Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer invited nominations for Chair of the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2024/25 Council year. Cllr Johnston proposed Cllr Reeves, and Cllr Mallon seconded the nomination.

With no other nominations, Cllr Reeves was ELECTED Chair for the 2024/25 Council year.

Cllr Johnston was proposed as Deputy Chair by Cllr Mallon, and Cllr Middleton seconded the nomination.

There being no other nominations for Deputy Chair, Cllr Johnston was ELECTED Deputy Chair for the 2024/25 Council year.

To receive any apologies for absence and temporary appointments.

There were apologies from Cllr Baines, substituted by Cllr Pressel, and from Cllr Fatemian, substituted by Cllr Simpson.

See guidance note on the back page.

Cllr Miller indicated a potential conflict of interest to the Committee following his recent election as Member of Parliament for Bicester and Woodstock.

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. 

To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak or present a petition are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e., 9am on 15 July 2024.  Requests to speak should be sent to the Scrutiny Officer at scrutiny@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that your views are taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

There were none.

The Committee is recommended to APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2024 and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2024 were AGREED as a true and accurate record.

Cllr Dr Nathan Ley, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, Robin Rogers, Programme Director (Partnerships and Delivery), and Emily Urquhart, Policy Officer, have invited to present a report on the Council’s approach to Community Wealth Building and Wider Social Value outside the statutory processes relating to procurement.

The Committee is asked to consider the report, raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Cllr Dr Nathan Ley, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, Robin Rogers, Programme Director (Partnerships and Delivery), and Emily Urquhart, Policy Officer, were invited to present a report on the Council’s approach to Community Wealth Building and Wider Social Value outside the statutory processes relating to procurement.

Cllr Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Lorna Baxter, Executive Director Resources and Section 151 Officer, and Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health and Communities, were also present to help answer any questions.

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and explained the concept and principles of community wealth building, which aims to reshape the economic system to benefit local communities and address inequalities and environmental challenges.

The Cabinet Member of Finance highlighted some of the achievements and benefits of implementing community wealth building approaches, such as the social value policy, the support for small businesses and social enterprises, and a recent collaboration with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES). The collaboration with the CLES developed a set of recommendations on a number of areas, such as economic development, employment and skills, and social economy.

The Cabinet Member also presented the draft social value definition statement, which outlines the Council's ambitions to integrate social value across its activities and consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts of its decisions.

Cllr Pressel joined the Committee meeting following the presentation.

The Committee welcomed the report and expressed support for the community wealth building approach. They made the following observations and raised a number of questions and comments, such as:

·       How to ensure that the approach is not Oxford-centric and that it addresses the needs and opportunities of different areas and communities in the county. There was a desire for more granular information in relation to the geography of the county within the report.

The Cabinet Member assured the Committee that one of the main objectives of the report was to target the deprived areas of the county. There was a focus on employment, skills, and education. Additionally, the anchor institutions, within the county such as the NHS, would play a key role in this.

There was also an emphasis on the importance of getting communities and locality groups more involved. The Committee welcomed the idea of locality groups being part of the drafting process for plans in their communities.

·       The members talked about ways to collaborate with different groups like local government, universities, businesses, and community groups to promote projects that increase wealth in the community.

The Programme Director described how the report helped set out a formal approach to bring together what had been a fragmented offering. The Council, along with the Local Enterprise Partnership and other partners, would work together to reach out to those in the community less likely to find the support they needed.

·       The Committee explored ways to refine the Community Asset Transfer policy for greater consistency, clarity, and conformity with community wealth building values, while addressing the associated difficulties and necessary compromises.

The Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27/24

Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, Chloe Taylor, Head of Economy, and Nigel Tipple, LEP Chief Executive, have been invited to present a report on Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Integration.

The Committee is asked to consider the report, raise any questions arising, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

NB The report for this item is attached. However, a slide deck will also be used during the meeting, which will be issued as a supplement.

Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, Chloe Taylor, Head of Economy, and Nigel Tipple, LEP Chief Executive, were invited to present a report on Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Integration.

The Leader introduced the report and explained the background and rationale of the LEP integration following central government’s decision to withdraw funding, which aims to enhance the strategic leadership and coordination of the local economic development and recovery.

The Leader outlined the benefits and opportunities of the integration, such as streamlining the governance and funding arrangements, strengthening the partnership and collaboration between the County Council and local businesses, and aligning the economic and social objectives.

The Leader highlighted some of the challenges and risks involved, such as managing the expectations and interests of different stakeholders, ensuring the continuity and quality of the LEP functions and services, and complying with the legal and financial requirements.

The LEP Chief Executive discussed the integration report, explaining the handover of LEP operations to the County Council, as the sole ‘member,’ following central government’s discontinuation of independent LEPs nationally. The second phase of the transition included revising the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan, creating a new business strategy, and stakeholder engagement. The LEP continued to dedicate itself to overseeing public projects, promoting commerce, advancing skills development, and fostering innovation, while also representing local economic interests. Aligning with the County Council's corporate objectives, the LEP considered new policy environments and approaches like community wealth building, circular economy, and doughnut economics. The LEP's governance was adapted during this transition and reports directed to the County Council as the sole ‘member.’

The Committee welcomed the report and expressed support for the LEP integration. Several issues and questions were raised concerning the LEP Integration report, as follows:

·       Members emphasised their desire to see as wider a range as possible of Oxfordshire businesses being represented, especially those in retail and manufacturing.

The Banbury Business Improvement District was cited as a valuable resource for local business knowledge by Councillors and the LEP's Chief Executive. Members also recommended utilizing local groups and council members as resources for insights into area businesses. The Chief Executive of the LEP emphasised that companies from various sectors are central to their efforts, with a local business database containing about eight thousand entries reflecting a wide range.

·       Members questioned the level of liability the Council had as a result of the integration of the LEP, especially in relation to the LEPs on-going budget.

The Leader emphasized that if the LEP were to maintain its current form, its reserves would suffice in covering expenses for two years, although this would be contingent on the manner in which the new administration allocates funds to such initiatives.

The Chief Executive of the LEP clarified that the Council has the authority, via the Leader, to ask for or insist on the approval of the LEP's business plan. This blueprint was currently undergoing preparation, with a preliminary version expected by September.

As far as finances are concerned, the LEP was already fully financed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/24

The Committee is recommended to AGREE its work programme for forthcoming meetings, having heard any changes from previous iterations, and taking account of the Cabinet Forward Plan and of the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

The Committee discussed its work programme for forthcoming meetings, having heard any changes from previous iterations, and taking account of the Cabinet Forward Plan and of the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

Members were informed that there would be a number of all-member briefings, rather than Scrutiny-specific ones, concerning the development of the Council’s forthcoming annual budget.

The Committee AGREED to make the following amendments to its work programme:

·       Add an item on significant changes from central government and the impacts on the Council, particularly around economic development, and devolution.

·       Remove the item on Advice Centres for September and hold briefing instead.

·       An item on options on investigated options for the future use of County Hall in December or January.

No responses have been made by Cabinet since the previous meeting.

The Committee NOTED that no responses had been made by Cabinet since the previous meeting.