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.

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 confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 March were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a briefing on National Benefit Changes by the Head of Finance and Procurement.

This item was retained on the work programme following initial consideration by the Committee in September, 2012.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Ken Atack (Lead Member for Financial Management), the Head of Finance and Procurement, and the Service Assurance Technical Specialist – Housing Benefits, to the meeting.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Finance and Procurement, and the Service Assurance Technical Specialist – Housing Benefits, on the latest position on changes to the national welfare system; how the changes were being implemented in Cherwell, and how the Council was supporting customers through the changes.

Size Criteria for Social Housing.

Introduced from April 2013 for working age households (not applicable to pensioners), the size criteria (sometimes referred to as the ‘Bedroom Tax’) reduced the level of benefit payable by 14% if one bedroom was under occupied, and by 25% if two or more bedrooms were under occupied. With some 908 households affected across the district, the Council had proactively contacted all current claimants, and advised them of the changes. Work was also being done with social landlords to assist with ways of helping tenants (i.e. identifying under / over occupation, and facilitating swaps – approximately 100 already progressed).

The Committee noted the distribution of affected properties across the district on a Ward-by-Ward basis and, whilst welcoming the number of swaps already achieved, acknowledged that there could be a squeeze on the number of smaller housing units, and many claimants might seek support by way of a Discretionary Housing Payment.

Replacement of Council Tax Benefit

Introduced from April 2013 to replace Council Tax Benefit, Council Tax Reduction would affect some 8,100 claimants. A countywide scheme had been introduced for Oxfordshire for 2013/14 and, through the use of transitional grant and changes to discounts and exemptions, all claimants would be supported during 2013/13 at the same level of assistance as they would have received under the former Council Tax Benefit scheme, despite an overall funding cut of 10%. However, with no further transitional grant, a decision on the 2014/15 scheme would have to be made by January 2014.

One impact of the changes could be a reduction in the Council Tax Base, with implications for both the District Council, and Town/Parish Councils. District Councils were restricted as to the level of Council Tax increase that could be applied in any one year, but no such restrictions currently applied to Town/Parish Councils. Should this change in the future, Town/Parish Councils would come under increasing pressure to achieve savings through joint working arrangements and shared procurement.

Localisation of Social Fund

Previously administered by the Department of Work and Pensions, responsibility had transferred to Oxfordshire County Council in April 2013. Providing emergency financial help, the ‘Oxfordshire Support Fund’ was administered by Auriga Services. Unfortunately, one early issue was already apparent in that Auriga did not operate a 24 hour service. The situation was therefore being monitored and, although not a District Council responsibility, measures had nevertheless been introduced to assist customers.

Personal Independence Payments

Replacing Disability Living Allowance for working age claimants from June 2013, there were some 3500 claimants in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To receive a briefing on the monitoring of air quality across the District by the Environmental Protection Officer.

This item was retained on the work programme following initial consideration by the Committee in October, 2012

The Chairman advised Members, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Environmental Protection Officer was unable to attend the meeting. The item would therefore be deferred to the next meeting.

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny work programme 2012/13 for consideration.

Recommendations

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is recommended:

(1)               To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme 2012/13 as set out at Appendix 1 of the attached report.

(2)               To note any items of interest in the Executive Work programme and consider whether to include them on the work programme 2012/13.

(3)               To consider if there are any other items Members would like to include on the work programme.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance which presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2012/13.

Executive Work Programme

The Committee agreed that there were no items on the Executive Work Programme for May to August 2013 that they wished to include on their Work Programme in 2012/13.

Potential Work Programme Items

 RAF Bicester

Noting from the report that a meeting was to take place on 30 April, the Committee agreed that an update report should be made to the next meeting.

Commissioning Services to Banbury CAB/Community Transport and

Dial-a-Ride

It was noted that an update on both these items should come to the July meeting.

Cherwell District Planning Policy re Wind Turbines and their Locations – Update

It was agreed that this item be added to the Work Programme.

Council Employment Initiatives across the District – Effectiveness.

It was agreed that this item be added to the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)               That, subject to the items discussed above, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme 2012/13 be noted.

(2)               That no items in the current version of the Forward Plan (May to August, 2013) be included on the Work programme for 2012/13.