Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Heathcoat and Rose.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2016 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2016 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

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

“How many fixed penalties were issued by:

a] community

b] voluntary

c] academies in:

(i) the primary and (ii) the secondary and (iii) the special school sectors in Oxfordshire since September 2015 and for comparison purposes in the 2014-15 school year?

How many prosecutions with a view to court proceedings have the county started during the same two periods?”

The response from Councillor Tilley is set out in the Annex to the minutes.

Supplementary: Councillor Howson commented that Oxfordshire’s figures were above the national average and he asked what steps were being taken to ensure that the appropriate authorities helped to reduce the figures. Councillor Tilley replied that she would be raising it with the Regional Schools Commissioner.

Councillor Phillips had given notice of the following question to Councillor Nimmo Smith:

“Would the Cabinet Member for Environment give more detail about the commitment made by the Leader in Council on 16 February (as part of his budget statement) on the provision of a signalised crossing at the A40 junction at the bottom of Collinwood Road in Risinghurst? For example is the intention to include this crossing in the LTP4 Update given that this initiative aligns with the overarching LTP4 objectives and the A40 Long Term strategy?”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

“At the February council meeting Cllr Hudspeth agreed to ask officers to investigate this crossing as part of the wider A40 strategy.

We are in the process of updating the Local Transport Plan (including the Oxford Transport Strategy - OTS) and have now included the following specific reference to this proposal in the latest draft update to the OTS:

“A crossing of the A40 east of Headington roundabout (linking Barton and Risinghurst) is also proposed, linked to future capacity improvements and bus priority measures at Headington roundabout and on the A40”.

The OTS does not identify specific timescales or costs for relatively small schemes such as this, and at this stage no funding has been identified to take this proposal forward.  However, once the proposal is part of council policy this will help to secure funding for it in future”

Supplementary: In response to a further question Councillor Nimmo Smith explained that the Local Transport Plan 4 was reviewed annually and would be updated at that time.

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

“The proposed scheme to make use of the County’s fleet vehicles at times they are not currently in use is very welcome indeed.  Can you give the public, who are very worried indeed at the imminent loss of their bus services, a timetable for the introduction of the new scheme, assuming that the pilot scheme is successful?”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

“We are still working up the detail of how the pilot will work, but subject to Cabinet approval on 24 May, we are looking to announce a launch date in June. 

We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40/16

Ms Jan Huish submitted a petition against the closure of children’s centres.

The Leader had agreed the following requests to address the meeting:

Item 6 - Charlie Payne, local resident

Councillor Fooks, local councillor for Wolvercote & Summertown

Councillor Purse, local councillor for Wheatley

Councillor  Williams, local councillor for Iffley Fields & St Mary’s

Councillor Gill Sanders as Shadow Cabinet member for CEF 

Councillor  Brighouse as Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee

Item 7 - Hugh Jaeger, Chair of Bus Users Oxford

Councillor Fooks, local councillor for Wolvercote & Summertown

Councillor Mathew, local councillor for Eynsham

Councillor Curran as Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment

Item 8 - Hugh Jaeger, Chair of Bus Users Oxford

Councillor Fooks, local councillor for Wolvercote & Summertown

Councillor Purse, local councillor for Wheatley

Councillor Mathew, local councillor for Eynsham

Councillor Curran as Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment (5 mins)

Item 10 - Councillor Glynis Phillips as Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/029

Contact: Lucy Butler, Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care Tel: (01865) 815165

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA6).

The County Council budget for 2016/17 made a number of significant financial changes to the Children, Education and Families Directorate. Included in this was the decision to amend the original proposal to remove £2 million from the Early Intervention/Children’s Centres budget lines (known as CEF 12).  How the retained £2 million is to be targeted requires further clarity.

This report sets out proposals to spend the £2 million in direct response to issues raised by the public consultation, namely concerns around the loss of preventative support and the accessibility of the new service. 

The retained money will increase the early help and preventative work within the new service, and increase the number of locations from which outreach is delivered.  It is proposed to allocate it across three areas of the new service as follows:

a.         £1 million into the Locality and Community Support Service to increase staffing,  including new community co-ordinator posts which will work closely with outreach centres and work with local community groups to support the development of universal provision;

b.         £900,000 into the Family Support Service to increase staffing in early help teams; these extra workers can provide direct work to children and families from the outreach centres;

c.         £100,000 for building costs towards the development of two new 'shared locality bases'

If these proposals are agreed it will spread the geographical reach of the service from 8 to 18 centres. 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED:

(a)  to develop eight outreach centres and two shared locality bases, in addition to eight Children and Family Centres;

(b)to agree that the Locality and Community Support Service is expanded to enhance its preventative elements and enable it to support universal provision within the eight outreach centres, and other centres that remain open through community support;

(c)  to agree that the Family Support Service is enhanced, enabling the delivery of casework and evidence based group programmes from the eight outreach centres; and

(d)to ask officers to commence a staff consultation on the staffing structure for the new Service.

The County Council budget for 2016/17 made a number of significant financial changes to the Children, Education and Families Directorate. Included in this was the decision to amend the original proposal to remove £2 million from the Early Intervention/Children’s Centres budget lines (known as CEF 12).  How the retained £2 million is to be targeted requires further clarity.

Cabinet had before them a report that set out proposals to spend the £2 million in direct response to issues raised by the public consultation, namely concerns around the loss of preventative support and the accessibility of the new service. 

The retained money will increase the early help and preventative work within the new service, and increase the number of locations from which outreach is delivered.  The report proposed to allocate it across three areas of the new service.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)  to develop eight outreach centres and two shared locality bases, in addition to eight Children and Family Centres;

(b)  to agree that the Locality and Community Support Service is expanded to enhance its preventative elements and enable it to support universal provision within the eight outreach centres, and other centres that remain open through community support;

(c)  to agree that the Family Support Service is enhanced, enabling the delivery of casework and evidence based group programmes from the eight outreach centres; and

(d)  to ask officers to commence a staff consultation on the staffing structure for the new Service.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/114

Contact: Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager – West and Cherwell Tel (01865) 816783

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA7).

This paper gives a progress update on the A40 long term strategy following the completion of public consultation in Autumn 2016. This report outlines the consultation responses received as well as other considerations in order to facilitate a wider discussion on future ambitions for tackling the congestion issues on the A40.  A recommended approach for the direction for a long-term strategy for the A40 is put forward for debate and agreement.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)  note the A40 Long Term Strategy Consultation Results

(b)consider the officer recommendation for the A40 Long Term Strategy comprising:

         I.    Road width expansion to a dual-carriageway on the section of the A40 between Witney and a park and ride at Eynsham,

        II.    A further bus lane (in addition to the eastbound bus lane currently under development) so as to provide bus priority in both directions along the A40 between a park and ride at Eynsham and the Duke’s Cut canal bridge west of Wolvercote roundabout,

       III.    Provision of high quality cycleways along the length of the route.

(c)  agree the recommended strategy for further feasibility assessment; and

(d)include this recommended strategy for the A40 within LTP4 Update, which is due to go to Cabinet for approval in June 2016.

Cabinet considered a progress update on the A40 long term strategy following the completion of public consultation in Autumn 2016. The report outlined the consultation responses received as well as other considerations in order to facilitate a wider discussion on future ambitions for tackling the congestion issues on the A40. The report recommended an approach for the direction for a long-term strategy for the A40.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)     note the A40 Long Term Strategy Consultation Results

(b)     consider the officer recommendation for the A40 Long Term Strategy comprising:

            I.            Road width expansion to a dual-carriageway on the section of the A40 between Witney and a park and ride at Eynsham,

          II.            A further bus lane (in addition to the eastbound bus lane currently under development) so as to provide bus priority in both directions along the A40 between a park and ride at Eynsham and the Duke’s Cut canal bridge west of Wolvercote roundabout,

         III.            Provision of high quality cycleways along the length of the route.

(c)      agree the recommended strategy for further feasibility assessment; and

(d)     include this recommended strategy for the A40 within LTP4 Update, which is due to go to Cabinet for approval in June 2016.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/036

Contact: Alexandra Bailey, Service Manager for Business Development & Fleet Management Tel: 07768 027257

Report by Director of Environment & Economy (CA8).

On 10 November 2015, Cabinet considered the results of the public consultation on the future of Subsidised Bus Services and agreed to the full withdrawal of subsidised bus subsidies, subject to full council’s approval, which was given in February 2016.

This paper provides an update on the steps that have been taken to minimise the impact of the withdrawal and asks permission to launch an innovative pilot using the council’s fleet during downtime to help those without access to alternative transport. 

Cabinet are RECOMMENDED to:

(a)          approve the launch of the pilot; and

(b)         note the results of the independent report on usage data, and recommend if any further action required.

On 10 November 2015, Cabinet considered the results of the public consultation on the future of Subsidised Bus Services and agreed to the full withdrawal of subsidised bus subsidies, subject to full council’s approval, which was given in February 2016.

Cabinet had before them a report providing an update on the steps that have been taken to minimise the impact of the withdrawal and asks permission to launch an innovative pilot using the council’s fleet during downtime to help those without access to alternative transport. 

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)          approve the launch of the pilot; and

(b)          note the results of the independent report on usage data, and recommend if any further action required.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/038

Contact: Owen Jenkins, Service Manager for Highways, Commercial & Transport Tel: (01865) 323304

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA9).

This report presents proposals for a schedule of fees for the supply of traffic accident data.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to recommend to Council to approve the use of the proposed fees as set out in Annex 1.

Cabinet considered a report setting out proposals for a schedule of fees for the supply of traffic accident data.

RESOLVED:                        to recommend to Council to approve the use of the proposed fees as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/037

Contact: Benedict Leigh, Strategic Commissioner – Adults Tel: (01865) 323577

Report by Director for Adult Social Services (CA10).

The purpose of this report is to seek Cabinet approval for a continuation of and variations to the legal agreement under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 that governs the existing formal joint working arrangements and pooled budgets between Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxfordshire County Council from April 2016 onwards.

This is an annual process that updates the agreement between Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxfordshire County Council in respect of the pooled budgets. This includes agreeing the respective contributions of both parties, and the governance arrangements by which the pooled budgets are managed.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)          approve the proposed pooled budget arrangements with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, including a revised Section 75 Agreement for All Client Groups (as set out in Annex 1)  to reflect this, subject to the inclusion of any necessary changes in the text as agreed by the Director of Adult Social Services after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care;

(b)         approve the contributions and risk share arrangements as set out in paragraphs 24-31;

(c)          approve the proposal to move to a single joint management group in adults, replacing the existing four separate groups; and

(d)         approve an extension of the Section 75 Agreement for three years until 31^st March 2019.

Cabinet considered a  report seeking approval for a continuation of and variations to the legal agreement under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 that governs the existing formal joint working arrangements and pooled budgets between Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxfordshire County Council from April 2016 onwards.

This is an annual process that updates the agreement between Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxfordshire County Council in respect of the pooled budgets. This includes agreeing the respective contributions of both parties, and the governance arrangements by which the pooled budgets are managed.

Recommendations agreed together with the following additional recommendation at (e).

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)          approve the proposed pooled budget arrangements with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, including a revised Section 75 Agreement for All Client Groups (as set out in Annex 1)  to reflect this, subject to the inclusion of any necessary changes in the text as agreed by the Director of Adult Social Services after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care;

(b)          approve the contributions and risk share arrangements as set out in paragraphs 24-31;

(c)          approve the proposal to move to a single joint management group in adults, replacing the existing four separate groups;

(d)          approve an extension of the Section 75 Agreement for three years until 31^st March 2019; and

(e)          that with regard to meetings of the single joint management group being held in public it was agreed that discussion be held at the next joint meeting with the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group with a further report to Cabinet.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/122

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

Report by Chief Human Resources Officer (CA11).

The report provides an update on staffing numbers and related activity for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on staffing numbers and related activity for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2016.

RESOLVED:             to note the report.

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.