Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Executive Director Wellbeing

Purpose of report

Tonote thefindings of the District Sports Study ‘Playing Pitch Strategy’, a part of the commissioned 2018 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment. These findings will be used to create the Sports & Leisure Strategy for Cherwell which will be brought to Executive in early 2019. The study models sport facility needs in Cherwell up to 2031.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1         To note the findings from the District Sports Study Playing Pitch Strategy Executive Summary.

1.2          To support the production of a Council Sports & Leisure strategy and subsequent delivery plan, in response to the Sports Studies findings & recommendations.

Resolved

(1)          That the findings from the District Sports Study Playing Pitch Strategy Executive Summary (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(2)          That the production of a Council Sports and Leisure strategy and subsequent delivery plan, in response to the Sports Studies findings and recommendations be supported.

The Executive Director Wellbeing submitted a report tonote thefindings of the District Sports Study ‘Playing Pitch Strategy’, a part of the commissioned 2018 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment. These findings would be used to create the Sports & Leisure Strategy for Cherwell which would be brought to Executive in early 2019. The study models sport facility needs in Cherwell up to 2031.

Resolved

(1)           That the findings from the District Sports Study Playing Pitch Strategy Executive Summary (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(2)           That the production of a Council Sports and Leisure strategy and subsequent delivery plan, in response to the Sports Studies findings and recommendations be supported.

Reasons

Members are asked to note the information contained in TheDistrict Sports Study Playing Pitch Strategy as it willprovidean evidencebase for the full Sports & Leisure Strategy. Fromthis,producinga delivery approach forthedevelopmentoffurthersports facilities where needed and to ensuretheeffectiveprovisionofsport andleisure opportunitiesacross theDistrict. Our main aim is to ensure that anetworkof sportsfacilitiesis inplace tocaterforthehealth and wellbeing of thecurrent andfuturepopulation. 

Alternative options

Option 1: To reject the findings of the District Sports Study Playing Pitch Strategy, and to seek an alternative means of assessing current and future facility provision. This is not recommended, as it will be costly and will not meet Sport England assessment criteria, which is required for planning compliance and funding bids.

Report of Executive Director Wellbeing

Purpose of report

To agree a revised Housing Allocations Scheme for the allocation of affordable rented housing in Cherwell District

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1         To agree revisions to the Housing Allocations Scheme as set out in section 3.9.

1.2      To delegate authority to the Assistant Director Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to make any future amendments to the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

Resolved

(1)           That the revisions to the Housing Allocations Scheme as set out in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)           That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to make any future amendments to the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

The Executive Director Wellbeing submitted a report to agree a revised Housing Allocations Scheme for the allocation of affordable rented housing in Cherwell District.

In response to comments from the Leader of the Labour Group regarding the change in policy for people moving on from supported accommodation, the Lead Member for Housing confirmed that this would be kept under review and changes made accordingly if needed as was the case for the policy as a whole.

Resolved

(1)           That the revisions to the Housing Allocations Scheme as set out in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)           That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to make any future amendments to the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

Reasons

The changes would give greater clarity to applicants, greater coherence to the Scheme and make the processing of applications more efficient. The changes are relatively modest with the key principles of the Scheme remaining unchanged.

Alternative options

Option 1: Make no changes to the Scheme. This is rejected on the basis that over the last 3 years changes have been identified that would make the Scheme work better.

Option 2: Make selective changes to the Scheme but reject those changes that some consultees objected to. Specifically the banding for people in supported accommodation. However we believe band 2 is the appropriate banding in terms of consistency of approach with other homeless households while preserving band 1 for the most urgent cases. We will avoid disadvantaging people who are ready to move on through joint working with the supported accommodation providers and proper exit planning.

Report of Assistant Director – Economy and Regeneration

Purpose of report

To gain approval from the Executive, following the recent Ministerial Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Review (and co-incident with the formal separation between CDC and SNC), that Cherwell District Council (CDC) should leave the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and should only, from 1 April 2019, be part of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

 1.1        Note the contents of this report and key developments relating to the recent Ministerial LEP Review.

1.2         Approve leaving SEMLEP by 1 April 2019, hence removing the geographical overlap where CDC is a member of both SEMLEP and OxLEP.

1.3         Note that, to assist with the transitional process, the Leader of CDC will remain on the Board of SEMLEP in his capacity as Chair of the Cross Corridor (Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge) Leaders’ Group as observer after the April 2019 changes take place.

1.4         Note that CDC will continue as a full and active member (with board representation) of OxLEP.

Resolved

(1)           That the contents of the report and key developments relating to the recent Ministerial Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Review be noted.

(2)           That approval be given to Cherwell District Council (CDC) leaving South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) by 1 April 2019, hence removing the geographical overlap where CDC is a member of both SEMLEP and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

(3)           That it be noted that, to assist with the transitional process, the Leader of CDC will remain on the Board of SEMLEP in his capacity as Chair of the Cross Corridor (Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge) Leaders’ Group as observer after the April 2019 changes take place.

(4)           That it be noted that CDC will continue as a full and active member (with board representation) of OxLEP.

The Assistant Director – Economy and Regeneration submitted a report to gain approval from the Executive, following the recent Ministerial Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Review (and co-incident with the formal separation between CDC and SNC), that Cherwell District Council (CDC) should leave the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and should only, from 1 April 2019, be part of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

Resolved

(1)           That the contents of the report and key developments relating to the recent Ministerial Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Review be noted.

(2)           That approval be given to Cherwell District Council (CDC) leaving South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) by 1 April 2019, hence removing the geographical overlap where CDC is a member of both SEMLEP and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

(3)           That it be noted that, to assist with the transitional process, the Leader of CDC will remain on the Board of SEMLEP in his capacity as Chair of the Cross Corridor (Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge) Leaders’ Group as observer after the April 2019 changes take place.

(4)           That it be noted that CDC will continue as a full and active member (with board representation) of OxLEP.

Reasons

Over recent months, there has been a Ministerial Review of all 38 of the UK’s Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The Review called for a number of changes to LEPs, which included the: Removal of geographical overlaps; Consolidation of geographical focus, including consideration of LEP mergers; and, Improvement of diversity of board membership.

It is a good idea for CDC to withdraw for SEMLEP and focus upon their membership of OxLEP. The decision is a sad one but also aligns with the changing circumstances related to local government reorganisation.

There are a number of potential implications and risks associated with the move which appear to be manageable and it seems the benefits, especially to the local business community outweigh the risks.

Alternative options

Option 1: There is one alternative option identified and this is to stay as we are (with CDC remaining a member of both OxLEP and SEMLEP). This is rejected for two reasons: Firstly, the Ministerial Review was looking to eliminate geographical overlaps and there was an incidence of this with Cherwell. Secondly, due to local government reorganisation the joint working and formal link to Northamptonshire has been removed.

Report of Assistant Director – Economy and Regeneration

Purpose of report

To seek the Executives’ endorsement for the development of a 10 year district industrial strategy for Cherwell; the Cherwell Industrial Strategy (CIS).

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To endorse and support the process to prepare a ten year industrial strategy for Cherwell.

1.2         To agree the approach for Cherwell.

1.3         To note the programme and indicative timeline for delivery.

Resolved

(1)           That the process to prepare a ten year industrial strategy for Cherwell be supported and endorsed.

(2)           That the approach for Cherwell be agreed.

(3)           That the programme and indicative timeline for delivery be noted.

The Assistant Director – Economy and Regeneration submitted a report to seek the Executives’ endorsement for the development of a 10 year district industrial strategy for Cherwell; the Cherwell Industrial Strategy (CIS).

Resolved

(1)           That the process to prepare a ten year industrial strategy for Cherwell be supported and endorsed.

(2)           That the approach for Cherwell be agreed.

(3)           That the programme and indicative timeline for delivery be noted.

Reasons

This programme is ambitious and provides the opportunity to mobilise, motivate and inspire participants including internal teams, members throughout CDC and external partners. The methodology is proven.  The iterative and incremental approach to gaining internal and external buy-in has been shown to deliver successful strategies elsewhere. The process will ensure that the final strategies have the support of the various groups and partners. The time is right to prepare a ten year economic strategy for CDC as the current strategy has expired. The strategy will realise real benefits including enabling an organisation-wide approach to delivering economic growth. The strategy development process will ensure the interests and input of a wide range of organisations are represented enabling effective delivery. 

Alternative options

Option 1: Do nothing; this was rejected because the District’s current plan for the economy expired in 2016 and a replacement is overdue.

Option 2: Undertake producing a three year plan for the economy adopting traditional and prosaic methods. This was rejected because the time is right for an ambitious ten year strategy which aligns with the national Industrial Strategy and the work being undertaken by the LEPs and their LIS trailblazers. Furthermore, with the Growth Deal and the Ox-Cam corridor there is currently a mood of ambition and positivity which makes producing a much more progressive district industrial strategy the right thing to do for our times.

Option 3: Produce a joint economic strategy with South Northamptonshire.  This option was rejected on two grounds. The first is the imminent split with SNC through local government reorganisation and secondly because the economies are not sufficiently similar. It was, initially, proposed to pursue a “twin-track” approach where Cherwell and South Northants would develop concurrent strategies following the same, progressive, strategy development methodology. Things have moved on since then and the creation of a three way (South Northants, Daventry and Northampton) West Northamptonshire Industrial Strategy is currently being considered. This development creates a situation that puts Cherwell at the forefront of this process because the West Northamptonshire strategy will, unavoidably, now be some months behind.

Report of Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation and Assistant Director: Finance and Procurement

Purpose of report

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

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

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

Resolved

(1)           That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report be noted.

The Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation and Assistant Director: Finance and Procurement submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of each month.

Resolved

(1)           That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report be noted.

Reasons

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

This report provides an update on progress made so far in 2018-19 to deliver the Council’s priorities through reporting on Performance, the Leadership Risk Register and providing an update on the financial position.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2018-19 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 Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance

Purpose of report

To report the urgent action taken by the Executive Director: Finance and Governance in consultation with the Leader to approve the demolition of The Hill Community Centre, Banbury on 11 July 2018 and the decision to construct a new youth and community centre in its place, the award of the construction contract having been made on 25 September 2018.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To note the urgent action taken by the Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance to approve the demolition of The Hill Community Centre, Banbury and to construct a new youth and community centre in its place.

Resolved

(1)           That the urgent action taken by the Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance to approve the demolition of The Hill Community Centre, Banbury and to construct a new youth and community centre in its place be noted.

The Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance submitted a report to advise Executive of the urgent action taken by the Executive Director: Finance and Governance in consultation with the Leader to approve the demolition of The Hill Community Centre, Banbury on 11 July 2018 and the decision to construct a new youth and community centre in its place, the award of the construction contract having been made on 25 September 2018.

Resolved

(1)           That the urgent action taken by the Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance to approve the demolition of The Hill Community Centre, Banbury and to construct a new youth and community centre in its place be noted.

Reasons

This report confirms the urgent action taken by the Interim Executive Director Finance and Governance in consultation with the Leader to approve the demolition of The Hill Youth and Community Centre, Banbury on 11 July and the decision to construct a new youth and community centre in its place, the award of the construction contract having been made on 25 September 2018.

Alternative options

None as this is an information report for Executive to note.