Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 September 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Director of Community and Environment

Purpose of report

To present to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee a contextual document to assist the Committee in how best to consider this wide ranging and important subject.   

Recommendations

The Committee is recommended:

 1.1        To note the report and the current level of activity; and

1.2         To receive a further safeguarding report following the completion of the internal review process. 

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That a draft action plan report be submitted to the Committee in January 2016

The Lead Member for Public Protection and the Shared Interim Community Partnerships and Recreation Manager presented the report of the Director of Community and Environment which explained the context of Safeguarding, the wide range of elements it covered and the important role the Council had in protecting residents.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Public Protection explained that an internal review was about to be concluded at both South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and Cherwell District Council (CDC), which had been commissioned to identify any areas for improvement in order to manage safeguarding responsibilities at both Councils. The suggestion of officers was that the response to the internal review report be submitted to Overview and Scrutiny, in order to ensure that the Committee had an opportunity to be more involved.

The Shared Interim Community Partnerships and Recreation Manager added that due to the nature of their work, the Housing team were a key department in terms of safeguarding, and the two teams worked together to where necessary to ensure work wasn’t being duplicated.

The Committee agreed that safeguarding was an issue which needed to be taken seriously and an important issue that Overview and Scrutiny should be involved in. It was agreed that the draft action plan report, due to be drafted in response to the internal review report, should be submitted to the Committee in January 2016.

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That a draft action plan report be submitted to the Committee in January 2016

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

Purpose of report

To review and consider any disconnect between planning policy and Cherwell’s Allocations Scheme

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To note the contents of the report

1.2         To note further changes to Cherwell’s Allocations Scheme adopted following the decision of Cherwell Executive on 1 June 2015.

Resolved

(1)       To note the report

(2)       To note the changes to Cherwell’s Allocations Scheme adopted following the decision of Cherwell Executive on 1 June 2015

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which addressed any possible disconnect between planning policy and the allocation of rural affordable housing. The issue had been referred to the Committee by the Executive when they had considered and approved the Allocations Scheme at their June 2015 meeting.  

The Head of Regeneration and Housing explained that due to the length of time between housing need being identified and development being planned and built, there was a perceived disconnect in the system, however that was something which could be improved by changes in the planning process.

The Housing Needs Manager explained that the team had been working closely with Parish Councils following a recent change to the Allocations Policy, which had introduced a ‘reserve’ list. The new list meant that people who were not eligible for the statutory housing list still had the ability to apply for housing in certain areas, once the statutory list had been exhausted. The first draft of the rural housing pack had just been completed, and the Housing Needs Manager circulated copies to the Committee.    

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted.

(2)       That the changes to Cherwell’s Allocations Scheme adopted following the decision of Cherwell Executive on 1 June 2015 be noted.

Report of the Head of Law and Governance

Purpose of report

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme 2015/16 for consideration. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2015/16 as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

1.2         To reschedule items relating to review of local plan process and Wind Turbines and their locations, and the application of the fracturing mining technique

1.3         To appoint a representative to the Graven Hill Partnering Board, as requested by Executive

1.4         To note any items of interest in the Executive Work Programme and consider whether to include them on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2015/16.

1.5         To consider if there are any other items Members would like to include on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)       That the work programme be noted

(2)       That items relating to the review of the local plan process and Wind turbines and their locations, and the application of the fracturing mining technique be rescheduled for February 2016

(3)       That authority be delegated to the Head of Law and Governance, following consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, to appoint a representative to the Graven Hill Partnering Board

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Law and Governance which detailed the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for the coming year.

With regard to the trip to Westminster on 4 November, Democratic and Elections officers reminded Members that a response was needed as soon as possible in order to confirm transport arrangements.

In connection with the appointment of a member of the Committee to the Graven Hill Partnering Board, it was proposed that authority be delegated to the Head of Law and Governance to make the appointment, following consultation with the Chairman.

In response to questions raised by the Committee, officers advised that the role of the Graven Hill Partnering Board was to monitor progress against the business plan and in turn submit updates to the Executive on project progress and to escalate areas that require Council approval.  

Resolved

(1)       That the work programme be noted

(2)       That items relating to the review of the local plan process and Wind turbines and their locations, and the application of the fracturing mining technique be rescheduled for February 2016

(3)       That authority be delegated to the Head of Law and Governance, following consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, to appoint a representative to the Graven Hill Partnering Board