Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive communications from the Chairman and/or the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Melanie Magee to her first council meeting following her recent election at the Bicester North By-election in September.

The Chairman reported that he had received the sad news that Councillro Diana Dallyn, Vice-Chairman of South Northamptonshire Council had passed away. Council joined the Chairman in sending condolences to her family and colleagues at South Northamptonshire Council.

The Chairman also advised members that the Chief Constable would be attending the next meeting of Council on 8 December to make a presentation and answer any questions.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 29 September 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the Forward Plan

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Lead Member Decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting no decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the Forward Plan.

b)         Minutes of Committees

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of committees as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received.

(N.B. There are no exempt minutes)

a)                 Minutes of the Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive and Lead Member decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council, one Executive decision had been taken that was subject to the special urgency provisions of the Constitution.

b)                 Minutes of Committees

Resolved

That the minutes of Committees as set out in the Minute Book be received.

a)         Written Questions

            To receive any written questions and answers which have been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the constitution. A written response to the question will be circulated at the meeting.

b)         Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chairman to invite questions to the Leader of the Council (including any matters arising from the minutes).

Following a response to their question being provided members will be entitled to a follow up or supplementary question.

c)         Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

The Chairman to invite questions to Chairmen of Committees on any matter arising from the minutes of their committee (if any).

a) Written Questions

A written question was submitted by Councillor Beere regarding the number of residents claiming housing benefit within the district compared with 12 months ago. A written answer was provided that confirmed claims had increased by 2.8%. By way of a supplementary question Councillor Beere asked whether it would be possible for a list of social housing rent arrears to be published. In reply Councillor Wood stated that he was not sure if the Council had this information and would ask officers to let Council Beere know if this would be possible.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received in the following issues:

Waste Recycling Centre: Councillor Emptage

Discount on unoccupied properties: Councillor Williamson

Return of Icelandic investments: Councillor Lawrie Stratford

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

There were no questions to the Committee Chairman on minutes.

To debate any motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the constitution.

There were no motions.

Report of Chief Executive

Summary

To consider the proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Review and agree the council’s submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the Oxfordshire County Boundary Review.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)               Consider and endorse the response on the Parliamentary Boundary Review which proposes the transfer of the Ambrosden & Chesterton and Launton wards of Cherwell District to the Henley constituency.

(2)               Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the member working group, to finalise the Council’s submission to the Boundary Commission for England.

(3)               Agree that the member working group continues to meet as required to consider issues emerging from the on-going County and Parliamentary boundary reviews.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which sought consideration of the proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Review and agreement of the council’s submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the Oxfordshire County Boundary Review.

Resolved

(1)               That the response on the Parliamentary Boundary Review which proposes the transfer of the Ambrosden & Chesterton and Launton wards of Cherwell District to the Henley constituency be endorsed.

(2)               That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the member working group, be delegated authority to finalise the Council’s submission to the Boundary Commission for England.

(3)               That the member working group be requested to continue to meet as required to consider issues emerging from the on-going County and Parliamentary boundary reviews.

Report of Chief Executive

Summary

To gain agreement to the amended constitution of Committees for Municipal Year 2011/12 and to advise Council of political group nominations following the results of the Bicester North By-election.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)               Agree that the allocation of the seats on the Committees that are subject to the political balance requirements be agreed as set out in Table 1 below following the results of the Bicester North by-election.

(2)               Appoint Members to serve on each of the Committees set out in Table 2 of the report in accordance with the nominations made by the Political Groups.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which sought agreement to the amended constitution of Committees for Municipal Year 2011/12 and advised Council of political group nominations following the results of the Bicester North By-election.

Resolved

(1)               That the allocation of the seats on the Committees that are subject to the political balance requirements be agreed as set out in the table below following the results of the Bicester North by-election.

Allocation of Seats to Proportional Committee

(Liberal Democrat seat to Conservative Group on Appeals Panel,  agreed May 2011)

Allocation of Seats to Non Proportional Committees

(2)               Appoint Members to serve on each of the Committees set out in Table 2 below in accordance with the nominations made by the Political Groups.

(3)                

Report of Kevin Lane, Head of Service

Summary

To enable Members to decide whether to delegate authority to the Executive to consider requests from Parish Councils to delegate to them the power to establish Local Nature Reserves

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To delegate to the Executive Lead Member the authority to consider requests from Parish Councils to delegate to them the power to establish local nature reserves.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report to enable Members to decide whether to delegate authority to the Executive to consider requests from Parish Councils to delegate to them the power to establish Local Nature Reserves

Resolved

(1)               That the Executive Lead Member be given delegated authority to consider requests from Parish Councils to delegate to them the power to establish local nature reserves.