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.

There were no communications.

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 was no urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 1 November 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Sara Thornton and her supporting officers will be invited to address Council, following which Members will be able to ask questions.

The Chairman welcomed Sara Thornton, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and Cherwell Local Area Commander Superintendent Andy Boyd to the meeting.

Chief Constable Thornton addressed the meeting regarding policing in Thames Valley. A number of Members asked questions and answers were duly provided.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable and Superintendent Boyd.

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.

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, no items had been taken that were 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

There were no written questions.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Empty homes: Councillor Emptage

Implications of council tax collection over 12 months: Councillor Williamson               

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

There were no questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes of meetings.

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

There were no motions.

Report of Head of Law and Governance / Monitoring Officer

Summary

To seek approval of the extension of the term of office of Kenneth Hawtin, Independent Member of the Standards Committee.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To approve the continued appointment of Kenneth Hawtin as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee until the Council makes a decision on the future of the Standards Committee in light of the Localism Act 2011.

The Head of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report to seek approval of the extension of the term of office of Kenneth Hawtin, Independent Member of the Standards Committee. It was outlined that it was a requirement of the Cherwell constitution to have 4 independent members and in light of the imminent end of the standards regime an extension to the term of office was felt to be the most expedient option given these circumstances.

Resolved

(1)               That the continued appointment of Kenneth Hawtin as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee be approved until the Council makes a decision on the future of the Standards Committee in light of the Localism Act 2011.

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

To propose that the principle of a shared IS/IT service be adopted as part of the Cherwell District Council policy framework.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)       Adopt the principle of establishing a shared IS/IT service with South Northamptonshire Council as part of the Council’s policy framework.

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report to propose that the principle of a shared IS/IT service be adopted as part of the Cherwell District Council policy framework. It was outline that this procedural issue required approval of Council in order to enable the Executive to make a decision on the business case in due course.

Resolved

(1)       That the principle of establishing a shared IS/IT service with South Northamptonshire Council be included within the Council’s policy framework.