Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Law and Governance

Purpose of report

To brief Executive on the Oxfordshire Councils Charter (‘Parish Charter’)

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1         To endorse the Oxfordshire Councils Charter and agree that Cherwell District Council become a signatory to it.

1.2         To instruct Officers to bring a follow-up report in July 2025 assessing the impact of the charter.

Resolved

(1)          That the Oxfordshire Councils Charter be endorsed and it be agreed that Cherwell District Council become a signatory to it.

(2)          That Officers be instructed to bring a follow-up report in July 2025 assessing the impact of the charter.

The Assistant Director Law and Governance submitted a report to brief Executive on the Oxfordshire Councils Charter (‘Parish Charter’)

Resolved

(1)            That the Oxfordshire Councils Charter be endorsed and it be agreed that Cherwell District Council become a signatory to it.

(2)            That Officers be instructed to bring a follow-up report in July 2025 assessing the impact of the charter.

Reasons

Endorsement of the Charter will be an additional assurance to Cherwell parishes that CDC remains committed to communicating and working collaboratively with them.  It will encourage Cherwell parishes to become signatories and adopt the Charter principles. The Cherwell Parish Liaison Meeting is a demonstration of CDC’s commitment to the charter principles.

Alternative options

Option 1: Develop a CDC/Parishes charter as an alternative to the Oxfordshire Councils Charter.  This is not recommended because at the earliest stages of Charter development CDC was the prime mover in securing partnership involvement of the district and city councils on the Oxfordshire Charter.

Option 2: Propose substantial pre-launch changes to the content of the Oxfordshire Councils Charter.  This is not recommended because the Charter principles were  developed through an extensive consultation process.