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.

There was no urgent business.

** To follow **

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2010, were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record with the amendment that the declarations listed should relate to agenda item 10 Eco-Town Arrangements – Local Authority Funding Arrangements.

Report of Leader of the Council

Summary

To agree to establish a Joint Member Working Party to examine the business case for sharing senior management structures between Cherwell District Council (CDC) and South Northamptonshire Council (SNC), recognising that this may well lead to joint teams for service delivery in the future.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)   To establish a Joint Member Working Party to examine the business case to   create a shared senior management structure between Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council with a view to reporting its findings to the Executive and then to full Council on 18 October 2010.

(2)    To approve the Terms of Reference for this Joint Member Working Party (attached as Appendix 1).

(3)    To nominate Cllrs Wood, Reynolds, Macnamara, Atack and Cotter to the Joint Member Working Party with Councillors Turner and Williamson as substitutes.

Recommendations approved, with the additional recommendation that a special meeting of Council be arranged for Wednesday 3 November 2010.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report to agree to establish a Joint Member Working Party to examine the business case for sharing senior management structures between Cherwell District Council (CDC) and South Northamptonshire Council (SNC), recognising that this may well lead to joint teams for service delivery in the future.

Resolved

(1)  That a Joint Member Working Party be established to examine the business case to create a shared senior management structure between Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council with a view to reporting its findings to the Executive and then to a special meeting of full Council on 3 November 2010.

(2)  That the Terms of Reference for this Joint Member Working Party (attached as Annex 1 to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be approved.

(3)  That Councillors Wood, Reynolds, Macnamara, Atack and Cotter be nominated to the Joint Member Working Party with Councillors Turner and Williamson as substitutes.

Reasons

Both CDC and SNC face significant medium term financial deficits, as well as short term financial challenges.  These need to be addressed, but at the same time, both Councils want to protect valued front-line services for as long as possible. They also want to retain the capacity to serve their respective Districts over and above the normal work of District Councils, as both already do. Many District Councils have already put in place arrangements to share management teams, and have then moved on to consider sharing specific services and/or procuring jointly from others while remaining separate and sovereign organisations and securing savings.

Options

Report of Head of Regeneration and Estates

Summary

To confirm the Council’s approval for the release of the capital funds for the feasibility work on proposed changes to Kidlington’s High Street via an improved Traffic Regulation Order.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)  To approve a supplementary capital bid of £25,000 to finance the feasibility work on proposed changes to Kidlington’s High Street via an improved Traffic Regulation Order.

Recommendations approved

The Head of Regeneration and Estates submitted a report o confirm the Council’s approval for the release of the capital funds for the feasibility work on proposed changes to Kidlington’s High Street via an improved Traffic Regulation Order.

Resolved

(1)  That a supplementary capital bid of £25,000 to finance the feasibility work on proposed changes to Kidlington’s High Street via an improved Traffic Regulation Order be approved.

Reasons

The Kidlington Pedestrianisation capital bid (value £25,000) was referred to scrutiny for further consideration by Council in February 2010. The bid was rejected as part of the 2010/11 budget process due to the overall financial constraints facing the Council. However the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Communication had indicated that a supplementary estimate could be made if the scrutiny review considers that it is justified.  The review was considered on the 22 June 2010 and recommended approval to the Executive.

Options