Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record.

The questions received from County Councillors and responses are set out in an Annex to these Minutes.

This Cabinet meeting will be held virtually in order to conform with current guidelines regarding social distancing. Normally requests to speak at this public meeting are required by 9 am on the day preceding the published date of the meeting. However, during the current situation and to facilitate these new arrangements we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e. 9 am on 16 June 2021. Requests to speak should be sent to: Colm.OCaomhanaigh@Oxfordshire.gov.uk. together with a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9 am 2 working days before the meeting.

Where a meeting is held virtually and the addressee is unable to participate virtually their written submission will be accepted.

Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed by the Chair:

Item 13 – Releasing Development Strategy in Didcot and Surrounding Villages in the Vicinity of HIF 1 Schemes - Councillor Sally Povolotsky

Item 14 – Housing Infrastructure Fund 1 - In Principle Use of Statutory Powers – Councillor Sally Povolotsky

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/074

Contact: Robin Rogers, Programme Director COVID Response Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Chief Executive (CA6) 

On 26 December 2020, Oxfordshire entered local Tier 4 restrictions in response to a rise in COVID-19 case-rates and pressure on the health system. A broader national lock-down was reinstituted from 5 January. As part of an integrated systems response, Oxfordshire County Council has continued to play a critical role in leading the ongoing local response to COVID-19 and in supporting residents to maintain their broader health and wellbeing.

The impact of national, local and individual efforts has brought case rates back to low levels. As a consequence, national restrictions are being eased through the Roadmap period. As we reach the end of the originally planned Roadmap period, this report describes the current local COVID-19 situation. It summarises the response to COVID-19 over the past six months, describes ongoing activity and includes a description of the recovery status of Council services. It goes on to set out the requirement to maintain and adapt COVID-19 capacity and management structures as the context in which we work continues to evolve rapidly. Finally, it recommends that the local and organisational lessons learnt from the pandemic should be used to help direct long-term recovery planning and inform future corporate direction.

An announcement on the planned 21 June lockdown step is due on the evening of 14 June after the publication of this agenda. The report will therefore be published as a late paper in order to accurately reflect the updated position.

Cabinet had been asked to consider a report describing the current local COVID-19 situation, summarising the response to COVID-19 over the past six months, describing ongoing activity, including a description of the recovery status of Council services, setting out the requirement to maintain and adapt COVID-19 capacity and management structures and recommending that the local and organisational lessons learnt from the pandemic should be used to help direct long-term recovery planning and inform future corporate direction.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, prefaced the discussion by acknowledging that everybody had been impacted by the pandemic and that everybody knew somebody who has been seriously ill or sadly died as a result.  She was aware of the particular impact of the lockdown on children and young people.

The Leader thanked all the people around the county who had contributed to the tremendous community efforts to support the vulnerable and isolated.  There was much to learn in how communities pulled together to look after each other.

The Council and its staff had worked tirelessly to limit the spread of the virus and to support our colleagues in the NHS.  The Council had to innovate and adapt to continue to deliver essential services and the Leader commended all those involved.

Robin Rogers, Programme Director Covid Response, introduced the report which looked back on the last phase of the pandemic, from late 2020, and looked ahead at the road map out of lockdown.  It was reporting on the response of the Council and its partners in the Districts, City, NHS, voluntary sector and the business sector.

While responding to the pandemic, the Council was continuing to deliver essential services – sometimes in a different way.  The report summarised the resource implications and also outlined plans for further recovery and how the lessons learned could be incorporated into long-term planning and strategy.

RESOLVED: to note:

(a)      the latest public health situation with regard to COVID-19, the management arrangements in place and the resource impact of the pandemic as set out in this report;

(b)      the joint Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council programme of activity underway that continues to respond and adapt to the pandemic as set out in Appendix 1;

(c)      the summary of COVID-19 service impact set out in Appendix 2;

(d)      the plans set out from paragraph 35 for recovery planning and for further understanding the lessons learnt for the organisation from the pandemic and agree that a programme of engagement with the Performance Scrutiny Committee, all council members and key partners should be developed in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Performance Scrutiny Committee.

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Cabinet Member for Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/001

Contact: Louise Tustian, Head of Insight & Corporate Programmes Tel: 07741 607452/Hannah Doney, Head of Corporate Finance Tel: 07584 174654

Report by Corporate Director Customers & Organisational Development and Director of Finance (CA7).

This report sets out Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) progress towards Corporate Plan priorities for 2020/21 – March 2021. 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)           notethis month’sbusiness management andmonitoring report; 

(b)           note the annual review2020/21; 

(c)           note the virements set out in Annex C-2b; 

(d)       notethe summaryof financialposition for 2020/21along with theyear- end position on general balances and earmarked reserves as set out in Annex C;

(e)       approvethe underspend£5.9m shouldbe transferredto balances. 

Cabinet considered a report setting out Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) progress towards Corporate Plan priorities for 2020/21 – March 2021.

Councillor Calum Miller, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report which showed that the Council preformed very strongly last year in very difficult circumstances and he thanked officers for their exceptionally hard work.  Of the 27 performance indicators in the Corporate Plan, 17 were rated Green, 9 Amber and one could not be reported due to Covid-19.

At 31 March 2021, there had been an underspend of £5.9m on directorate services largely due to lower demand for some services due to the pandemic.  It was proposed that this balance be transferred to general reserves.  At the year end, there was a balance of £14.2m remaining of the COVID-19 budget and this was proposed to be transferred to the COVID-19 reserve.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, praised the exceptional work of staff, particularly in the Customer Services Centre, who provided an extended hours service to vulnerable people who were shielding.  She also highlighted the work of the IT teams in providing superfast broadband across the county, enabling employees to work from home almost immediately when the lockdown happened and finding innovative ways to allow Cabinet and committee meetings to continue.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, thanked his predecessor Councillor Yvonne Constance and former Councillor Suzanne Bartington, who championed active travel, and committed to bringing forward and enhancing their work.  He confirmed that the Zero Emissions Zone was due to be launched in August and there were plans to extend the e-scooter hire scheme which had been successful in Headington to other areas.  He thanked bus providers and workers for improving services, even during the pandemic, particularly in regard to access to the Westgate Centre.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, noted the difficulties created for rural villages with the reduction in bus services in 2016 and stated that there was now an opportunity to redefine how the bus system worked.  He was looking to expand the School Streets pilots to other areas as well as other measures to reduce traffic, thereby cutting emissions and pollution and making the streets safer.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, described how the Council continued to help more people to receive care in the home and live more independently, working in partnership with Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford Health and Age UK Oxfordshire.  90.4% of people with learning disabilities were living on their own or with families compared to the national average of 76%.  She also noted that 94% percent of care homes were rated good our outstanding.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, expressed concern about the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the mental health of young people in particular.  The Mental Wellbeing Hub for Young People had been launched in March 2021 and was intended to support young people suffering from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51/21

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/002

Contact: Hannah Doney, Head of Corporate Finance Tel: 07584 174654

Report by Director of Finance (CA8).

The Council’s ten-year Capital Programme sets out the agreed capital investment to deliver the priorities identified in the Council’s Capital and Investment Strategy.  The report sets out the performance against the planned capital programme for2020/21.  Figures shown in the report reflect those to be included in the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the performance against the capital programme for 2020/21 as set out in the report.

Cabinet had before it a report setting out the performance against the planned capital programme for2020/21.  Figures shown in the report reflect those to be included in the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2020/21.

Calum Miller, Cabinet Member for Finance, summarised the report.  He drew attention to the table on Agenda Page 122 which listed the underspends on the programme but noted that these were mostly cases of expenditure delayed and not foregone.

The Finance team was currently managing capital to minimise borrowing costs so grant or S106 funding was used first.  The biggest risk ahead lay in the management of the Housing Infrastructure Fund monies as these were time bound and claimed in arrears.  These elements were being tracked closely by Cabinet and officers.

RESOLVED: to note the performance against the capital programme for 2020/21 as set out in the report.

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/021

Contact: Tim Chapple, Treasury Manager Tel 07917 262935

Report by Director of Finance (CA9).

The report sets out the Treasury Management performance in the financial year 2020/21 in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.  The report includes Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, Investment Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report, and to RECOMMEND Council to note the Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2020/21.

Cabinet had before it a report setting out the Treasury Management performance in the financial year 2020/21 including Debt and Investment activity, Prudential Indicator Outturn, Investment Strategy, and interest receivable and payable for the financial year.

Calum Miller, Cabinet Member for Finance, noted that the Treasury Management team achieved an average in-house return for the year of 0.84%, above the benchmark.  The fund was £1 million ahead of budget, a creditable performance in a challenging year.

The Council’s average interest rate on its long-term debt was 4.46%, lower than for most local authorities.  The team kept under review the possibility of restructuring this but the current view was that it would not be advisable to replace older debt with newer.

The Council was active in medium-term lending to other local authorities as it could offer lower rates than the Public Works Loan Board.  Councillor Miller thanked his predecessor Councillor David Bartholomew for his stewardship of the finances over the last term.

RESOLVED: to note the report, and to RECOMMEND Council to note the

Council’s Treasury Management Activity in 2020/21.

Cabinet Member: Community Services & Safety

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/055

Contact: Lesli Good, Assistant Director, Cultural Services Tel: 07930 617798

Report by Corporate Director of Customers and Organisational Development (CA10).

Cabinet agreed on 20 April 2021 to the development of a Libraries and Heritage Strategy to be presented to Cabinet by the end of 2021.  The development of a strategy will set a clear long-term direction for the development of these services, their contribution to post pandemic recovery and wider community outcomes focused around the following themes:

·               education, learning and skills

·               healthy place shaping and well-being

·               culture and creativity

·               digital inclusion

·               social inclusion and community cohesion

·               economic development

·               environmental sustainability

The strategy will be informed by an evidence base including a review of current performance, analysis of community needs and customer feedback. Further, insight will be gathered through community engagement in Faringdon and Banbury, these locations have planned library improvements (including capital expenditure) and offer an immediate opportunity for proactive stakeholder engagement in shaping the future of the service. 

In developing the evidence base the county council have benefited from feedback from a Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review on Oxfordshire Libraries and Heritage Services Libraries which took place virtually on 11 and 12 March 2021.  Cabinet is now asked to consider the report, note the recommendations made, and agree that these should be incorporated into the council’s business planning and development of the strategy.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       consider the LGA Cultural Services Peer Review feedback report (Annex 1);

(b)       note the recommendations set out within the report;

(c)       agree the proposals set out at paragraph 10 for incorporating the report’s recommendations into the service planning and Libraries and Heritage Strategy development process.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval for the development of a clear vision and strategic framework for the planning and delivery of libraries and heritage services to strengthen the contribution they make to wider community outcomes.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, thanked all the staff and volunteers who had engaged positively with the peer challenge as well as the peer review team.  As the Council developed its services it was important that they take account of the recommendations.  The report contained a lot of good ideas and advice as well as signposting good practices elsewhere.

Councillor Fawcett drew attention to the statistics in Appendix 1 showing how use of library services in Oxfordshire was well above the national average.  He also noted as an example the 5,400 hours of voluntary support given to Oxfordshire Museum.

The Council’s own review will take place later this year.  Councillor Fawcett was keen that it be a listening exercise and that as many councillors as possible take part.

Councillor Mark Lygo added that he was aware of many messages of appreciation from people who were isolating and who wanted to thank volunteers without whom they would not be reading.

The Leader reiterated how important libraries were in their communities and stated that it was this Cabinet’s intention to support them as much as possible.

RESOLVED to:

a)            consider the LGA Cultural Services Peer Review feedback report (Annex 1);

b)           note the recommendations set out within the report;

c)            agree the proposals set out at paragraph 10 for incorporating the report’s recommendations into the service planning and Libraries and Heritage Strategy development process.

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/071

Contact: John Disley, Infrastructure Strategy & Policy Manager Tel: 07767 006742

Report by Corporate Director for Environment and Place (CA11).

The National Bus Strategy (NBS), published on 15 March, includes a specific requirement for all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to commit to establishing Enhanced Partnerships across their areas under the Bus Services Act by the end of June 2021.  

Commitment to an Enhanced Partnership can be done either as the long-term intention or as a precursor to development of a London-style franchising scheme. From 1 July 2021, only LTAs and operators who meet these requirements will continue to receive the COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant (CBSSG), any new sources of bus funding from the Government’s £3bn funding commitment to buses announced last year (including funding for recovery in 2021/22) and potentially Bus Service Operator’s Grant (BSOG).

This proposal would commit the Council to enter into a formal, legal partnership arrangement with bus operators in order to meet the requirements set out in the NBS and for the Council and operators to be able to continue to access central Government funding for buses.  Commitment to enter into an Enhanced Partnership needs to be followed by the publication of a Bus Service Improvement Plan by the end of October 2021, which is proposed to form part of the Council’s emerging Local Transport & Connectivity Plan.

Key issues covered in the report include:

·       The relative features, advantages and risks of an Enhanced Partnership compared with the Franchising alternative;

·       The requirements of a Bus Service Improvement Plan

·       The current context, including the emerging post-COVID position on bus operations and use and how the proposed approach could support recovery;

·       Issues for partners, particularly bus operators, and opportunities for our joint working;

·       Financial/legal implications and risks and issues for service delivery and reputation, for example in relation to the potential need to support socially and/or economically necessary services.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       commit to establishing an Enhanced Partnership across Oxfordshire under the Bus Services Act 2017; and

(b)       give formal notice of the Council’s intention to prepare an Enhanced Partnership and invite all local bus operators to confirm their intention to participate.

Cabinet considered a proposal to establish an Enhanced Partnership across Oxfordshire under the Bus Services Act 2017.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, stated that the Council wanted an enhanced partnership with bus operators to get more people using buses.  He favoured this over the alternative franchising system.  There was a need to reach out to rural communities as well as improving the already excellent services in the city.  The partnership could deliver improved ticketing across bus and train services.  This was a commitment in principle, the detail would still need to be worked out with the bus companies.

Councillor Duncan Enright welcomed the move while understanding people’s nervousness about public transport under Covid-19.  There was no substitute for a great bus system and linking it to an expanded rail network was very exciting.

Councillor Liz Brighouse noted that services needed to be fit for everyone.  She was particularly concerned that so many children around the county were not able to get a scheduled bus to school, leading to an increasing budget for Home to School Transport.  She also asked that consideration be given to people with mobility issues who cannot get to a bus stop and suggested reinstating something like the previous Pick-Me-Up service.

Councillor Pete Sudbury noted that with so much development going on in the county it was vital to get more people to switch to public transport as road building would not be able to keep up.  This was a vital part of the transport policy.  Most car miles took place in rural areas so there was a much greater saving in emissions from putting services into those areas.  Services needed to be regular and reliable with safe places to park bicycles.

RESOLVED to:

(a)             commit to establishing an Enhanced Partnership across Oxfordshire under the Bus Services Act 2017; and

(b)             give formal notice of the Council’s intention to prepare an Enhanced Partnership and invite all local bus operators to confirm their intention to participate.

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/077

Contact: Joanne Fellows, Growth Manager – Central Tel: 07990 368897

Report by Assistant Director for Growth & Place (CA12).

The Government is seeking ‘Expressions of Interest’ (EoI) for local authorities to take part in the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, in support of the Government’s Road to Zero Strategy for transition to zero emission transport by 2050.

The funding, which totals £120 million and is expected to support at least three areas, is intended to enable deployment of zero emission buses and relevant accompanying infrastructure.

In order to best meet the criteria and maximise the opportunity and chances of success, it is recommended that an EoI is submitted which would incorporate urban services operating wholly within the Oxford SmartZone area.  The SmartZone area extends from Kidlington in the north to Kennington in the south, and from Cumnor in the west to Wheatley in the east.   

If successful, this bid would support a number of the key corporate priorities related to health and well-being, climate action, air quality and healthy place shaping.  A reduction in bus emissions in Oxford would contribute to better air quality and better environments for all users as well as reducing transport’s contribution to climate change.  Electric buses may also improve the image of buses and the passenger experience, helping to boost bus use and reduce traffic congestion. There are also linkages to the Council’s current work, for example Connecting Oxford and the Oxford Zero Emission Zone, the first phase of which is due to start operating in summer 2021.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       authorise officers to finalise and submit an Expression of Interest for the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas funding initiative;

(b)       agree a capital allocation of up to £6m in 2022/23 to provide additional council grant to bus operators, if operators can demonstrate this is required to make the scheme feasible.

Cabinet considered a report recommending that officers finalise and submit an Expression of Interest for the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas funding initiative with a capital allocation of up to £6m in 2022/23 to provide additional council grant to bus operators, if operators can demonstrate this is required to make the scheme feasible.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, summarised the proposal as aimed at ensuring that all buses operating within the city and immediately surrounding areas will be electric.  It would make Oxford an exemplar city in this regard.  He agreed with comments made earlier on making buses accessible to all people.  He described this proposal as an important milestone in developing the bus network.

Councillor Pete Sudbury welcomed the government support for this scheme.  New technologies often needed a push from central government and the Council needed to encourage the government to do more in this respect.

Councillor Duncan Enright welcomed the proposal which was necessary to achieve the Zero Emissions Zone in Oxford City.  He hoped to see the area covered expand as the bus network is developed.

Councillor Calum Miller also supported the provision of electric buses in the city and surrounding areas but hoped that the displaced more-polluting buses would not simply be deployed on our rural roads.  He noted the commitment of up to £6m to support this scheme and expected that Cabinet Members and officers will work hard to ensure that the amount we agree to contribute in the end will be taken in the round as they work with bus operators to make the best use of tax payers’ money.

Asked by the Leader if there were long-term plans to expand the electric bus fleets across the county, Councillor Bearder responded that there were currently technical limitations on the range that electric buses could achieve but these may be overcome with the development of hydrogen buses for example.

RESOLVED: to:

(a)             authorise officers to finalise and submit an Expression of Interest for the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas funding initiative;

(b)             agree a capital allocation of up to £6m in 2022/23 to provide additional council grant to bus operators, if operators can demonstrate this is required to make the scheme feasible.

Cabinet Member: Highways Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/018

Contact:Jason Sherwood, South Growth Manager Tel: 07795 684708/Cathy Champion, Infrastructure Locality Lead Tel: 07920 084256/Michael Deadman Transport Development Control Lead Officer Tel: 07767 608992

Report by Assistant Director Growth & Place (CA13).

Prior to Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure (HIF 1) funding being secured in June 2020, it was established that the local and strategic highway network that serves Didcot and the surrounding area has severe congestion and capacity issues during the morning and evening commuter periods. 

To manage the highway network a strategy was devised in 2018 between officers of the district councils and Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to control development within areas (including Didcot) that have the most severe capacity issues in the absence of strategic highway infrastructure to support new growth in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts (as identified in LTP4 and district Local Plans).   This strategy involved OCC in the role as Local Highway Authority objecting to new developments that will generate a new vehicular trip in the morning and evening commuter peak times.

While this approach enabled both district councils and OCC to manage the impact of new development on the highway network and support the HIF 1 bid, it has placed OCC’s position under immense scrutiny and officers are aware of frustration from developers who have been unable to progress their allocated development sites since HIF 1 funding was secured. Such frustrations have led to some development sites appealing their planning applications

To assist with the delivery of much needed housing in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts, officers have identified the need for a development strategy to be implemented by OCC.  Allowing for some controlled development to come forward prior to HIF 1 infrastructure being available for public use. 

This development strategy seeks to avoid speculative development, potential appeal costs against the council and deliver some much-needed housing in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts.  It assumes that housing build programmes / trajectories can align with the delivery programme of HIF 1 and applicants demonstrate that there will be no severe harm to the operation of the highway network. It also allows for the controlled release of employment following a similar approach.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to implement a strategy to assist with the delivery of new development in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts to allow some growth to come forward in a controlled manner prior to HIF 1 funded infrastructure being open for public use based upon the following requirements:

·            Development site housing build programmes / trajectories / occupations being aligned with (or after) the delivery of HIF 1 which will require occupation thresholds / controls on development sites.

·            Development sites to provide agreed sustainable / active travel infrastructure at the beginning (early occupations) of development sites to reduce traffic impact on the highway network prior to HIF 1 delivery.

·            New services or enhancements to existing bus  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57/21

Councillor Sally Povolotsky withdrew her request to speak.

Cabinet had before it recommendations to implement a strategy to assist with the delivery of new development in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts to allow some growth to come forward in a controlled manner prior to HIF 1 funded infrastructure being open for public use based upon specified requirements.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, introduced the first of three items relating to the Housing Infrastructure Fund to provide for the new housing needed over the coming decade.  This proposal dealt with the Didcot Garden Town area.

The Council had opposed further housing in this area on the basis that there was insufficient transport infrastructure.  Blanket refusal would risk appeals and uncontrolled development whereas in this proposal, for some of the development, the Council’s approval can be timed so that they are built when the infrastructure has been delivered.

Councillor Tim Bearder welcomed the proposal and noted that officers were working on ensuring that the plans in this area will incorporate promotion of active travel.

Councillor Pete Sudbury noted that carbon emissions needed to be reduced by 50% by 2030 according to the United Nations.  The houses in these developments were not yet built to the best standards and would need to be retrofitted.  He was committed to working with the building industry to ensure that emissions were counted properly and ultimately reduced.

RESOLVED: to implement a strategy to assist with the delivery of new development in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts to allow some growth to come forward in a controlled manner prior to HIF 1 funded infrastructure being open for public use based upon the following requirements:

·                    Development site housing build programmes / trajectories / occupations being aligned with (or after) the delivery of HIF 1 which will require occupation thresholds / controls on development sites.

·                    Development sites to provide agreed sustainable / active travel infrastructure at the beginning (early occupations) of development sites to reduce traffic impact on the highway network prior to HIF 1 delivery.

·                    New services or enhancements to existing bus service arrangements being implemented at the beginning (early occupations) of development sites.

·                    Local off-site and on-site highway works to be delivered at the early stages of development to lessen the direct impact of a development site on the highway network.

·                    Travel Plans prepared and approved by the council’s Travel Plan team with deliverable and monitored targets.

·                    Strategic transport / highway contributions will be sought in accordance with Regulation 122 and the three Section 106 tests.

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/052

Contact:Aron Wisdom, Programme Lead (HIF1) Tel: 07776 244856

Report by Director of Growth and Economy (CA14).

The Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund programme (hereon in referred to as HIF1) is to fund £218m of a £234m package of measures (the remaining funding - circa £16m - will come from developer obligations either held or secured by Oxfordshire County Council via section 106 agreements. Any funds not held at the time of construction will be forward funded by Oxfordshire County Council) consisting of four separate but interdependent highways schemes:

(a)              A4130 widening from Milton Interchange to a new Science Bridge by making it a dual carriageway;

(b)              a new Didcot Science Bridge from the A4130 over the Great Western Railway Mainline into the Didcot ‘A’ Power Station site and re-joining the A4130 Northern Perimeter Road north of the Purchas Road/Hawksworth roundabout;

(c)               a new river crossing and link road between the A4130 at Didcot and A415 at Culham, including two new bridges;

(d)              a Clifton Hampden Bypass between the A415 at Culham Science Centre and B4015 north of Clifton Hampden.

The primary focus of HIF1 is to provide additional highway capacity and connectivity to resolve long-standing capacity constraints that is preventing new homes and jobs allocated in local plans from coming forward in a timely manner. Additionally, the infrastructure will include high quality and completely segregated cycling and pedestrian facilities. Coupled with creating the right environment for enhanced bus services in the area, the new infrastructure will provide residents with real mode choice.

Land assembly is a key driver to project delivery and hence the report outlines the in principle use of various statutory powers to mitigate this risk to the Council, as far as is reasonably practicable.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       approve in principle the development of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x]. Negotiations for private acquisition will be conducted in parallel to the compulsory purchase process. Powers of compulsory purchase will be used only as a matter of last resort, in order to bring forward the timely development of the Housing Infrastructure Fund 1 (HIF1) project. Formal authority for the making of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] will be reported to Cabinet following the submission of a planning application for the scheme;

(b)       approve the preparation and service of statutory notices for the Requisition of Information pursuant to Section 16 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (as amended) to assist with determining the interests in the land required for the delivery of the scheme;

(c)       approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in draft, together with a draft Order Map, draft Order Schedule, draft Statement of Reasons and all necessary land referencing activity in advance of seeking formal authority to make the Order;

(d)       approve the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 58/21

Cabinet was asked to consider a series of proposals to facilitate this programme  the primary focus of which was to provide additional highway capacity and connectivity to resolve long-standing capacity constraints that were preventing new homes and jobs allocated in local plans from coming forward in a timely manner.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, described the proposal, which also applied to the Didcot area, as rather technical, giving officers the tools they needed – for example Compulsory Purchase Orders – to move to the next stage of development.  There were no detailed plans to be decided at this point.

RESOLVED to:

(a)             approve in principle the development of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x]. Negotiations for private acquisition will be conducted in parallel to the compulsory purchase process. Powers of compulsory purchase will be used only as a matter of last resort, in order to bring forward the timely development of the Housing Infrastructure Fund 1 (HIF1) project. Formal authority for the making of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] will be reported to Cabinet following the submission of a planning application for the scheme;

(b)             approve the preparation and service of statutory notices for the Requisition of Information pursuant to Section 16 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (as amended) to assist with determining the interests in the land required for the delivery of the scheme;

(c)             approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (Access to Didcot Garden Town) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in draft , together with a draft Order Map, draft Order Schedule, draft Statement of Reasons and all necessary land referencing activity in advance of seeking formal authority to make the Order;

(d)             approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 202[x] in accordance with section 106(3) of The Highways Act 1980 (as amended) in relation to a new road overbridge crossing of the River Thames, being a navigable waterway;

(e)             approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) – A4130 Improvement) (Side Roads) Order 202[x] (or multiple Side Roads Orders as may be necessary), and The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot Garden Town Highways Infrastructure – A4130 Improvement) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] to enable the stopping-up, diversion, amendment, improvement and creation of new lengths of highway or reclassification of existing highways. Please note that the final titles of the orders will be determined as the project progresses and will be updated in this report accordingly. This includes the stopping up of private means of access as necessary where the scheme design necessitates. Formal approval for the making of Side Roads Order(s) will be reported to Cabinet, and necessary approval sought, following the submission of a planning application for the scheme.

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/053

Contact: Tom Shuttleworth, A40 Programme Lead Tel: 07908 059132

Report by Director of Growth & Economy (CA15).

In November 2019, it was announced that Oxfordshire County Council’s Housing Infrastructure Fund bid had been successful in securing £102m of grant funding towards a package of transport improvements proposed along 10.8km of the A40 corridor between Witney and Duke’s Cut (North Oxford), known as A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor (HIF2). The contract with Homes England in the form of a Grant Determination Agreement (GDA) was subsequently entered in to in August 2020.

The primary focus of HIF2 is the provision of additional highway capacity and connectivity to encourage/facilitate modal shift, enabling more sustainable forms of travel to meet the Council’s zero carbon transport network ambitions focussing this around public transport and active travel. Delivery is also intended to expedite a significant level of economic benefits in terms of new homes and retained and new employment opportunities within West Oxfordshire.

Land assembly is a key driver to project delivery and hence the report outlines the in principle use of various statutory powers to mitigate this risk to the Council, as far as is reasonably practicable.

Following a review of the scheme and further negotiations with Homes England there is agreement to extend the HIF funding allocation to cover all current scheme costs, subject to an amended GDA to the value of £106.756m, through to February 2025.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)       approve in principle the development of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort, in order to bring forward the timely development of the A40 HIF2 Project. Formal authority for the making of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] will be reported to Cabinet, and necessary approval sought, following public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme;

(b)       approve the preparation and service of statutory notices for the Requisition of Information pursuant to Section 16 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (as amended) to assist with determining the interests in the land required for the delivery of the scheme;

(c)       approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor)Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in draft , together with a draft Order Map, draft Order Schedule, draft Statement of Reasons and all necessary land referencing activity in advance of seeking formal authority to make the Order;

(d)       approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (HIF2 Smart Corridor – A40 Classified Road) Side Roads Order 202[x](or multiple Side Roads Orders as may be necessary) to enable the stopping-up, diversion, alteration, improvement and creation of new lengths of highway or reclassification of existing highways. This includes the stopping up of private means of access as necessary where the scheme design necessitates. Formal approval for  ...  view the full agenda text for item 59/21

Cabinet had before it a series of recommendations related to the provision of additional highway capacity and connectivity to encourage/facilitate modal shift, enabling more sustainable forms of travel to meet the Council’s zero carbon transport network ambitions focussing this around public transport and active travel.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, noted that this was similar in nature to the previous technical proposal but related to development of the A40 and the provision of cycling and bus lanes.

Councillor Tim Bearder stressed that officers were looking at future-proofing the designs to allow for the provision of rail services to Witney and Carterton.  This needed to be done without delaying development as that could cost millions of pounds.

RESOLVED to:

(a)         approve in principle the development of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort, in order to bring forward the timely development of the A40 HIF2 Project. Formal authority for the making of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] will be reported to Cabinet, and necessary approval sought, following public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme;

(b)         approve the preparation and service of statutory notices for the Requisition of Information pursuant to Section 16 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (as amended) to assist with determining the interests in the land required for the delivery of the scheme;

(c)         approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor)Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in draft , together with a draft Order Map, draft Order Schedule, draft Statement of Reasons and all necessary land referencing activity in advance of seeking formal authority to make the Order;

(d)         approve the preparation of The Oxfordshire County Council (HIF2 Smart Corridor – A40 Classified Road) Side Roads Order 202[x](or multiple Side Roads Orders as may be necessary) to enable the stopping-up, diversion, alteration, improvement and creation of new lengths of highway or reclassification of existing highways. This includes the stopping up of private means of access as necessary where the scheme design necessitates. Formal approval for the making of Side Roads Order(s) will be reported to Cabinet, and necessary approval sought, following public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme;

(e)         subject to the confirmation that the required due diligence has been completed to manage programme and financial risk to the Council, authorise the Corporate Director Environment and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law & Governance, Director of Finance, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy and Cabinet Member for Finance to approve the amended Grant Determination Agreement (GDA);

(f)           subject to the satisfactory completion of recommendation (e) approve the additional £4.745m Housing Infrastructure Fund grant for an overall budget provision of £106.756m for the A40 HIF2 Smart Corridor project within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59/21

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/069

Contact: Gillian Douglas, Assistant Director Housing & Social Care Commissioning Tel: 07503 259834

Report by Corporate Director – Adults & Housing (CA16).

Through the Care Act 2014, the Council has a responsibility to meet the care and support needs of adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.  To achieve positive outcomes the council generally supports these service users to live independently with their care needs met in their own home. 

Through the provision of supported living accommodation, the council enables people to live in their own home with care support provided on site.  Based on current and anticipated supply, there is a need to access an additional planned pipeline of supported living accommodation in Oxfordshire over the next 2-3 years and to increase the overall supply of suitable properties.  The report outlines a proposal to invest £5m capital funding in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund in order to deliver up to 25 units of supported living accommodation for people with learning disabilities and autism.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve an investment of £5.0m by the County Council in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund for the delivery of supported living accommodation units for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Cabinet had before it a report outlining a proposal to invest £5m capital funding in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund in order to deliver up to 25 units of supported living accommodation for people with learning disabilities and autism. 

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, introduced the report.  She thanked officers Gillian Douglas, Kathy Wilcox, Karen Buckingham, Robyn Noonan and Stephen Chandler as well as Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Calum Miller.

Councillor Hannaby emphasised that Resonance was an experienced social impact investment and property fund manager with a track record of delivering accommodation for vulnerable groups on behalf of local authorities.  The proposed investment of £5m would provide 20 to 25 units.  It was to cover an initial period of 8 years with a possible further 8 years.  This scheme will be monitored to ensure that it is delivered as planned.

Councillor Hannaby added that she wanted to ensure that all of the units provided would be used to accommodate Oxfordshire residents.

Councillor Pete Sudbury welcomed the proposal.  Having worked in Mental Health he had seen the disabling effects of institutions, however well run.  The ability to live in a normal house on a normal street was very important.

Councillor Liz Brighouse noted that this was being delivered using a social capital fund and she hoped this type of vehicle could be user more often.  Councillor Hannaby responded that they were looking at other ways of providing as many units again because they were needed.

Councillor Calum Miller outlined the financial aspects of the proposal which should provide a return of around 6% per annum.  The main risk was related to the 8-year cycle which could mean that the property market might not be in the best place when we wanted to withdraw.  He judged that risk to be low and there was an appetite for Oxfordshire to initiate more innovative projects like this one.

Councillor Mark Lygo stated that the project was much needed.  He asked if in future projects the residents could be involved in the design stages.  Councillor Hannaby welcomed that suggestion.

RESOLVED: to approve an investment of £5.0m by the County Council in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund for the delivery of supported living accommodation units for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Cabinet Member: Corporate Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/177

Contact: Sarah Currell, HR Manager – Business Systems Tel: 07867 467793

Report by Director of Human Resources (CA17).

Quarterly staffing report providing details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on key HR activities during Quarter 4, details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, thanked Karen Edwards and her team for the report.  Staff were in lockdown for the period of this report and largely working from home.  The team updated Covid-19 advice continuously over the period.

The Council produced its first ethnicity pay gap report for 2019/2020.  The data identified a small ethnicity pay gap in terms of the mean hourly rate of 1.1% and there was a lower proportion of BAME staff in the lower middle quartile and the upper pay quartile.  The Council was seeking to narrow and eliminate these gaps.

Councillor Phillips added that an Apprenticeship Manager post was being created to support the development of an apprenticeship strategy, improve optimisation of the apprenticeship levy, the development and embedding of career pathways, to support work with our communities around skills gaps and social mobility and to help establish better links with young people across Oxfordshire who are experiencing barriers to employment. 

Councillor Phillips was concerned that Stress, Anxiety and Depression remained the top reason for sickness absence.  The report described a number of ways in which the Council supported staff but more will be done to raise the profile of the Employee Assistance Programme.  They remained conscious that working from home has had different impacts on individuals and this needed to be kept in mind in the move to more hybrid working.

RESOLVED: to note the report.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/176

Contact: Colm Ó Caomhánaigh, Committee Officer Tel: 07393 001096

Report by Director of Law & Governance (CA18).

The report asks the Cabinet to consider member appointments to a variety of bodies which in different ways support the discharge of the Council’s executive functions. The report reflects the basis on which appointments to the respective bodies have been made in the past and, subject to any adjustments that may be considered appropriate, invites the Cabinet to agree arrangements for filling the councillor places on those bodies.  A further update Annex will be circulated shortly prior to the Meeting, once all appointments are known.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree the appointments to the bodies set out in the Annex to this report.

Cabinet was asked to consider member appointments to a variety of bodies which in different ways supported the discharge of the Council’s executive functions and to agree arrangements for filling the councillor places on those bodies.

RESOLVED: to agree the appointments to the bodies set out in the Annex to this report.

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Ali Bartlett, Democratic Support Officer Tel: 07741 607515

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 CA19.  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.

The Leader commented that she found the document cumbersome and asked for views on a better way to organise it.  Anita Bradley, Monitoring Officer, responded that she was happy to make some suggestions and receive suggestions from Members on better ways of presenting the Plan.

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