Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman advised there were no petitions.

The Chairman advised that Councillor Wing, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, would address Executive on agenda item 7, Community Nature Plan 2020 – 2022 – A natural environment for people and wildlife, to report the feedback of the Committee which had considered the Community Nature Plan 2020 – 2022 at their 1 December 2020 meeting.

The Chairman further advised that he had agreed to a request from Councillor John Broad to address Executive on agenda item 7, Community Nature Plan 2020 – 2022 – A natural environment for people and wildlife, and agenda item 8, Annual Monitoring Report 2020 and Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2020 were agreed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman in due course.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Anita Bradley, to her first meeting of Executive and first meeting at Cherwell District Council as she had started her role that day. The Chairman explained that the role was a joint position with Oxfordshire County Council.

The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer thanked the Chairman and commented that she was looking forward to working with  Members.

Report of Director of Finance and Head of Insight and Corporate Programmes

Purpose of report

This report summarises the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of November 2020.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To note the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report.

Resolved

(1)           That the monthly performance, finance and risk monitoring report be noted.

The Director of Finance and Head of Insight and Corporate Programmes submitted a report which summarised the council’s performance, risk and finance monitoring position as at the end of November 2020.

Resolved

(1)           That the monthly performance, finance and risk monitoring report be noted.

Reasons

The Council is committed to performance, rick and budget management and reviews progress against its corporate priorities on a monthly basis.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2020-2021 business plan. As this is a monitoring report, no further options have been considered. However, Members may wish to request that officers provide additional information.

Report of Assistant Director - Wellbeing

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty. The report also highlights the resource implications of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and seeks recognition for the vital role of the Council’s key biodiversity partners in delivering the Plan.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To approve the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty.

1.2      To instruct officers to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

1.3      To recognise the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community Nature Plan.

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be approved.

(2)           That officers be instructed to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

(3)           That the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community     

           Nature Plan be recognised.

The Assistant Director – Wellbeing submitted a report to seek approval for the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty. The report also highlighted the resource implications of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and sought recognition for the vital role of the Council’s key biodiversity partners in delivering the Plan.

In presenting the report, the Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor McHugh, thanked the Community Nature Officer: Wellbeing for her hard work drafting the Plan and associated documents.

Councillor Wing, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed Executive to present the feedback of the Committee, which had considered the Plan at its 1 December 2020 meeting. Councillor Wing advised that the Committee had supported and endorsed the Plan and suggested that an All Member Seminar be held ahead of the next review and iteration of the Plan to ensure Member engagement in the process at an early stage. The Committee had also requested to receive an annual update on progress against the Action Plan.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Wing and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their feedback and commented that he supported earlier Member engagement in the process ahead of the next review of the Plan.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Broad addressed Executive.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Broad for his comments, and, in response, explained that recommendations acknowledged the need to consider resource implications. In terms of the role of partners to deliver the Plan, the Chairman undertook to work with partners to take forward the establishment of the Local Nature Partnership.

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020-2022 Community Nature Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and its approach to addressing the Council’s statutory biodiversity duty be approved.

(2)           That officers be instructed to investigate the resource implications of the provisions of the Environment Bill in terms of nature and biodiversity and develop recommendations.

(3)           That the essential role of key partners in the delivery of the Community     

           Nature Plan be recognised.

Reasons

Restoring and enhancing the natural environment and green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife is a crucial element of important development and economic decisions. Failure to recognise and assess the multiple benefits of the natural environment will affect community health and wellbeing, important habitats and species and future economic growth. This report presents an updated Community Nature Plan to demonstrate how the Council is addressing its statutory biodiversity duty; and seeks approval for recommendations that support plans, projects and partners that will assist the Council to protect and enhance the District’s natural environment and help to contribute to healthy outcomes for people and wildlife

Alternative options

Option 1: To reject the Community Nature Plan 2020-22 and the recommendations in the report.

This is not proposed as, without the Plan, the Council would not be able to clearly demonstrate that it is meeting its NERC Act biodiversity duty and complying with its obligations relating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

** Due to the size of the documents, the four appendices to this report will be published as a supplement to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) 2020, and to present the District’s current housing land supply position. 

To seek approval of accompanying updates to the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the Brownfield Land Register.

To seek approval of a review of policies in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1) in accordance with Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To approve for publication the 2020 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) presented at Appendix 1.

1.2          To note the district’s housing delivery and five-year housing land supply positions (for conventional housing and for Gypsies and Travellers) at Section 5 of the AMR and the need for updating of the land supply positions should these materially change.

1.3          To approve for publication the 2020 Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) update presented at Appendix 2.

1.4          To approve for publication the 2020 Brownfield Land Register (BLR) presented at Appendix 3.

1.5          To approve for publication the Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 at Appendix 4.

1.6          To authorise the Assistant Director for Planning and Development in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Annual Monitoring Report, Infrastructure Delivery Plan update, Brownfield Land Register and Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 if required prior to publication.

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(2)           That the district’s housing delivery and five-year housing land supply positions (for conventional housing and for Gypsies and Travellers) as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) and the need for updating of the land supply positions should these materially change be noted.

(3)           That  the 2020 Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(4)           That the 2020 Brownfield Land Register (BLR) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(5)           That the Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(6)           That the Assistant Director for Planning and Development in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Annual Monitoring Report, Infrastructure Delivery Plan update, Brownfield Land Register and Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 if required prior to publication.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Development submitted a report to seek approval of the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) 2020, and to present the District’s current housing land supply position. 

The report also sought approval of accompanying updates to the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the Brownfield Land Register.

To report further sought approval of a review of policies in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1) in accordance with Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Broad addressed Executive.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Broad for his comments. In response to Councillor Broad’s address, the Assistant Director Planning and Development gave an overview of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1) policy review process.

Resolved

(1)           That the 2020 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(2)           That the district’s housing delivery and five-year housing land supply positions (for conventional housing and for Gypsies and Travellers) as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) and the need for updating of the land supply positions should these materially change be noted.

(3)           That  the 2020 Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(4)           That the 2020 Brownfield Land Register (BLR) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(5)           That the Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication.

(6)           That the Assistant Director for Planning and Development in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Annual Monitoring Report, Infrastructure Delivery Plan update, Brownfield Land Register and Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan Policies 2020 if required prior to publication.

Reasons

The Annual Monitoring Report provides important information to measure the effectiveness of planning policies and to assist policy making and development management decision making. It is the statutory mechanism for monitoring housing delivery. Its most significant conclusion is that although the district is presently unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, the identified supply of 4.8 years is still well in excess of the 3 year ministerial flexibility. The AMR is accompanied by an updated 2020 Infrastructure Delivery Plan and a 2020 Brownfield Land Register which must be reviewed annually.

The Regulation 10A Review of Local Plan policies 2020 in Appendix 4 shows that the 2015 Local Plan does not require updating and continues to provide a sustainable strategy for growth in Cherwell to 2031. Nevertheless, the council has committed in its latest Local Development Scheme to a Cherwell Local Plan Review and to joint working on the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 in the interest of sustainably planning for future needs. Work on both plans is on-going.

Applications  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To provide the Council Tax Base for 2021-2022

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      That the report of the Director of Finance for the calculation of the Council’s Tax Base for 2021-2022 be agreed and:

(a)      That pursuant to the Director of Finance’s report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Cherwell District Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 shall be 55,615.9

(b)      As for the parishes which form part of its area shown in Appendix 1, the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 in respect of special items shall be as indicated in the column titled Tax Base 2021-2022.

(c)      As for the Flood Defence Areas which form part of its area, the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 for the purposes of levies on Oxfordshire County Council by River Authorities, shall be:

Resolved

(1)           That the report of the Director of Finance for the calculation of the Council’s Tax Base for 2021-2022 be agreed and:

(a)      That pursuant to the Director of Finance’s report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Cherwell District Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 shall be 55,615.9

(b)      As for the parishes which form part of its area shown in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book), the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 in respect of special items shall be as indicated in the column titled Tax Base 2021-2022.

(c)      As for the Flood Defence Areas which form part of its area, the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 for the purposes of levies on Oxfordshire County Council by River Authorities, shall be:

The Director of Finance submitted a report to provide the Council Tax Base for 2021-2022

Resolved

(1)           That the report of the Director of Finance for the calculation of the Council’s Tax Base for 2021-2022 be agreed and:

(a)      That pursuant to the Director of Finance’s report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Cherwell District Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 shall be 55,615.9

(b)      As for the parishes which form part of its area shown in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book), the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 in respect of special items shall be as indicated in the column titled Tax Base 2021-2022.

(c)      As for the Flood Defence Areas which form part of its area, the amount calculated as the Council Tax Base for the year 2021-2022 for the purposes of levies on Oxfordshire County Council by River Authorities, shall be:

Reasons

For the purposes of Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the Council is required to calculate the tax base (which will be used for tax setting purposes in February 2021) in respect of:

(a)        the whole of its area and;

(b)        for any parts of its area for the purposes of:

(i)             Apportioning precepts and levies and;

(ii)            Calculating the tax base for each area subject to a special item

Alternative options

None. The Council has to set a tax base in order to set its council tax for 2021-2022.

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To inform the Executive of decisions taken under urgency powers by the Chief Executive as part of the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To note the urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive.

Resolved

(1)           That the urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive be noted.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to inform the Executive of decisions she taken under urgency powers as part of the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Resolved

(1)           That the urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive be noted.

Reasons

In line with the Constitution this report is informing Executive of two decisions that were taken by the Chief Executive under urgency powers.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to note the report. This is not recommended as the urgent action has been taken and it is a constitutional requirement for it to be reported to Executive.