Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

The Chairman advised the Executive that he had agreed to admit an urgent item to the agenda relating to the progress of the pay and grading structure. The item was considered urgent as any implications arising from the report needed to be dealt with before the next payroll deadline of 10 March 2010 and council not be delayed to the next meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2010.

Agreed

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2010 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Housing Services

Summary

To seek adoption of the council’s Private Sector Housing Strategy and endorsement of the associated action plan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)               Adopt the Private Sector Housing Strategy.

(2)               Endorse the Strategy’s action plan.

Agreed

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report which sought the adoption of the Private Sector Housing Strategy and endorsement of the associated Action Plan.

Resolved

1)                 That the Private Sector Housing Strategy is adopted.

2)                 That the Private Sector Housing Strategy action plan is endorsed.

Reasons - This strategy is an essential part of the District’s response to the needs of our residents for suitable accommodation. It will play an important role in delivering the council’s corporate objectives.

Options

Report of Head of Environmental Services

Summary

This report considers the progress of the Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate and the overall progress of the Council in responding to climate change issues.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To note the current progress relating to the Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate and the performance relating to the four climate change national indicators.

(2)               To approve the revised Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate Change delivery plan and the continuing priority attached to it.

(3)               To support reducing carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency of corporate buildings and also reducing other sources of Council emissions by gaining support from the Carbon Trust Local Authority Carbon Management programme.

Agreed

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report which considered the progress of the Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate and the overall progress of the Council in responding to climate change issues.

Resolved

1)                 That the current progress relating to the Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate and the performance relating to the four climate change national indicators is noted.

2)                 That the revised Environmental Strategy for a Changing Climate Change delivery plan and the continuing priority attached to it is approved.

3)                 That the reducing carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency of corporate buildings and also reducing other sources of Council emissions by gaining support from the Carbon Trust Local Authority Carbon Management programme is supported.

Reasons - The key issue is one of considering the revised delivery plan which takes into account local priorities as measured by national indicators. Account should be taken of the good work and improved performance already achieved but despite this, there will be continued pressure to maintain a positive direction of travel specifically with ongoing CO2 emission reductions.

Options

Report of Chief Executive and Corporate Strategy and Performance Manager

Summary

To provide an overview of achievements relating to our equalities work in 2009/2010 and outline the work programme for 2010/2011.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)               Agree the Corporate Equality Action Plan for 2009-2012 (Annex C)

(2)               Agree the proposals to seek equality accreditation from the Improvement and Department Agency (IDeA) in November 2010.

(3)               Agree the refreshed equalities scheme and the three year equality impact assessment programme (Annexes A and B)

(4)               Note the equality achievements made during 2009/2010.

Agreed

The Chief Executive and Corporate Strategy and Performance Manager submitted a report which provided an overview of the achievements relating to the Council’s equalities work in 2009/10 and outlined the work programme for 2010/11.

Resolved

1)                 That the Corporate Equality Action Plan for 2009-2012 is agreed

2)                 That the proposals to seek equality accreditation from the Improvement and Department Agency (IDeA) in November 2010 are agreed

3)                 That the refreshed equalities scheme and the three year equality impact assessment programme is agreed

4)                  That the equality achievements made during 2009/2010 are noted.

Reason - This report provides and overview of our equalities performance and our work programme for the future. It considers the impact of the new Equality Framework for Local Government and, as requested by Executive in April 2009, it proposes a timeframe for the inspection. This report also provides and overview of new equalities duties that are coming into effect and how Cherwell District Council is responding to these duties and reflecting them in our long term objectives.

Report of Chief Executive and Head of Improvement

Summary

This report presents the proposed 2010/11 Corporate Improvement Plan. 

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)               Agree the 2010/11 Corporate Improvement Plan and associated 2010/11 Value for Money Review Programme

Agreed

The Chief Executive and Head of Improvement submitted a report which presented the proposed Corporate Improvement Plan for 2010/11.

Resolved

That the Corporate Improvement Pan for 2010/11 and associated Value for Money Review Programme for 2010/11 is agreed.

Reasons - The purpose of the report is to agree the 2010/11 Corporate Improvement Plan and the associated Value for Money Programme. 

Options

At the conclusion of the item the Leader thanked Mike Carroll, Jo Smith, Phil O’Dell and Alexa Coates who would all be leaving the Council, for their hard work and efforts.

All Officers other than members of Corporate Management Team left the meeting.

Resolved

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Chief Executive and Head of Human Resources

Agreed

The Chief Executive updated the Executive on the timetable and progress to date in implementing the new pay and grading structure by 1 April 2010.

In light of the fast-approaching deadline the Executive considered the range of options available to the Council in case national sign off had not been achieved by 1 April 2010 and provided their views on these options.

Resolved

That the range of options as set out in the exempt report be noted and that the Chief Executive as Head of Paid Service be authorised to take action as required from the range of options in light of the view of the Executive and that any future action be formally delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.