Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were submitted by Councillor Yvonne Constance.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on  18 July 2017 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2017 were approved and signed subject to the correction of the word “underspend” in the first sentence of the third paragraph of the preamble to minute 52/17 to read “overspend”.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles:

‘Eighteen months ago, St Gregory the Great School was placed in financial special measures by the ESFA; recently it received a challenging Ofsted report about aspects of the work of the school; there have also been concerns about both attendance and exclusions.

What steps have the authority, the Regional Schools Commissioner and the diocese taken to ensure the children forced to attend the school because of a shortage of secondary school places in the city will receive a high quality education that ensures they can achieve their potential?’

Councillor Hinnert-Biles replied:

"As Cllr Howson knows, due to our very effective pupil place planning processes, we don't have a shortage of secondary school places in Oxford City, or anywhere else in the county for that matter. It is, however, the case that there aren't enough spare places in other schools to accommodate every pupil currently attending St. Gregory the Great.

I and Lucy Butler, Director of Children's Services, have met with the head teacher and a representative of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Our safeguarding team has put a lot of effort into helping the school's leadership address a number of pressing safeguarding issues - a return visit has been arranged for October to make sure that improvements are fully embedded.

As Cllr Howson is aware, the Regional Schools Commissioner and the diocese have responsibilities given St Gregory the Great School is an Academy”

Councillor Phillips had given notice of the following question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles:

‘The Royal College of Nursing is asking the government to provide funds for local authorities to fully fund school nursing services. Can you provide an update of the current staffing position of school nurses in Oxfordshire and the progress being made for primary schools to have access to school nurses?’

Councillor Hibbert-Biles replied:

“Oxfordshire County Council supports the Royal College of Nursing in their call to Government to provide resources to local authorities for school health nursing for all children.

We are aware that other local authorities have reduced their school health nurse provision in the last few years however the Council has prioritised the public health of younger people by increasing public health nursing support in schools and colleges of further education.

Oxfordshire’s School Health Nurse service provides a team of school nurses for primary schools and has school health nurses based in secondary schools and nurse’s based in colleges of further education. 

In line with other front line services there are difficulties with recruiting skilled professionals to work in Oxfordshire however there are currently only 3 vacancies in the service which are all being advertised to fill the posts.”

Supplementary: Responding to a further question Councillor Hibbert-Biles stated that it was not possible for there to be a school health nurse in every primary school and undertook to provide information to all councillors on the numbers of visits by school health nurses to schools.

Councillor Phillips had given notice of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64/17

The Chairman had agreed the following requests to address Cabinet had been agreed by the Chairman:

Item 6 – Transition Fund for Open Access Children’s Centres –

Mr Aquib Hafeez

Mr Misbah Hafeez

Councillor Linda Smith, Oxford City Council

Jane Gallagher

Mr Chris Sewell

Mr Alexander Massey Member of the local Stakeholder Steering Group for the bid.

Dr Hilary Walker

Rev Elizabeth Allison-Glenny 

Mr Terry Tran-Nguyen

Nick Lunch

Ms Lesley Williams

Ms Candida March - Member of Stakeholder Steering Group for Aspire's bid for Florence Park Children's Centre

Mr Paul Roberts, Aspire

Councillor Jamila Begum Azad, local councillor for St Clements & Cowley Marsh

Councillor John Sanders, local councillor for Cowley

Councillor Helen Evans, local councillor for Iffley Fields and St Mary’s

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader

Item 7 – Service & Resource Planning Report 2018/19 - Councillor Helen Evans, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance

Item 8 -  Submission of Expression of Interest to the Housing Infrastructure Fund            -

Councillor Jane Murphy, Deputy Leader, SODC

Councillor Neville Harris, local councillor for Didcot Ladygrove

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader

Item 9 – Staffing Report      Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader

Cabinet Member: Local Communities

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/093

Contact: Sarah Jelley, Senior Policy and Performance Officer Tel: 07554 103437

Report by Assistance Chief Executive (CA6).

This report deals with the undetermined decisions from the 18th July Cabinet about the Florence Park site. The report also looks at the expenditure against the ‘one off’ £1m fund to provide pump priming to support community-led solutions for delivering open-access services for children and families agreed by Council in February 2017.  Following three rounds of grant funding and allocations to twenty six organisations, there is a remaining balance of £262,674. The report outlines the proposed approach to managing and allocating the remaining budget.

The Cabinet is asked to make the following decisions:

(a)  Regarding the future use of the Florence Park site:

·                     Option 1 – Support the proposal for asset transfer for Aflah Nursery (potentially subject to any further requirements that Cabinet may determine)

·                     Option 2 – Support the proposal for asset transfer and transition fund grant for Aspire (potentially subject to any further requirements that Cabinet may determine)

·                     Option 3 – Decline both proposals and seek an alternative solution

(b)Approve the proposed use of the transition fund underspend.

Cabinet considered a report that related to the undetermined decisions from the 18th July Cabinet about the Florence Park site. The report also detailed the expenditure against the ‘one off’ £1m fund to provide pump priming to support community-led solutions for delivering open-access services for children and families agreed by Council in February 2017 and sought approval to the proposed approach to managing and allocating the remaining budget.

Mr Aquib Hafeez, Aflah Nursery, spoke in support of the proposal from the Nursery. He commented that although he was unable to guarantee 40 new nursery places at this time it would be possible should the asset transfer go ahead. The Nursery was keen to pursue working with Aspire and stated that it was not they that were unable to work alongside one another. He added that they were a well established and steadily growing nursey and that Florence Park was an ideal solution for them to continue to grow with little upheaval for the current children. They had not been found outstanding by Ofsted due to the lack of space.

Ms Misbah Rishi Hafeez, Aflah Nursery, stated that as a teacher who had taught all groups she was very aware that teaching was only part of it. She expressed how shaken she had been by attitudes expressed to Cabinet at its meeting in July that did not express community spirit. She had felt that there had been a lack of basic respect in remarks that she had found unacceptable. She felt that there had been false assumptions and stressed that whilst they were a private organisation they were seeking to fulfil the needs of the local community. She thanked the Cabinet member for his efforts throughout the lengthy process.

Cabinet expressed dismay to hear of animosity and aggression towards those involved in the nursery bid and made it clear that they were appreciative of both bids. In response Ms Rishi Hafeez stated that Cabinet had dealt with it to the best of their ability at that point and that the Nursery would respect the decision of Cabinet today.

Councillor Linda Smith, Board Member for Leisure, Parks and Sport, Oxford City Council, supported the bid from Aspire. She commented that this in no way was a reflection on the high quality nursery provision from Aflah but rather that Aspire provided the best opportunity to recreate the broad range of services formerly provided by the regrettably closed Children’s Centre. The City Council had agreed to provide £15,000 one-off matched contribution towards the project. Councillor Smith, referring to the café, added that the City Council would not allow the café contract to be a barrier to the scheme.

Jane Gallagher, speaking as a Florence Park area resident and qualified teacher supported the Aspire bid. She highlighted that it was a public building in a public park and was no place for a private business. She wished Aflah well. In response to a query from Councillor Gray as to her views on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66/17

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/039

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

Report by Director of Finance (CA7).

The report is the first in the series on the Service & Resource Planning process for the forthcoming year which will culminate in Council setting a budget for 2018/19 and a medium term plan and capital programme to 2021/22 in February 2018. This initial report sets the context and the starting point for the process. It sets out:

·           the assumptions on which the existing Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) agreed in February 2017 is based,

·           information arising from government and other announcements

·           known and potential financial issues for 2018/19 and beyond which impact on the existing MTFP, and

·           a proposed process for Service & Resource Planning for 2018/19 including a timetable of events.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             Note the report;

(b)            Approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2018/19; and

(c)             Approve a four year period for the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme to 2021/22.

Cabinet had before them the first in a series on the Service & Resource Planning process for the forthcoming year which will culminate in Council setting a budget for 2018/19 and a medium term plan and capital programme to 2021/22 in February 2018. The initial report set the context and the starting point for the process, and sought approval to the proposed process, including the timetable.

Councillor Helen Evans, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance stated that the paper highlighted the challenges faced by the County Council and referred particularly to the projected overspend despite extra funding being put in place. Children’s Services were at breaking point with it being a national problem with increases in safeguarding. She also referred to the pay cap and the possibility of it being exceeded. She queried how realistic it was to plan for reduced demand and the delivery of savings and what reassurance Cabinet could give that it was able to meet the challenges as local government is expected to do more with less.

Councillor Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, recognised that there was a problem to be faced in both the short and longer term. However he stressed that the Council would always safeguard those that needed safeguarding. The announcements on the pay cap were quite recent and he was wary of what might happen. However once the scale of any problem was known the Council would deal with it within their constraints.

Councillor Bartholomew introduced the report and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)             note the report;

(b)             approve the Service and Resource Planning process for 2018/19; and

(c)             approve a four year period for the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme to 2021/22.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/112

Contact: Robin Rogers, Strategy Manager Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA8).

The County Council proposes to make bids to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), an investment programme announced in July 2017 by the Department for Communities and Local Government and administered through the Homes and Communities Agency.

The County Council is required to develop candidate schemes and packages of schemes and make Expression of Interests for viable programmes by 28 September.

This report sets out the requirements of HIF and the process of application and assessment.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)          Agree to the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Housing Infrastructure Fund

(b)         Agree to the process set out above for the assessment of viability of schemes and for their subsequent prioritisation

(c)             Note the current candidate scheme packages and current draft assessments

(d)            Delegate to the Strategic Director for Communities, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Environment, and taking into account the view of the Growth Board, the final viability and prioritisation assessment and the detail of the bid submission including the detail of projects to be included within each scheme.

Cabinet considered a report that sought approval to make bids to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), an investment programme announced in July 2017 by the Department for Communities and Local Government and administered through the Homes and Communities Agency.

The County Council is required to develop candidate schemes and packages of schemes and make Expression of Interests for viable programmes by 28 September.

The report set out the requirements of HIF and the process of application and assessment.

Councillor Jane Murphy, Deputy Leader, South Oxfordshire District Council highlighted the very strong case for investment of the Didcot Garden Town project. There were ambitious plans in place for Didcot and a successful HIF bid would make a sizable contribution to those plans. The current delivery plan was at an advanced stage and she was pleased that officers had scored the scheme highly in the current report. With regard to governance she supported the County Council being the accountable body for any HIF funding. Councillor Murphy made it clear that neither South Oxfordshire nor Vale of White Horse were suggesting that the Garden Town Delivery Board should be fund holding or have decision making powers over infrastructure investment. Councillor Murphy was pleased to confirm that SODV supported the principle of a Growth Deal for Oxfordshire and would continue to work with others to secure a positive growth package for the County. In summary Councillor Murphy restated that the Didcot Garden Town was a strong proposal and that it was in the best interests of Oxfordshire for it to be included in the HIF process. However SODC recognised that the final decision on prioritisation rested with the County Council Cabinet and they would support whichever scheme or schemes are put forward. Responding to questions Councillor Murphy confirmed that they were happy to support whichever bids came out strongest but that it was their belief that the Didcot Garden Town proposal would come out strongest

Councillor Neville Harris, local councillor for Didcot Ladygrove, referred to recommendation (d) in the report which he saw as a sign of the further demise of local representation and local councillor engagement under a Cabinet system. He queried where the local councillor engagement was and how his local knowledge would be utilised. He referred to the lack of public engagement with no public exhibition or public meetings being held. He asked that cabinet should look at recommendation (d) and build in some local member engagement. Councillor Hudspeth indicated that he would expect full member engagement as the proposals progressed.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Opposition Leader, thanked officers who had worked on bringing the proposals forward to respond to the very late bid process from central government. Responding Councillor Hudspeth associated himself with the thanks to officers and replying to a request from Councillor Brighouse, undertook to keep Political Group Leaders informed of discussions as matters progressed.

Bev Hindle, Strategic Director for Communities, took Cabinet through the detail of the report. Responding to questions Bev Hindle explained the revenue risk  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68/17

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/040

Contact: Sarah Currell, HR Manager – IBC Interface, Tel: 07867 467793

Report by Director of Human Resources (CA9).

The report provides an update on staffing numbers and related activity for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017. Progress will be tracked throughout the year on the movement of staffing numbers from those reported at 31 March 2017 as we continue to deliver our required budget savings. We also continue to track reductions since 1 April 2010 to reflect the impact on staffing numbers via delivery of our Business Strategy and Transformation programme.

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 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader, looked forward to the new format and welcomed the reduction in the use of agency staff. She commented that she would like to see details of the contract for the supply of our agency requirements from a single supplier. Overall there was a risk associated with the massive reduction in staff and she felt that the Council would have to work hard to keep the depth of staff required.

Councillor Heathcoat highlighted the change to the format that would allow Cabinet to follow the trend on staffing over time. In moving the recommendation Councillor Heathcoat referred to the reduction in staff numbers from 2010. There was a continuing need to monitor the balance between full time and part time workers and the use of agency staff. She explained that there were legitimate operational reasons for the use of agency staff including cover for maternity leave or sickness or to cover a short term gap as a result of the recruitment process.

RESOLVED:             to note the report.

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 CA9.  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.