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.

Councillor Woodcock

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Woodcock to his first Council meeting as Labour Group Leader.

Engagements

The Chairman reported that a list of engagements he had attended had been included in the agenda.

Register of Interest Forms

The Chairman reported that there were still a small number of councillors who had not yet returned their new register of interest forms and requested that they be completed and returned as soon as possible.

Chairman’s Informal Dinner

The Chairman advised Members that his informal dinner would take place on Friday 13 April at Broughton Castle. Further details would follow in due course.

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 21 January 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2013 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

Change attendance for Councillor Hallchurch from “Present as expected” to “apologies for absence”

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the 28 day notice

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 28 day notice.

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 Executive decisions 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:

“Bedroom tax”: Councillor Woodcock

Banbury War Memorial Trust: Councillor Mallon

New Homes Bonus: Councillor Emptage

Living wage: Councillor Woodcock

Support to vulnerable residents affected by benefits changes: Councillor Dhesi

Cherwell District Council employees and payroll: Councillor Rose

Kidlington Masterplan: Councillor Emptage

Gritting of Cherwell District Council car parks: Councillor Dhesi           

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

Summary

To determine the levels of the allowances to be paid to Members for the forthcoming 2013/2014 financial year following the submission of the report of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

Recommendations

That Council is recommended to:

(1)               Consider the levels of allowances to be included in the 2013/14 Members’ Allowances Scheme, and whether the Panel’s recommendations should be adopted or modified in any way.

(2)               Authorise the Head of Law and Governance to prepare an amended Members’ Allowances Scheme, in accordance with the decisions of the Council for implementation with effect from 1 April 2013.

(3)               Authorise the Head of Law and Governance to take all necessary action to revoke the current (2012/13) Scheme and to publicise the revised Scheme pursuant to The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended).

(4)       Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its report and set a fee of £300 for Panel Members for the work carried out in 2012/13 and propose the same level of fee for 2013/14.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which sought consideration and determination of the levels of the allowances to be paid to Members for the forthcoming 2013/2014 financial year following the submission of the report of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

Resolved

(1)               That the levels of allowances to be included in the 2013/14 Members’ Allowances Scheme be agreed as set out in the annex to the minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)               That the Head of Law and Governance be authorised to prepare an amended Members’ Allowances Scheme, in accordance with the decisions of the Council for implementation with effect from 1 April 2013.

(3)               That the Head of Law and Governance be authorised to take all necessary action to revoke the current (2012/13) Scheme and to publicise the revised Scheme pursuant to The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended).

(4)       That the Independent Remuneration Panel be thanked for its report and a fee of £300 be paid to Panel Members for the work carried out in 2012/13 and the same level of fee for 2013/14 be agreed.

Report of Chief Finance Officer and Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

To review the Council’s General Fund Budget, Capital Programme, Earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balances to ensure the robustness of the estimates included and to seek formal adoption of all parts of the Council’s financial plans and Corporate Plan for the 2013/14 budget year.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To consider the contents of this report in approving the General Fund Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2013/14 and to formally record that consideration.

(2)               To approve the 2013/14 General Fund Budget and Capital Programme proposed by the Executive on 4 February 2013 and detailed in Appendix 1 and 3.

(3)               To approve the Collection Fund Estimates contained in Appendix 2

(4)               To approve the Corporate Plan as detailed in Appendix 4 of the Budget Book.

(5)               To approve the Treasury Strategy as detailed in Appendix 5.

(6)               To approve the appended statement of pay policy for 2013/14 as required by the Act and detailed in Appendix 6.

The Chairman outlined that it was customary during the budget debate to suspend standing orders with regard to the duration of speeches by proposers of motions and amendments, also the order of dealing with and speaking on amendments. It was also agreed that the Estimates would be taken as one integrated set of financial figures and that the revenue and capital estimates, the Collection Fund Estimates 2013/2014 and the Corporate Plan and the Service Plans would not be debated separately.

Members signified agreement that  speeches made by Group Leaders or any Member proposing the Budget, an alternative Budget, any amendments or commenting on the Budget would not be time limited.

The Chief Finance Officer (Director of Resources) and Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report to review the Council’s General Fund Budget, Capital Programme, Earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balances to ensure the robustness of the estimates included and sought formal adoption of all parts of the Council’s financial plans and Corporate Plan for the 2013/14 budget year.

The Lead Member for Financial Management, Councillor Atack, introduced the report and set out the proposed budget for the year. In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Financial Management proposed an amendment to the recommendations in relation to the 2013/14 Pay Policy which would  ensure that all staff received a living wage.

The Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group responded to the budget. The budget was debated at length by Members, during which no amendments were moved.

Resolved

(1)               That the contents of the report in approving the General Fund Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2013/14 be noted.

(2)               That the 2013/14 General Fund Budget and Capital Programme proposed by the Executive on 4 February 2013 contained in the annexes to the minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)               That the Collection Fund Estimates (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)               That the Corporate Plan (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(5)               That the Treasury Strategy, including the prudential indicators, annex to the minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(6)               That the statement of pay policy for 2013/14 as required by the Act, subject to the inclusion of additional payments to ensure all staff receive a living wage, annex to the minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved and that authority be delegated to the Head of Transformation to implement the living wage for all staff.

The Council to adjourn, if necessary to allow the Executive to meet to consider any proposals which do not accord with the Executive’s recommendations.

As there had been no amendments made to the budget as recommended by Cabinet, it was confirmed there was no need for Council to adjourn.

Report of Chief Finance Officer and Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

To detail the Calculations for the amounts of Council Tax for 2013/14 and the setting of Council Tax for 2013/2014.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Council resolves:-

(1)               That it be noted that at its meeting held on 21 January 2013 the Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2013/14:

a)                 for the whole Council area as 46,672 [item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

b)                 For dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates as in the attached Appendix 1.

(2)               That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2013/14 (excluding Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) is £123.50.

(3)               That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2013/14 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:-

a)                 £75,864.756 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act, taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils and any additional special expenses.

b)                 £66,311,611 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act.

c)                 £9,553,145 being the amount by which the aggregate at 8(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 8(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).

d)                 £204.69 being the amount at 8(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (6(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts and Special Expenses);

e)                 £3,789,153 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act as per the attached Schedule 2.

f)                    £123.50 being the amount at 8(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 8(e) above by Item T(6(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish Precept or special item relates;

(4)       It be noted that for the year 2013/14 the Oxfordshire County Council and  the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley have issued precepts to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated below :-

(5)       The Council, in accordance with  ...  view the full agenda text for item 76.

The Chief Finance Officer (Director of Resources) and Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which detailed the calculations for the amounts of Council Tax for 2013/14 and the setting of Council Tax for 2013/2014.

Resolved

(1)               That it be noted that at its meeting held on 21 January 2013 the Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2013/14:

a)                 for the whole Council area as 46,672 [item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

b)                 For dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates as in Appendix 1 (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)               That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2013/14 (excluding Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) be £123.50.

(3)               That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2013/14 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:-

a)                 £75,864.756 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act, taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils and any additional special expenses.

b)                 £66,311,611 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act.

c)                 £9,553,145 being the amount by which the aggregate at 8(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 8(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).

d)                 £204.69 being the amount at 8(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (6(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts and Special Expenses);

e)                 £3,789,153 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act as per the attached Schedule 2.

f)                    £123.50 being the amount at 8(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 8(e) above by Item T(6(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish Precept or special item relates;

(4)       That it be noted that for the year 2013/14 the Oxfordshire County Council and  the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley have issued precepts to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated below :-

Report of Chief Executive

Summary

To update Members on progress of the Community Governance Review, and to agree proposals to consult upon. 

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)       To agree that the principles as set out in appendix 1 should be consulted upon.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which updated Members on progress of the Community Governance Review and sought agreement of the  proposals to consult upon. 

Resolved

(1)       That the principles as set out in appendix 1 (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book), subject to the amendment to the recommendation from Bicester Town Council to include South West Bicester, be consulted upon.

Report of Chief Executive

Summary

The joint working business case referred to a review of joint working after twelve months. The Joint Management team was formed on 1 October 2011 and was followed by other shared services being established in a programme that is on-going. This report reviews the original targets and milestones against actual performance. It also sets out some of the ‘softer’ issues that have arisen as a consequence of joint working and shared services.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)               Note the review of performance for the first twelve months of joint working

(2)               Note the progress being made through the Joint Arrangements Steering Group on future joint working initiatives

The Chief Executive submitted a report which provided a twelve month review of joint working arrangements.

In introducing the report, the Leader of the Council explained that the joint working business case referred to a review of joint working after twelve months. The Joint Management team was formed on 1 October 2011 and was followed by other shared services being established in a programme that was on-going. The report reviewed the original targets and milestones against actual performance and also set out some of the ‘softer’ issues that had arisen as a consequence of joint working and shared services.

Resolved

(1)               That the review of performance for the first twelve months of joint working be noted.

(2)               That the progress being made through the Joint Arrangements Steering Group on future joint working initiatives be noted.