Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Rodney Rose.

Cabinet asked that their best wishes be passed to him.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2016 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2016 were approved agreed and signed as a correct record.

Councillor Nimmo Smith sought a clarification from Cabinet in relation to Minute 110/16 Proposed Amendments to Traffic and Access Restrictions – Queen Street, Oxford. The record of the discussion by Cabinet records that Cabinet “also highlighted the dangers to pedestrians posed by cyclists and indicated that future proposals should also include banning cyclists for the experimental period.” Procedurally this point was not included in the proposed and agreed resolution when it should have been. Cabinet agreed the following resolution to be read in conjunction with Minute 110/16 - Proposed Amendments to Traffic and Access Restrictions – Queen Street, Oxford:

RESOLVED:               To agree that the future Cabinet report on proposals for an experimental closure of Queen Street as agreed by Minute 110/16 should include consideration of banning cyclists for the experimental period.

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

“ How many faults with streetlights have been reported each month since the termination of the contract on street lighting; cumulatively how many faults with street remained outstanding at 31st December?”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

“There are approximately 66,000 streetlights, illuminated signs and bollards, subway lights etc in Oxfordshire. At the end of December there were 1,694 faults, which is just 2.5 per cent.  This is broadly what we would expect at this point in the calendar year as there are more faults reported in the late autumn and winter months than at other times of the year. Therefore 97.5 per cent of streetlights/illuminated signs etc in Oxfordshire are in full working order and our interim contractor is working hard on the list of current faults.

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

“Can the Cabinet member provide a date when a new contract dealing with street lighting will be signed?”

Councillor Nimmo Smith replied:

“Work on preparing a new contract is well underway and the procurement is programmed to take place to enable award at the start of September 2017.  However, it is worth pointing out that the council is not without a streetlighting contract,  last year the council appointed an interim contractor – Amey.

Amey have been working on emergency repairs since mid-June which is a much better situation than we envisaged back in the spring.  That is why we have a number of faults awaiting repair that is not dissimilar to what we’d expect in most normal years in mid-Winter.”

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

“Donnington Doorstep is an independent family centre in my division which until 2015/16 received an extremely helpful £60,000 a year from the County Council to part fund Doorstep’s drop-in stay-and-play work. It has not proved possible for Doorstep to replace all of the County Council funding in one go. Doorstep is therefore being forced to reduce its drop-in service to just one day a week from February 2017.

However the Doorstep board (of which I am treasurer) is confident that in time we will be able to obtain sufficient extra income from trusts and the local community. Will the Cabinet member ask the cross-party group of councillors to look again at whether it is possible for Donnington Doorstep to obtain some transition funding from the £1 million set aside by the County Council for the purpose of supporting stay-and-play and other activities in the now voluntary children’s centres?”

Councillor Tilley replied:

“I appreciate the position that Donnington Doorstep finds itself in and sympathise with the difficult times that the voluntary sector as a whole are experiencing.  You  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3/17

A petition was submitted by Beth Knighton Director of Donnington Doorstep in support of a request to be considered for Transition Funding.

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

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

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee

Item 7– Councillor Nick Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance

Councillor Richard Webber, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Item 8 – Rachael Scott-Hunter  who also submitted a petition in support of stopping the closure of day support centres

Ted Cooper resident of Witney

Maggie Swain, Chair of the October Club Management Committee

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, local councillor for Grove & Wantage

Councillor Janet Godden, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson on adult social care

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee

Item 9 – Councillor Janet Godden, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson on adult social care

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

Item 10 – Councillor Glynis Phillips,  Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

Item 11 – Jaqi Mason, Parish Councillor, Clifton Hampden & Burcot speaking on behalf of OXAGE

Councillor Charles Mathew, local councillor for Eynsham

Councillor Lynda Atkins, local councillor

Councillor Steve Curran, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor Godden, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson on adult social care spoke together on Agenda Items 8 and 9. Councillor Godden commended the consultation that she thought had been well run. She considered that the analysis good and the reports sensitively written. However with regard to daytime support Councillor Godden was concerned that the recommendations did not mitigate the problems for some users that they would be unable to access services or would be unable to afford services. The extra grant money referred to was welcome but may be inadequate. She felt that more work was need to look for innovative solutions and to improve the transport scheme. With regard to carers they provided a valuable service and the amounts of funding were small overall when compared to the pressures created and the impact of the proposals. Councillor Godden urged Cabinet to put vulnerable people first and to close the door on the savings.

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/087

Contact: Ian Dyson, Assistant Chief Finance Officer (Assurance) Tel 07393 001250

Report by Assistant Chief Finance Officer (Assurance) (CA6).

The report provides details of performance for quarter two 2016-17 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 set out in this report.

Cabinet considered a report providing details of performance for quarter two 2016-17. 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, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee highlighted a number of areas they had considered at the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting. There had been concern over the reported outcomes on a number of indicators including keeping children safe, the extra pressure on children’s services, the cost of the transport budget and indicators around children’s social care. She also highlighted the good performance in relation to delayed transfers of care. She commended the new approach to business management and monitoring that allowed Performance Scrutiny Committee to see both the broad picture and where necessary to undertake a deep dive to better understand an issue.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet member for Finance, commented on a number of areas including the importance of balancing important ongoing and where necessary reactive maintenance of the infrastructure with the major projects being undertaken. He also expressed concern at the increased activity around child social care and was concerned that too much pressure was being placed on social workers.

Responding to a question from Councillor Carter in relation to protecting vulnerable people Councillor Hards agreed that it was worth exploring the idea of cross party work to develop an approach that encouraged this to be seen more widely than just as a council issue.

RESOLVED:                        to note the performance set out in this report.

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/086

Contact: Katy Jurczyszyn, Strategic Finance Manager (Finance, Strategy & Monitoring) Tel: 07584 909518

Report by Chief Finance Officer (CA7).

This report is the final report to Cabinet in the series on the service & resource planning process for 2017/18 to 2020/21, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2017/18 and the medium term. It sets out the proposed 2017/18 budget, the draft 2017/18 – 2020/21 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and 2016/17 – 2020/21 Capital Programme. Information outstanding at the time of the Cabinet meeting will be reported to Council when it considers the budget on 14 February 2017.

The budget and draft 2017/18 – 2020/21 MTFP include the Cabinet’s budget proposals which take into consideration the latest information on the council’s financial position outlined in this report plus comments from the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting on 5 January 2017 and comments from the public consultation on the budget.  As final notification of some funding streams is awaited, some further changes may be made to the budget proposals ahead of Council on 14 February 2017.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to RECOMMEND Council to approve:
 

·         in respect of revenue:

(1)      a budget for 2017/18 and a medium term plan to 2020/21, based on the proposals set out in Section 4.2;

(2)      a council tax requirement (precept) for 2017/18;

(3)      a council tax for band D equivalent properties;

(4)      virement arrangements to operate within the approved budget;

·         in respect of treasury management:

(1)      the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18;

(2)      to continue to delegate the authority to withdraw or advance additional funds to/from external fund managers to the Treasury Management Strategy Team;

(3)      that any further changes required to the 2017/18 strategy be delegated to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance;

(4)      the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix A of Section 4.5;

(5)      Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology Statement as set out in Appendix B of Section 4.5;

(6)      The Specified Investment and Non Specified Investment instruments as set out in Appendix C and D of Section 4.5;

(7)      The Treasury Management Policy Statement as set out in Appendix E of Section 4.5;

·         In respect of capital:

(1)      Approve a Capital Programme for 2016/17 to 2020/21 as set out in Section 4.9 including:

(i)            the new capital proposals as set out in Section 4.9.1 (Appendix 3);

(ii)          the Highways Structural Maintenance Programme 2017/18 and 2018/19 as set out in Section 4.9.2;

(2)       Approve the Strategic Asset Management Plan at Section 4.9.3;

·           to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, following consultation with the Director of Financeand the Cabinet Member for Finance, to make appropriate changes to the proposed budget.

2.            The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve:

(1)      the Review of Charges as set out in Annex 1.

Cabinet had before them the final report in the series on the service & resource planning process for 2017/18 to 2020/21, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2017/18 and the medium term. It set out the proposed 2017/18 budget, the draft 2017/18 – 2020/21 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and 2016/17 – 2020/21 Capital Programme.

The budget and draft 2017/18 – 2020/21 MTFP included the Cabinet’s budget proposals which take into consideration the latest information on the council’s financial position outlined in the report plus comments from the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting on 5 January 2017 and comments from the public consultation on the budget.  As final notification of some funding streams is awaited, some further changes may be made to the budget proposals ahead of Council on 14 February 2017.

Councillor Webber, Liberal Democrat Group Leader highlighted paragraph 8 of the report that outlined the amount of provisional information the figures were based on. He commented that the delays from government created very great difficulties for officers and made it difficult for them to act as a responsible opposition. He felt that this was damaging to local democracy and asked that the Leader do what he could to ask government to address this in future. Having said this he commended the Council for managing austerity well.

Councillor Hards, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance commented on a number of specific areas: on revaluation of commercial property and business rates he would treat the figures with some caution as it was not clear how many would pay; Councillor Hards expressed interest in the saving on inflationary expectations and suggested that rather than it going straight to contingency the labour Group may like to see it spent elsewhere; he felt that in relation to the council tax rise that even though government had not yet produced the rules for the additional social care elements of it there would be no difficulty in justifying it to government when required; on the Schools Funding Formula he was at a loss to understand how so many of Oxfordshire’s schools could end up worse off; It was important to find the money for highways asset management.

Councillor Stratford in introducing the report and moving the recommendations referred to the list of known unknowns at paragraph 8 and referred to by both speakers. What could provide a greater problem was the unknown unknowns and he commended officers for their work in difficult circumstances. He emphasised that this was the second year of a 4 year plan that gave some stability. He referred to the new homes bonus and stressed that this was not new money. Likewise the additional money from the 3% increase in the Council tax was not new money in the MTP but by taking it earlier it would enable the Council to carry out some much needed initiatives.

Lorna Baxter, Director of Finance, detailed the suite of reports and drew attention to the addenda.

RESOLVED: to RECOMMEND Council to approve:

·         in respect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/17

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/104

Contact: Benedict Leigh, Strategic Commissioner – Adults Tel: 07554 115683

Report by Deputy Director for Joint Commissioning (CA8).

Cabinet are asked to consider the results of the public consultation on the proposed model and options for daytime support in Oxfordshire, and the recommended way forward. Cabinet are asked to recommend the County Council’s future funding of daytime support and approach to delivering this, for a final decision by Council on 14 February as part of the broader budget-setting process.

Daytime support helps many older people, people with dementia, people with learning disabilities and people with physical disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives, and is currently used by about 2000 people in Oxfordshire. It ranges from community lunch clubs to specialist centre-based support for people with complex needs.

A proposed model and options were put to public consultation, following the review of daytime support for people aged over 18 in Oxfordshire. This review started in March 2016, and focused on understanding the needs of vulnerable people for daytime support, specifically support to meet eligible care needs and support that prevents care needs escalating. Its purpose was to help the council to develop future options for daytime support to ensure it is fit for the future and sustainable over the longer term, in a challenging financial context.

The overall proposed model for daytime support is: support for people to live well in their local communities; open access, tailored support for more vulnerable people; and personal budgets for people with eligible needs. This paper provides the key messages from the public consultation and sets out recommendations for the way forward.

Subject to full Council making appropriate provision with the 2017/18 Budget and Medium Term Plan to 2020/21 Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)       consider the results of the consultation;

(b)      agree to adopt the proposals outlined in this document for community and voluntary support;

(c)       agree to adopt option A (the building based option) for delivery of the Community Support Service;

(d)      agree the charges for the Community Support Service and the method of charging as set out in paragraphs 82 and 83 above.

Cabinet considered a report that asked them to consider the results of the public consultation on the proposed model and options for daytime support in Oxfordshire, and the recommended way forward. Cabinet were asked to recommend the County Council’s future funding of daytime support and approach to delivering this, for a final decision by Council on 14 February as part of the broader budget-setting process.

Rachael Scott-Hunter spoke against the proposals and submitted a petition in support of stopping the closure of day support centres. She referred to her experience as a parent caring for a dependent adult daughter and the importance to her of Kidlington Day Centre which was a totally safe space and respected her needs. Changes will bring about anxiety, stress and challenging behaviours. Mrs Scott-Hunter referred to the intention behind direct payments to ensure greater control for users over how care support needs are met. They were to meet needs innovatively and creatively and should not be used to direct users to one provider. She queried the legal soundness of the recommendations and asked Cabinet to reconsider.

Ted Cooper resident of Witney, expressed the disquiet around users of his local centre in Witney. He stated that they had not been directly consulted and there were particular concerns around transport. He believed that some elderly people would not be able to manage the online registration process and that booking a seat a week in advance was not practicable. Councillor Heathcoat in response to a comment about the registration charge stated that there would not be a £100 charge.

Maggie Swain, Chair of the October Club Management Committee emphasised the value of the small local groups particularly for those with Alzheimer’s/dementia who would struggle with transport and responded better in a smaller less busy environment. She asked that Clubs such as hers be seen as a financial investment in helping people to remain at home.

Councillor Hannaby, local councillor for Grove & Wantage, expressed pleasure that Wantage was to retain its day centre. She commented that she had made the suggestion that Centres could amalgamate some time ago. Councillor Hannaby whilst sorry that the review was necessary in light of government funding cuts she recognised that people with eligible needs would have those needs met. Her concern was for those on personal budgets or self funders. She added that transport needed more work to clarify how it would work in practice. She was pleased that there would be additional funding during the transition period.

Councillor Janet Godden, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson on adult social care spoke together on Agenda Items 8 & 9 and this is recorded at Minute 4/17 above – Petitions and Public Address.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care spoke against the proposals commenting that the discussion had been around options for cuts . Having lived with austerity since 2010 the Council behaved as if reducing the budget was the only option. Having said that officers had worked hard and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/17

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/089

Contact: Benedict Leigh, Lead Commissioner (Adults) Tel: (01865) 323554

Report by Director for Adult Social Services (CA9).

In February 2016, the Council agreed savings against carers' services totalling £660,000.This included a suggestion that savings could be made by introducing charging for carers' services.

It was found following investigation that the introduction of charging for carers' services was not viable and would not produce the savings required. Proposals for releasing funding by redesigning carers' personal budgets were developed, and these proposals were the subject of a public consultation, alongside the refreshed and updated version of the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy.

The outcome of the consultation did not produce a single clear preferred option from those who responded. Therefore, a further alternative option for carers' personal budgets is proposed: a 'targeted' carers' personal budget of £300, jointly and equally funded by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and payable to all eligible carers who have high needs.

In addition, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is proposing to fund an enhanced information and advice offer for all carers via direct electronic referral by a GP and input from an extension to the existing Oxfordshire County Council contract for the Carers Oxfordshire service. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the revised carers' personal budget payment and to welcome the intention of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to fund an enhanced information and advice offer via direct GP referral.

In February 2016, the Council agreed savings against carers' services totalling £660,000.This included a suggestion that savings could be made by introducing charging for carers' services.

It was found following investigation that the introduction of charging for carers' services was not viable and would not produce the savings required. Proposals for releasing funding by redesigning carers' personal budgets were developed, and these proposals were the subject of a public consultation, alongside the refreshed and updated version of the Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy.

Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of the public consultation and seeking approval to the proposed way forward.

Councillor Janet Godden, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson on adult social care spoke together on Agenda Items 8 & 9 and this is recorded at Minute 4/17 above – Petitions and Public Address.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care commented that it was unacceptable to be looking at options for making cuts and highlighted paragraph 17 commenting that carers would not feel as valued. However she welcomed GP referral service and the decision not to introduce charges for carer services. She welcomed that the impact of the proposals would be monitored but suggested that it was a false economy to cut budgets as the support enabled people to stay out of care longer and if in hospital to get out more quickly.

Councillor Heathcoat, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced the report and noted that the savings against the carers’ service were previously agreed as part of the budget process. It had included the possibility of charges for carer services but she had been uncomfortable with this. The proposals were about targeting limited resources on those that most needed them. In moving the recommendations Councillor Heathcoat proposed an amendment to include reference to paragraph 24 confirming the share of costs with the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. On the suggestion of Councillor Carter, Councillor Heathcoat included also reference to paragraph 26.

During discussion Councillor Tilley referred to the numbers of young carers and the support provided to them. Councillor Heathcoat highlighted the work of adult social care and the Safeguarding Board who were keen to work closely with children’s services to ensure continuity of care.

RESOLVED:             to approve the revised carers' personal budget payment and to welcome the intention of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to fund an enhanced information and advice offer via direct GP referral in accordance with paragraphs 24 and 26 of the report.

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/084

Contact: Natalia Lachkou, Commissioning Manager Tel: 07881 500344

Report by Director for Adult Social Services (CA9).

The County Council together with the five city/district councils and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has developed under the Health Improvement Board umbrella a new commissioning plan for housing related support services in light of the County Council’s £1.5m budget reduction by 2019/20.

The partners have reached a unanimous agreement to create a new joint governance structure to procure and manage services and accommodation for single homeless people. The project will be delivered over a three year period starting from 1 April 2017. This requires all partners to enter into a new partnering agreement. The Cabinet is required to decide whether the County Council should enter into this new partnering agreement.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree to contribute to a pooled budget for housing related support between the County Council, the District and City Councils and Clinical Commissioning Group, under the terms of the proposed partnering agreement, the final version of which would be signed in due course by the relevant senior officer under the delegated decision making authority scheme.

The County Council together with the five city/district councils and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has developed under the Health Improvement Board umbrella a new commissioning plan for housing related support services in light of the County Council’s £1.5m budget reduction by 2019/20.

Cabinet had before them a report seeking approval to enter into this new partnering agreement.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care welcomed the spirit of co-operation evidenced by the report but queried why District Councils were not increasing their funding year on year.

Councillor Hudspeth, Leader of the Council, confirmed that housing and homelessness was a City /District Council function and referred to the historic basis of County Council funding through the supporting people funding from Government. This funding had been cut by a previous government and the County Council had subsidised services over a number of years. Cabinet welcomed the proposals to work together.

Councillor Heathcoat, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, in moving the recommendations, thanked Natalia Lachkou for her work in looking after the services over a number of years. The funding agreement was the final piece in the jigsaw.

RESOLVED:             to agree to contribute to a pooled budget for housing related support between the County Council, the District and City Councils and Clinical Commissioning Group, under the terms of the proposed partnering agreement; the final version of which would be signed in due course by the relevant senior officer under the delegated decision making authority scheme.

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/070

Contact: Peter Day, Minerals & Waste Policy Team Leader Tel: (01865) 815544

Report by Acting Director for Environment & Economy (CA11).

The County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a new Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, to provide an effective planning strategy and policies for the supply of minerals and management of waste in the county, consistent with environmental, social and economic needs. The Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy (the Plan) was approved by the County Council in March 2015 and submitted for independent examination by a planning inspector in December 2015. Following a hearing held in September 2016, the Inspector has issued an Interim Report.

The Interim Report provides the Inspector’s conclusions on the amounts of provision that need to be made for mineral working and waste management over the Plan period to 2031. He has concluded that the provision for mineral working should be as the Council proposed in the submitted Plan, based on the Local Aggregate Assessment 2014. The Interim Report also covers certain legal and procedural matters, including the need for further Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sustainability Appraisal (SEA/SA) work to be undertaken and states that modifications to the Plan will need to be proposed.

The further SEA/SA work required has been undertaken, including: consideration of alternatives for the minerals and waste strategies to establish the ‘reasonable’ alternatives that should be assessed; SEA/SA of the ‘reasonable’ alternatives; and SEA/SA of proposed modifications. A comprehensive new SEA/SA report has been prepared. Proposed modifications to the Plan have been drafted in response to the Inspector's Interim Report and in the light of representatons made on the Plan and discussion at the examination hearing and the further SA/SEA of reasonable alternatives. The proposed modifications and the SEA/SA report will need to be published for public consultation and the Inspector will then consider any representations that are made before he finalises his report of the examination of the Plan.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       agree the main modifications to the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy in Annexes 8, 8a and 8b for publication for public consultation; and

(b)      authorise the Strategic Director Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to finalise the additional modifications to the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy in Annex 8 for publication for public comment; and

(c)       authorise the Strategic Director Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to finalise the Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sustainability Appraisal report on the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy, to include the work contained in Annexes 2 – 7, for publication for public consultation; and

(d)      authorise the Strategic Director Communities to make a request to the Inspector who is carrying out the examination of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy to recommend modifications to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10/17

The County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a new Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, to provide an effective planning strategy and policies for the supply of minerals and management of waste in the county, consistent with environmental, social and economic needs. The Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 – Core Strategy (the Plan) was approved by the County Council in March 2015 and submitted for independent examination by a planning inspector in December 2015. Following a hearing held in September 2016, the Inspector has issued an Interim Report.

The further work required by the Interim Report has been undertaken, including: consideration of alternatives for the minerals and waste strategies. Proposed modifications to the Plan have been drafted in response to the Inspector's Interim Report and in the light of representations made on the Plan and discussion at the examination hearing and the further SA/SEA of reasonable alternatives. Cabinet considered a report seeking approval for the proposed modifications and the SEA/SA to be published for public consultation prior to the Inspector considering any representations that are made before he finalises his report of the examination of the Plan.

Jaqi Mason, Parish Councillor, Clifton Hampden & Burcot speaking on behalf of OXAGE welcomed the public consultation but outlined 3 concerns: the wording of the recommendation negates the public consultation and should be amended to make it clear that this is a proposed plan; that little weight can be given to the emerging plan based on the extent to which there are unresolved objections; and concerns that Policy M5 does not comply with the National Policy Framework. Ms Mason added that she still did not agree with the additional amount of minerals and that figures were based on old data.

Councillor Charles Mathew, local councillor for Eynsham, expressed concern at the proposals believing that only token notice had been paid to the consultations over the last 4 years. He commented that 90% of councils used a 10 year average for the Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA) and argued that there was no basis for the approach used by the County Council. He referred to information in Part 1, Appendix 3 and in table 5b that he asserted were incorrect. He suggested improvements that could be made including updating data in the Plan and enforcing conditions.

Councillor Lynda Atkins, local councillor for Wallingford, spoke against the proposals in relation to Policy M3 and the LAA suggesting that evidence was that there was a reverse correlation between growth and use of aggregate and that therefore the figures were based on a false assumption.  Councillor Atkins referred to the 40% of aggregate being exported outside the County and stated that the sustainability of that had not been considered. She referred to areas of growth that were not included in the Plan that indicated significant growth in the North. Councillor Hudspeth in response commented that the figure had been reduced over time and that in terms of including development sites the position was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10/17

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/088

Contact: Sue Whitehead, Principal Committee Officer Tel: 07393 001213

Lead Officer: Chief Legal Officer & Monitoring Officer (CA12).

To report on a quarterly basis any executive decisions taken under the specific powers and functions delegated under the terms of Part 7.2 (Scheme of Delegation to Officers) of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 6.3(c)(i).  It is not for scrutiny call in.

Cabinet noted the following executive decisions taken under the specific powers and functions delegated under the terms of Part 7.2 (Scheme of Delegation to Officers) of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 6.3(c)(i).

It is not for scrutiny call in.

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Sue Whitehead, Committee Services Manager Tel: 07393 001213

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 CA13.  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 as set out in the report and schedule of addenda.

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