Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/118

Contact: Claire Taylor, Corporate Director Customer, Organisation Development & Resources Tel: 07919 367072

Report by Chief Executive (CA6).

*** Annex 1 is to follow ***

Following the Oxfordshire County Council elections on 6 May 2021, a new administration was formed: the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance.

This report sets out the policy objectives and areas of priority for the new administration. In line with the administration’s ambition to listen to our communities and to be open, transparent and ensure the organisation is more accessible to all, a clear one-page document has been developed.

Cabinet is recommended to:

a)           Approve the approach to the development of a new strategic planfor the period commencing 2022/23, including a programme of public consultation ‘Oxfordshire Conversations’ and stakeholder engagement to take place in the autumn.

b)           Endorse the priorities of the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance as set out in paragraph 6 (and the attached annex) to form the basis of these conversations and a new strategic plan.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the policy objectives and areas of priority for the new administration.  The report’s Annex had been updated in Addenda 3.

The Performance Scrutiny Committee had met on 16 July 2021 to consider this report.  Councillor Eddie Reeves, Chair, summarised the comments from that meeting.  He commended the new administration on publishing their priorities before the summer.

There had been varied views expressed on the priorities but Members were agreed that it will be ultimately judged on its delivery.  There were concerns expressed about the financial consequences of the proposals and while it was a noble aim to increase the funding available to the Council, the administration would inevitably be faced with a series of zero-sum decisions at some point.  Members could see what was being prioritised but struggled to see what would consequently be deprioritised.

Councillor Reeves asked when non-Cabinet Members would be able to engage with the further development of the corporate plan.  He suggested that the role of Localities be enhanced as a great resource.  Members had made the point that there should be more on prioritising children and young people.

Some Members of the Committee warned of a danger of consultation fatigue, particularly with the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 going into consultation shortly.  There were also questions about how we make best use of the data from consultation.

Decarbonisation was commended across parties but there were concerns about how that would be achieved beyond divestment of assets and the LED street lighting programme.

Councillor Liz Leffman introduced the report.  She stated that the new administration wanted to make its priorities clear and easy to understand.  These priorities would inform the budget and work towards a fairer and greener county.  Councillor Leffman moved the Recommendations.

Councillor Liz Brighouse added that promises made to the electorate in the recent Council elections were reflected in the document.  They intended it to be a living document and would engage with residents on it.  While it was the beginning of a process, the Cabinet had already started to deliver, for example by providing over 20,000 places for young people over the summer to participate in activities that they would not otherwise be able to access.  Councillor Brighouse seconded the Recommendations.

Councillor Calum Miller, responding to the scrutiny committee’s questions about the next stages, stated that he looked forward to working with colleagues to flesh out the proposals and demonstrate how, by aligning the resources with the priorities, a programme of change can be delivered.

Councillor Pete Sudbury assured Councillor Reeves that divestment from buildings will not be counted as a carbon saving – they will report on like for like.  It was also planned to include indirect emissions such as the data centre and road maintenance as well as reporting on the effects of Council decisions.

The Recommendation was put, including the revised Annex document in Addenda 3.

RESOLVED: to

a)            approve the approach to the development of a new strategic planfor the period commencing 2022/23, including a programme of public consultation ‘Oxfordshire Conversations’ and stakeholder engagement to take place in the autumn.  

b)           endorse the priorities of the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance as set out in paragraph 6 (and the attached annex) to form the basis of these conversations and a new strategic plan.