Item 13 – Councillor Christie,

Item 15 – Mr Andy Cattermole, Taylor Wimpey

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/095

Contact: Greg Ley, Financial Manager – Pension Fund Investments Tel: (01865) 323978

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA6).

The report sets out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the first half of the financial year 2014/15 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.  The report includes Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator monitoring, changes in Strategy, and forecast interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the Treasury Management activity undertaken in the first half of the financial year 2014/15 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice. The report included Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator monitoring, changes in Strategy, and forecast interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, commented that the report gave a fair summary of the general economic position. There were difficult times ahead. He expressed concerns over the possible impact on future investment strategy of changes in January 2015. In particular in congratulating officers on efforts so far he queried whether it would be possible to continue to achieve above average profits with below average risk.

Councillor Stratford, Cabinet Member for Finance, indicated that they were awaiting the detail and would continue to do their best. The impact was uncertain as yet. Grey Ley added that officers were looking at alternative more secure options. In introducing the report Councillor Stratford commented that it was an encouraging mid term review, with debt financing improving.

RESOLVED: to note the report, and to RECOMMEND Council to note the Council’s Mid-Term Treasury Management Review 2014/15 and to approve the revision to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement & Annual Investment Strategy 2014/15.

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/163

Contact: Hannah Farncombe, Safeguarding Manager Tel: (01865) 815273

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA7).

At its meeting on 13 May 2014, Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of the Cabinet Advisory Group on the Strategic Assurance Framework for safeguarding children and young people. One of those recommendations was that Cabinet (among others) should be alerted to the outcome of all Serious Case Reviews and actions flowing from them. This is the first such report.

The Cabinet  is RECOMMENDED  to note the action being taken in response to the Serious Case Review.

At its meeting on 13 May 2014, Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of the Cabinet Advisory Group on the Strategic Assurance Framework for safeguarding children and young people. One of those recommendations was that Cabinet (among others) should be alerted to the outcome of all Serious Case Reviews and actions flowing from them. Cabinet had before them the first such report.

RESOLVED:           to note the action being taken in response to the Serious Case Review.

Cabinet considered a report that covered four separate but connected documents that related to the Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

Mr John Taylor, Chairman of PAGE, representing 8 Parish Council’s in South Oxfordshire spoke on the process used for the Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA). In November 2013 they had been pleased to see the 10 year sales average restored as the basis for the LAA. This had then been in the public consultation. In August 2014 a new consultant had resulted in a flawed document no longer using only the 10 year sales average. There was a duty to co-operate but Oxfordshire Councils and communities had been ignored. The result was an increase of the LAA to 1.015tonnes. This was a 42% increase which represented a new gravel pit. He asked Cabinet to go back to the 10 year sales average as agreed last November.

Mr Ian Mason, BACHPORT, spoke against the LAA figure suggesting it was based on flawed logic and guesswork. He refuted claims that Oxfordshire was special or unique. Structural market changes had impacted on demand with use declining due to the increased use of recycled and marine aggregates. It was wrong to look at the position 10 years ago as at that time Oxfordshire had been a massive exporter of aggregate. Production needed to come down as demand dropped. He asked that Cabinet support a 10 year average.

Responding to a question from members Mr Mason stated that the figues were guesswork as they looked only for reasons to increase. The figures varied and were not robust.

Mr Arnold Grayson, CPRE, speaking against the LAA figures commented that the numbers used were arbitrary and were used by the consultancy to manipulate the arguments.

Mrs Julie Hankey, OUTRAGE, also spoke against the change to the basis of the LAA. She compared the actual sales in the past year to the figure proposed. She pointed out that there had been no further consultation on the changed basis and that nothing had changed in the Oxfordshire position since February 2014. As someone involved in the process over a long period of time she felt that there was an imbalance in the Council’s attitude to providers and to the communities concerned.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, stated he was satisfied with the approach to the LAA as set out at paragraph 9 of the report. It took the 10 year average as a starting point but took into account reasonable expectations. In response to a query from Councillor Sanders expressing concern about the Core Strategy being in two parts, Bev Hindle explained the approach and gave an assurance that it would not be a problem going forward.

Councillor Purse, speaking as Vice-Chairman of the Minerals & Waste Cabinet Advisory Group stated that the Group although aware of the timetable to keep to had also been aware of the importance and impact of what they were being asked to consider. They had found it very tough. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111/14

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/120

To seek agreement to the Local Aggregate Assessment for 2014, setting out the Council’s updated annual assessment of the demand for, and supply of aggregate minerals in Oxfordshire.

RESOLVED:           to:

i.                 approve the Oxfordshire Local Aggregate Assessment 2014 at Annex 1 for use as the basis for provision for mineral working in the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan and for calculating the Oxfordshire landbank;

ii.                authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any necessary minor corrections and amendments and publish the Oxfordshire Local Aggregate Assessment 2014 on the Council website.

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/026

To seek agreement to the Minerals & Waste Local Plan: Core Strategy – Proposed Submission Document, setting out the Council’s proposed planning strategy and policies for minerals and waste developments in Oxfordshire to 2030, for publication for comment and submission to the Secretary of State for examination.

RESOLVED:           to:

  i.               agree the amended Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy at Annex 3 in principle as the basis of a complete amended version of the Plan for recommendation to Council for publication and submission to the Secretary of State under Regulations 19 and 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning( (England) Regulations 2012; and

 ii.               authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to finalise the Plan for recommendation to Council.

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/123

To recommend to Full Council a revised version of the Council’s Mineral & Waste Statement of Community Involvement for adoption.

RESOLVED:           to:

i.                 adopt the Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement with the amendments as shown in Annex 5 to replace the existing Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement adopted on 7 November 2006; and

ii.        authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any further factual corrections or updating required and finalise the adopted Statement of Community Involvement for publication.

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/121

To seek agreement of a revised Minerals & Waste Development Scheme 2014, setting out the Council’s updated programme for the preparation of the Oxfordshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

A.              

i.                approve the Oxfordshire Local Aggregate Assessment 2014 at Annex 1 for use as the basis for provision for mineral working in the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan and for calculating the Oxfordshire landbank;

ii.              authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any necessary minor corrections and amendments and publish the Oxfordshire Local Aggregate Assessment 2014 on the Council website.

B.               

 i.               agree the amended Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy at Annex 3 in principle as the basis of a complete amended version of the Plan for recommendation to Council for publication and submission to the Secretary of State under Regulations 19 and 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning( (England) Regulations 2012; and

ii.               authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to finalise the Plan for recommendation to Council.

C.              RECOMMEND to Council to

i.                adopt the Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement with the amendments as shown in Annex 5 to replace the existing Oxfordshire Statement of Community Involvement adopted on 7 November 2006; and

ii.       authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment tomake any further factual corrections or updating required and finalise the adopted Statement of Community Involvement for publication.

D.              

i.                approve the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (Sixth Revision) 2014 at Annex 6, subject to final detailed amendment and editing, to have effect from 23 December 2014;

ii.              authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning to:

(a)      carry out final detailed amendment and editing of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment;

(b)      take the necessary steps to bring the revised Scheme into effect from 23 December 2014 and publish the revised Scheme, in accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

RESOLVED:           to:

i.                 approve the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (Sixth Revision) 2014 at Annex 6, subject to final detailed amendment and editing, to have effect from 23 December 2014;

ii.                authorise the Deputy Director Strategy & Infrastructure Planning to:

(a)      carry out final detailed amendment and editing of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment;

(b)      take the necessary steps to bring the revised Scheme into effect from 23 December 2014 and publish the revised Scheme, in accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/097

Contact: Matthew Edwards, Corporate Parenting Manager Tel: (01865) 323098

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA9).

The report updates Cabinet on the progress achieved since The Placement Strategy was approved by Cabinet in July 2013.  This report provides an update on the strategy's four major work streams:  residential homes build, delivery model for edge of care and residential provision, re-commissioning of  young people's supported housing , and fostering and adoption reform.   It particularly draws attention to the challenges around foster care recruitment and asks Cabinet to endorse an ambition for Oxfordshire to become "the most fostering friendly county in the country".  It recognises that there needs to be a radical step change in recruitment of foster carers to relieve the pressure on the agency placement budget and that the local authority cannot be the sole driver but needs engagement from a number of partners including from business and the community.  A number of new approaches are recommended in this area and Cabinet is being asked to ensorse and support these approaches. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to endorse the initiatives set out in paragraph 13 of this report.

Cabinet considered a report that updated Cabinet on the progress achieved since The Placement Strategy was approved by Cabinet in July 2013. The report provided an update on the strategy's four major work streams: residential homes build, delivery model for edge of care and residential provision, re-commissioning of young people's supported housing, and fostering and adoption reform. It particularly drew attention to the challenges around foster care recruitment and sought Cabinet’s endorsement of a number of new approaches.

Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families, spoke in support of the work being undertaken and in particular the approaches to fostering care recruitment. The increasing costs were a huge challenge and the Council should express its concern to central government over the impact on funding.

During discussion Cabinet welcomed the report and made a number of suggestions around recruitment of foster carers.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to endorse the initiatives set out in paragraph 13 of the report.

At this point it was agreed to vary the order of items on the agenda.

Cabinet Member: Business & Customer Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/143

Contact:         Lawrence Bunn, Principal Strategic Procurement Manager

Tel: 07973 701827

Victoria Fletcher, Environment & Resource Efficiency Manager

Tel: (01865) 815420

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA11).

The paper sets out an approach to the procurement of electricity and gas for the period 2016-2020 for all of the Council's buildings, street lighting and other illuminated street furniture. The Council currently procures its energy from contracts established by LASER, a professional buying organisation, which tenders, awards and manages energy contracts on behalf of 160 local authorities and other organisations. The current energy contracts expire in 2016.

LASER has just completed a formal tender process in compliance with EU procurement rules resulting in the award of new energy contracts for the period 2016-2020.

The Council needs to decide now whether to continue to procure its energy via LASER from the new contracts commencing in 2016. This decision is needed now because LASER forward buys energy up to two years in advance in order to secure optimum energy prices.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)     approve the proposal to using the energy framework contracts established by LASER for the period 2016-20.

(b)     delegate to the Deputy Director – Commercial the authority to decide on the preferred in-contract purchasing option.

Cabinet considered a paper that set out an approach to the procurement of electricity and gas for the period 2016-2020 for all of the Council's buildings, street lighting and other illuminated street furniture.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader queried whether it would be possible to get some idea of where the energy is generated from. Cabinet was advised that it was not about electricity from a specific company. A proportion of the energy generated would be renewable. There was an option to purchase a greater proportion of renewables and the cost of that was being investigated.

During discussion Councillor Heathcoat referred to a scheme elsewhere to power buses from bio-fuel created from human waste and queried what work was being done in Oxfordshire with partners to promote new ideas. Bev Hindle replied that there were several trials in place and they were working closely with the Universities and bus companies.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)      approve the proposal to using the energy framework contracts established by LASER for the period 2016-20; and

(b)      delegate to the Deputy Director – Commercial the authority to decide on the preferred in-contract purchasing option.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/023

Contact: Steve Smith, Service Manager, Network & Asset Management Tel: (01865) 810435

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery (CA10).

It is a statutory duty for the highway authority to prepare, publish & review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP). The RoWIP provides the strategy framework for public rights of way recording, management and development.

Oxfordshire's first RoWIP was adopted on 21 February 2006 and ran until the end of 2011/12. On 22 March 2012 the Cabinet Member for Transport authorised the extension of the current RoWIP validity date to March 2014 and the development of its replacement.

The first consultation on the review of the RoWIP ran from November 2012 to January 2013. This secured broad agreement of the principles outlined for continuation into a new plan.  In light of these consultation responses the draft second Rights of Way Improvement Plan was developed. In recognition of the need to maintain existing rights of way as well as seek improvements to the network as a whole it was decided to amend title of the document to a Rights of Way Management Plan (RoWMP).

On 9 January 2014 the Cabinet Member for Environment authorised the publication of the draft Rights of Way Management Plan for public consultation and to extend the lifespan of the current plan until such time that approval for the finalised Rights of Way Management Plan document has been confirmed.

The second public consultation ran from January to May 2014.  In total 68 representations were made, including the Local Access Forum for Oxfordshire. All representations were considered and analysed. Where appropriate, the final draft version of the Rights of Way Management Plan 2015-2025 takes account of these representations. Overall, the plan's vision and aims are the same as the original Rights of Way Improvement Plan. 

The decision to adopt the Rights of Way Management Plan is required to provide County Council approval of the plan.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)        note the results of the consultation on the draft Rights of Way Management Plan;

(b)       approve the proposed changes to the consultation document;

(c)        adopt the Rights of Way Management Plan for the period January 2015 - December 2025; and

(d)       extend the lifespan of the current Rights of Way Improvement Plan to December 2014.

It is a statutory duty for the highway authority to prepare, publish & review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP). The RoWIP provides the strategy framework for public rights of way recording, management and development. Oxfordshire's first RoWIP was adopted on 21 February 2006 and ran until the end of 2011/12. On 22 March 2012 the Cabinet Member for Transport authorised the extension of the current RoWIP validity date to March 2014 and the development of its replacement. Following public consultation on the review, Cabinet had before them a report seeking approval to adopt the Rights of Way Management Plan. Cabinet also had before them an addenda containing Annex 3, on proposed changes to the aims and a summary of key changes to the Rights of Way Management Plan document and list of

representations made to the consultation draft.

Councillor Nimmo Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment, in moving the recommendations commented that the plan fitted in to the developing Local Transport Plan 4. For example by replacing stiles with gates.

The Chairman thanked all those involved in the Review of the Plan which had been an enormous piece of work. Cabinet.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)        note the results of the consultation on the draft Rights of Way Management Plan;

(b)        approve the proposed changes to the consultation document;

(c)        adopt the Rights of Way Management Plan for the period January 2015 - December 2025; and

(d)        extend the lifespan of the current Rights of Way Improvement Plan to December 2014.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/134

Contact: Peter Clark, County Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Tel: (01865) 323907

Report by County Solicitor & Monitoring Officer (CA18).

In April 2013, the Council adopted new governance arrangements which came into effect following the May 2013 elections.  The Council asked its Monitoring Officer to review the effectiveness of these decision-making arrangements a year after their coming into operation, along with the underlying Constitution. His recommendations will be considered by Full Council on 9 December. This report highlights the emerging issues. The Committee previously gave attention to this matter in September 2014 but wished to have a more full discussion at this meeting.

Cabinet is recommended to consider and endorse the direction of travel of the review.

In April 2013, the Council adopted new governance arrangements which came into effect following the May 2013 elections.  The Council asked its Monitoring Officer to review the effectiveness of these decision-making arrangements a year after their coming into operation, along with the underlying Constitution. Cabinet had before them a report that summarised the emerging issues from the Monitoring Officer’s review. Peter Clark also advised Cabinet of the comments from the Audit & Governance Committee and in particular their strong opposition to the loss of Member involvement in Home to School Transport Appeal Panels.

Following consideration Cabinet:

RESOLVED:           to endorse the direction of travel of the review, subject to the proposal relating to the Appeals & Tribunals Sub-Committee being amended to take account of the comments of Audit & Governance Committee by retaining a councillor on Panels dealing with Home to School Transport Appeals.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/096

Contact: Sue Corrigan, Strategic HR Manager Tel: (01865) 810280

Report by Chief Human Resources Officer (CA13).

The report gives an update on staffing numbers and related activity during the period 1 July 2014 to 30 September 2014.  It gives details of the agreed staffing numbers and establishment at 30 September 2014 in terms of Full Time Equivalents.  These are also shown by directorate in Appendix 1. In addition, the report provides information on vacancies and the cost of posts being covered by agency staff.  Appendix 2 shows a breakdown by service area of agency spend.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a) note the report;

(b)  confirm that the Staffing Report meets the Cabinet’s requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

Cabinet considered and approved the quarterly staffing report that provided details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

Councillor Christie whilst understanding the need for some agency staff asked that Annex 2 include details on the posts. Councillor Christie was advised that such information existed and officers would be happy to supply it to him outside of the report. He was given assurances that officers monitored the position on agency staff very closely.

During discussion Councillor Hudspeth commented that he was keen that agency staff were not used where full time staff were appropriate. Councillor Rose added that he would work with the officers to see what additional information could be provided.

RESOLVED:                     to:

(a) note the report; and

(b) confirm that the Staffing Report meets the Cabinet’s requirements in reporting and managing staffing numbers.

At their meeting on 3 November 2014, the Performance Scrutiny Committee considered the decision of the Cabinet Member for Environment made on 9 October 2014 following proper notice of a call in. The Committee agreed to refer the decision back to Cabinet for it to consider in the light of the following material concerns that the Committee had about the following aspects of the decision:

(a)      that neither the officer’s report nor the Cabinet Member’s decision appeared to be based on the Department of Transport Guidance into the assessment of pedestrian crossing sites; and

(b)      the Cabinet Member did not take due account of the impact of the changes on the wider local traffic network.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the complexity of the information they will be asked to consider and agree to defer consideration of the Scrutiny Committee Call to the December meeting.

At their meeting on 3 November 2014, the Performance Scrutiny Committee considered the decision of the Cabinet Member for Environment made on 9 October 2014 following proper notice of a call in. The Committee agreed to refer the decision back to Cabinet for it to consider in the light of the material concerns that the Committee had about some aspects of the decision.

Mr Cattermole, Taylor Wimpey, commented that in the absence of a substantive report they agreed to see a deferral.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the complexity of the information they will be asked to consider and agree to defer consideration of the Scrutiny Committee Call to the December meeting.

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/180

Contact: Hannah Farncombe, Safeguarding Manager Tel: (01865) 815273

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA14).

In April  2014 Cabinet asked officers to explore the possibility of a partnership with Hampshire County Council to run services that support schools in Oxfordshire to improve their learning outcomes. This report brings the outcome of that exploration back to Cabinet.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree that Oxfordshire County Council should formally withdraw from work to develop a partnership arrangement with Hampshire County Council in relation to school based services.

In April 2014 Cabinet asked officers to explore the possibility of a partnership with Hampshire County Council to run services that support schools in Oxfordshire to improve their learning outcomes. Cabinet had before them a report that set out the outcome of that exploration.

RESOLVED:           to agree that Oxfordshire County Council should formally withdraw from work to develop a partnership arrangement with Hampshire County Council in relation to school based services.

The Cabinet considered a list of items (CA) 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.