Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nick Carter

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2015 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2015 were approved and signed subject to the following correction:

Minute 17/15 – Delete the last two sentences of the second paragraph and replace with the following:

Councillor Heathcoat explained for the benefit of all that Mr Hugh-Jones had had a meeting with Ben Threadgold explaining all the points he had raised again today. Mr Threadgold was in the audience and agreed to meet Mr Hugh-Jones yet again.

Responding to a question and comments from Councillor Brighouse about the need for a protocol to ensure that questions asked at Cabinet were as far as possible answered within Cabinet so that they were recorded in the minutes and open to public scrutiny, Peter Clark, County Solicitor and Monitoring Officer undertook to take the request forward as part of the next constitutional review.

Councillor Jean Fooks had given notice of the following question to Councillor David Nimmo Smith

“Money for Cycling in the city

It is of course very welcome that the Government has allocated some funds to the County Council to improve Cycling in Oxford. When this was originally announced, the Cabinet member was quoted as saying that it would be directed towards providing a comprehensive cycling network across the city. It now seems as if it is going to a major project or two – not to supporting the development of a joined-up network across the city after all. Can the Cabinet member confirm that it remains his ambition to support the development of a proper network, with no gaps as at present and safe junctions throughout, to encourage more people to feel it is safe to cycle in Oxford?

Further, can he ask officers to investigate how Oxfordshire children could benefit very much more than at present from Bikeability training  grants from the Dft? It is very disappointing to see that while Cambridgeshire has been awarded £204,160 for 2015/16, Oxfordshire has only been awarded £8,800.”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

The Draft Oxford Transport Strategy demonstrates a commitment to citywide cycling improvements and proposes a network of cycle super routes, premium routes and connector routes linking all parts of the city.  The recent projects for which we have secured funding (including Access to Headington, The Plain, and the Riverside routes to the city centre) will form an important part of this network, working towards our aim of a joined up cycling network across the city.  We are also developing proposals for smaller schemes to fill in missing gaps in on-road cycle provision and provide new quiet connector routes at relatively low cost.  This work is due to be completed in the spring and could form part of future funding bids.

The main reason for Oxfordshire's relatively low Bikeability funding award is that we have a different, and very successful, model for providing cycle training in schools, using an established network of volunteers trained by qualified staff.  This is managed as part of the Council's Fire & Public Safety work.  This programme is topped up by Bikeability training in some areas where the Oxfordshire model is not able to provide what we need.

Supplementary: Councillor Fooks asked when the consultation would takeplace and the procedure to be followed. She also asked why Bikeability was not available to Cherwell School. In response Councillor Nimmo Smith explained that he could not give an exact timetable now but would advise her when he had that information. He would investigate the reason why Bikeability was not available to Cherwell School and respond to Councillor Fooks directly.

Councillor John Tanner had given notice of the following question to Councillor Melinda Tilley

‘The County Council claims that “almost 91 per cent (90.98) of Oxfordshire children due to start secondary school this year have been allocated a place at their first-preference school”. Would you tell me how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23/15

The following requests to speak had been agreed

Item 3 – Councillor Brighouse (Question)

Item 6– Councillor Price

Item 7– Councillor Price

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/156

Contact: Benedict Leigh, Strategic Commissioner, Adults Tel: (01865) 323548

Report by Director of Adult Social Services and Chief Executive of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CA6).

Oxfordshire County Council is the lead commissioner of learning disability health and social care services, through a county council and clinical commissioning group pooled budget.

The current Learning Disability Strategy is due for a refresh and a new strategy and commissioning intentions have been developed with people with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals before going to a broader consultation, which finished on 9 February 2015. As a result of the consultation we have made changes to some of the commissioning intentions in the draft strategy.

The report covers our commissioning plans for delivering services to people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, including changes made as a result of the consultation.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the results of the public consultation on Oxfordshire’s joint Learning Disability Strategy 2015 – 2018 and approve the way forward as set out in this paper.

Oxfordshire County Council is the lead commissioner of learning disability health and social care services, through a county council and clinical commissioning group pooled budget.

The current Learning Disability Strategy is due for a refresh and a new strategy and commissioning intentions have been developed with people with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals before going to a broader consultation, which finished on 9 February 2015.

Cabinet considered a report that covered commissioning plans for delivering services to people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, including changes made as a result of the consultation.

Councillor Laura Price, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, commented that there was good and bad in the report but that generally it was a good response to a good well run consultation and the wellbeing and employment service had merit. However she had a major concern over the mainstreaming of health provision where there was a risk due to the lack of detail and the reliance on other major aspects of policy for success. In particular there was not enough detail about reasonable adjustment, including the size, scope and cost and how long it would be funded for. There were links to GP waiting times in terms of assumptions of how complex needs could be met and aspects connected with the governance of contracts and the management of pooled budgets. She concluded that this was a big piece of work and it was important not to rush it but to work for the long term.

Councillor Heathcoat, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care replied that throughout the development of the new strategy the aim had been to ensure that all were well informed. That was why the consultation had been so broad and so long with the use of workshops. She was aware that there were concerns but overall it was her view that the work is exciting, allowing for greater independence.

In introducing the contents of the report Councillor Heathcoat advised of the following correction:

Reference to paragraph 24 in paragraph 24 amended to refer to paragraph 23.

Cabinet Members commented that it was a comprehensive report following a lengthy consultation. It was acknowledged that any change in service would create some anxiety and time would be needed for everything to bed in. The County Wide Domestic Service was welcomed. Kate Terroni added that they would continue to focus on communication to alleviate the anxieties expressed.

RESOLVED:           having considered the results of the public consultation on Oxfordshire’s joint Learning Disability Strategy 2015 – 2018 to approve the way forward as set out in the paper.

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/202

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

Report by Director of Adult Social Services (CA7).

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 is 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 and in particular  to agree the Target Banding Rates to be applied for 2015-16.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED that in view of the above:

for 2015/16 to revise our Target Banding Rates from April 2015 and

(a)            Increase the Target Banding rate for the Residential-Extensive Specialist Category to £473 per week for new placements.

(b)            Increase all existing weekly Residential payment rates that are currently paid below £473 per week to £473 per week

(c)            Increase  the Nursing-Extensive Target Banding Rate to £583 per week

(d)            Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive that are currently below £583 per week to £583 per week

(e)            Increase  the Nursing-Specialist Target Banding Rate to £655 per week

(f)             Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive and Substantial rates that are currently below £655 per week to £655 per week

(g)            Increase the above rates to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing Care once this is announced later in April 2015.

(h)            Increase all other existing Care Home placements to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing care once this is announced later in April 2015

(i)              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.

(j)              The above to apply from April 2015 and for care home placements in Oxfordshire.

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 is committed to work alongside providers to ensure that services are of the highest quality.

Cabinet had before them a report that described the process the Council has undertaken to review the amount it pays for care homes and in particular to agree the Target Banding Rates to be applied for 2015-16.

Councillor Price, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care noted that there was a slight increase in the number of care homes engaged but that she felt that it was still far away from the level of transparency needed. Councillor Heathcoat replied that every care provider had had the opportunity to respond and there had been a providers’ day plus other meetings that meant that the transparency was there.

Responding to a question from Councillor Hibbert Biles, Councillor Price stated that she was not saying that the Council was not trying to get responses but that there needed to be new ways of doing it to challenge the complacency of the market. She added that measures such as signing up to the Ethical Care Charter could have a cumulative effect.

In introducing the contents of the report Councillor Heathcoat thanked Oxfordshire Carehomes Association and Mr Taylor, proprietor for Banbury Heights and Julie Richardson Nursing Homes for their recent representations that had been seen by Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED:           that in view of the above:

for 2015/16 to revise our Target Banding Rates from April 2015 and

(a)            Increase the Target Banding rate for the Residential-Extensive Specialist Category to £473 per week for new placements.

(b)            Increase all existing weekly Residential payment rates that are currently paid below £473 per week to £473 per week

(c)            Increase the Nursing-Extensive Target Banding Rate to £583 per week

(d)            Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive that are currently below £583 per week to £583 per week

(e)            Increase the Nursing-Specialist Target Banding Rate to £655 per week

(f)              Increase all existing weekly Nursing Extensive and Substantial rates that are currently below £655 per week to £655 per week

(g)            Increase the above rates to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing Care once this is announced later in April 2015.

(h)            Increase all other existing Care Home placements to reflect the increase in Funded Nursing care once this is announced later in April 2015

(i)              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.

(j)              The above to apply from April 2015 and for care home placements in Oxfordshire.

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 CA8. 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.

In the event that any Member or Officer wishes to discuss the information set out in the Annex to Item 10, the Cabinet will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of that Annex by passing a resolution in relation to that item in the following terms:

"that the public be excluded during the consideration of the Annexes since it is likely that if they were present during that discussion there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below the item in the Agenda".

NOTE: The report does not contain exempt information and is available to the public. The exempt information is contained in the confidential annex.

THE ANNEX TO THE ITEM NAMED HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ BY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THEM.

THIS IS FOR REASONS OF COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITY.

THIS ALSO MEANS THAT THE CONTENTS SHOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED WITH OTHERS AND NO COPIES SHOULD BE MADE.

Cabinet agreed to hold discussion of the next item in public, whilst confirming that the annex contained exempt information and should not be made public.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/011

Contact: Adrian Rowlands, Service Manager – Property & Procurement Tel: (01865) 323678

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA10).

The information contained in the annex is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category:

3.       Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that where a tender or bidding process is in progressdisclosure would distort the proper process of open competition and would prejudice the position of the authority in the process of the transaction and the Council’s standing generally in relation to such transactions in future, to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority

Cherwell District Council is developing a new local plan to guide the development of the district up to 2031 and significant housing growth is planned for Bicester.  This plan includes proposals for North West Bicester (Eco Town) for at least 5000 homes in total (1793 of these by 2031) along with new primary schools and a Secondary school.

Outline Planning consent has been gained for the first phase (exemplar) of this overall development (housing and schools etc.) by the developer; associated with which is a S106 agreement securing land and contributions towards various infrastructure, including the proposed primary school.

The Scheme has been submitted for detailed planning consent in November 2014 following approval of the Outline Business Case that was granted in October 2014. The scheme is currently being developed to detailed design to be completed in order to enable construction to start in June 2015, with completion in time to enable pupils to begin school in September 2016.

This report is being submitted for consideration now by the Cabinet in anticipation of an expeditious Final Business Case review and subsequent governance approvals in the first financial quarter 2015, to facilitate mobilisation phases on receipt of the Land transfer agreement expected in May 2015.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            endorse the progress to date; and

(b)            delegate to the Chief Finance Officer and Director for Environment & Economy in consultation with the Leader the authority to approve the Stage 2 Full Business Case and the award of the construction contract.

Cherwell District Council is developing a new local plan to guide the development of the district up to 2031 and significant housing growth is planned for Bicester. This plan includes proposals for North West Bicester (Eco Town) for at least 5000 homes in total (1793 of these by 2031) along with new primary schools and a Secondary school.

Outline Planning consent has been gained for the first phase (exemplar) of this overall development (housing and schools etc.) by the developer; associated with which is a S106 agreement securing land and contributions towards various infrastructure, including the proposed primary school.

The Scheme has been submitted for detailed planning consent in November 2014 following approval of the Outline Business Case that was granted in October 2014. The scheme is currently being developed to detailed design to be completed in order to enable construction to start in June 2015, with completion in time to enable pupils to begin school in September 2016.

Cabinet considered a report that was submitted for consideration in anticipation of an expeditious Final Business Case review and subsequent governance approvals in the first financial quarter 2015, to facilitate mobilisation phases on receipt of the Land transfer agreement expected in May 2015.

During discussion Cabinet welcomed the proposals ahead of the bulk of the housing being built. It was hoped that the building standard would reflect the standards expected of an Eco Town.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            endorse the progress to date; and

(b)            delegate to the Chief Finance Officer and Director for Environment & Economy in consultation with the Leader the authority to approve the Stage 2 Full Business Case and the award of the construction contract.