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.

Former Councillor Makepeace

The Chairman reported the sad news that Former District Councillor Dick Makepeace had recently passed away. Councillor Makepeace had been a Cherwell councillor for 8 years between 1999 and 2007.

Council observed a period of silence in memory of former Councillor Makepeace.

Councillors Lawrie Stratford, Wood and Macnamara paid tribute to Dick Makepeace

Former Councillor George Parish

The Chairman paid tribute to former Councillor George Parish who had resigned as a District Councillor at the beginning of October. George had been elected in 1990 and served Banbury and the district for over 20 years. George was also Chairman of the Council from 2010-11. George would continue to serve Banbury as a Town Councillor.

Councillor Cartledge, Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Wood, Leader of the Conservative Group, and Councillor Emptage, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, paid tribute to former Councillor George Parish making particular reference to his work on the campaign to save the Horton Hospital.

Council agreed that the Chairman and Chief Executive should send a letter to former Councillor George Parish.

Register of Interest Forms

The Chairman reminded Councillors to complete and return the new register of interest forms as soon as possible.

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman advised Members that a list of engagements that he, or the Vice-Chairman, had attended since the July meeting of Council was included in the Council agenda pack for information.

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 16 July 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation form the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust about its proposal for becoming a Foundation Trust, the benefits this will bring and what it will mean for its governance.

Presentation by Dame Fiona Caldicott, Chairman of the Trust and Andrew Stevens Director of Planning and Information.

The Chairman welcomed Dame Fiona Caldicott, Chairman of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Andrew Stevens, Director of Planning and Information.

Dame Fiona Caldicott and Andrew Stevens gave a presentation about Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust proposal for becoming a Foundation Trust, the benefits this would bring and what it would mean for its governance.

Following the presentation, a number of Members asked questions and answers were duly provided.

The Chairman thanked the Dame Fiona Caldicott and Andrew Stevens.

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the Executive work Programme.

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

In introducing the minutes of Executive, the Leader advised Members that they had received a short briefing note from the Head of Law and Governance on the new Regulations that had required some changes to how local authority executive decisions were taken and public access to the decision-making process.

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, there had been no decisions 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:

Council Housing Stock: Councillor Cartledge

Changes to Council Tax Benefit Scheme: Councillor Rose

Dial-a-Ride: Councillor Dhesi

Possibility of Council Tax increase: Councillor Emptage

Development: Councillor Woodcock

HS2 Legal Challenge: Councillor Emptage

New Allocations Policy: Councillor Beere

Elected Member Appointments to Outside Bodies: Councillor Macnamara

Community Transport funding: Councillor Mallon

Bicester Masterplan and Local Plan: Councillor Sibley

Future School Provision in Bloxham: Councillor Cartledge

Investments in failed Icelandic banks: Councillor Hallchurch

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.

** Please note this report will follow as the meeting of the Standards Committee is on 10 October 2012 **

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which enabled Council to appoint statutory Independent Persons pursuant to Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011 upon the recommendation of the Standards Committee.

Resolved

(1)       That Dr Sadie Reynolds and  Thomas Edwards be appointed as statutory Independent Persons pursuant to Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011 with their terms of office expiring on 30June 2013 and the date of the Annual Meeting in May 2016 respectively

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2011/12.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)               Note the contents of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2011/12.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which presented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2011/12.

In introducing the report, Councillor Mallon (who had been Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during 2011/12) thanked and commended all scrutiny councillors for their hard work and contribution. The acceptance of scrutiny recommendations by the Executive demonstrated the important work undertaken by the scrutiny committees.

Resolved

(1)               That the contents of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2011/12 be noted.

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

To enable Council to consider and adopt a joint scheme of officer delegation with South Northamptonshire Council. This is subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms at its forthcoming meeting on 17 October 2012.

Recommendations

Council is recommended

(1)       Subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms on 17 October 2012, and with effect from the date and time thereof, to adopt the joint officer scheme of delegation at Appendix 1 to this report.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which enabled Council to consider and adopt a joint scheme of officer delegation with South Northamptonshire Council. This is subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms at its forthcoming meeting on 17 October 2012.

Resolved

(1)       That, subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms on 17 October 2012, and with effect from the date and time thereof, the joint officer scheme of delegation (annex to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be adopted.

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

This report presents information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy during 2011/12 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To note the contents of this report in line with the Treasury Management Strategy.

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which presented information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy during 2011/12 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Resolved

(1)               That the contents of this report in line with the Treasury Management Strategy be noted.