Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman having submitted apologies for the meeting, the Democratic and Elections Officer opened the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman for the meeting.

Resolved

(1)       That Councillor Sean Gaul be appointed Chairman for the meeting

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 July 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Deputy Leader, Councillor George Reynolds, will attend the meeting to give an overview of his areas of responsibility.

Resolved

(1)       That the overview be noted

The Chairman welcomed Councillor George Reynolds, Deputy Leader, to the meeting, to give an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the portfolio.

Councillor Reynolds explained that as Deputy Leader he deputised for the Leader, Councillor Wood, as and when required, keeping Councillor Wood informed of happenings across the Council. His portfolio covered parking, customer services and recreational facilities.

With regard to parking, Councillor Reynolds explained that it was only car parks owned by the Council that were maintained and had prices set by CDC. On-street parking was dealt with by the Police, not CDC.

Councillor Reynolds added that following the outsourcing of parking earlier in 2017, new equipment would soon be installed in the car parks, as agreed as part of the outsourcing plan.

In relation to customer services, Councillor Reynolds explained that the team was shared with South Northamptonshire Council so supported both authorities. The department was facing a rapidly increasing workload as they were taking on more responsibilities from other departments. In addition, events such as elections resulted in an increased rate of calls being received by the team. The overall call abandonment rate was at a similar level to previous years.

With regard to recreational facilities, Councillor Reynolds explained that this aspect of his portfolio covered Council owned facilities at Bicester and Kidlington, and Woodgreen and Spiceball leisure centres in Banbury. Management of the facilities was handled by Legacy Leisure on behalf of Parkwood, as part of an outsourcing agreement.

Councillor Reynolds advised the Committee that a sports study of the whole district would be undertaken in the coming months, to review facilities currently available and to find out what new facilities were required. This would then help to identify areas of possible expansion of facilities in the future.

In response to questions from the Committee, Councillor Reynolds agreed that there was an increased need for charging points for electric vehicles, particularly in light of recent government announcements relating to petrol vehicles.

The Committee thanked Councillor Reynolds for the overview.

Resolved

(1)       That the overview be noted

Lead Member for Planning, Councillor Colin Clarke, will attend the meeting to give an overview of his areas of responsibility.

Resolved

(1)       That the overview be noted

The Committee welcomed Councillor Barry Wood, Leader of the Council, to the meeting, to give an overview of the Planning portfolio, on behalf of Councillor Colin Clarke.

Councillor Wood explained that the portfolio covered planning policy and development control.

The planning policy aspect of the role included the Local Plan. Part 1 of the plan had taken 10 years to be adopted, due to various issues and changes to regulations. Consultation on the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan (Oxford’s Unmet Housing Needs) was currently underway. Part 2 of the plan which would contain non-strategic sit allocations and development management policies would be started shortly, and it was anticipated that there would be a lot of public interest in the process.

With regards to development control, Councillor Wood explained that the work of the planning department followed on from the planning policy framework, with the Planning Committee responsible for making some decisions.

Councillor Wood added that the planning team were currently going through a reorganisation as Members had agreed to establish a shared development management service with South Northamptonshire Council. 

The Committee thanked Councillor Wood for the overview.

Resolved

(1)       That the overview be noted

Report of Director – Strategy & Commissioning

Purpose of report

To provide an update on the Cherwell Business Plan progress to the end of Quarter One 2017/18.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Note the exceptions highlighted and proposed actions.

1.2         Review any performance related matters which the Overview and Scrutiny Committee have referred to Executive.

Resolved

(1)       That the exceptions highlighted and the proposed actions be noted

(2)       That no performance related matters be referred to Executive

(3)       That future performance reports be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in colour

The Committee considered a report from the Director – Strategy and Commissioning which detailed the Council’s performance during quarter 1 of the 2017-18 year.

With regard to future performance reports to the Committee, it was proposed by Councillor David Hughes and seconded by Councillor Sean Gaul that printed copies of the reports be provided in colour. 

Resolved

(1)       That the exceptions highlighted and the proposed actions be noted

(2)       That no performance related matters be referred to Executive

(3)       That future performance reports be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in colour

**Members are advised that whilst considering the public report and appendix, it may be necessary for the meeting to move into private session dependent on the comments and questions Members may have. Officers will advise at the meeting**

Report of Director of Operational Delivery

Purpose of report

To consider the most recent developments and decisions in relation to the Horton General Hospital (HGH) and the Council’s response to proposals for service change by the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG).

Recommendations

1.1    The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the recent developments with the Horton General Hospital and to indicate any matters it wishes the Executive to consider.

Resolved

(1)       That the update be noted

(2)       That Executive be recommended to proceed with action with all vigour

The Director of Operational Delivery presented a report which updated the Committee on the current position with regards to the Horton General Hospital.

The Director of Operation Delivery explained that after the decision had been made to downgrade maternity services and critical care services at the hospital, Cherwell District Council, South Northamptonshire Council, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council and Banbury Town Council had decided to request a Judicial Review of the decision.

The original request had been refused, and the four councils had decided to resubmit the request. A decision was expected imminently.

The Committee supported the actions taken by the four Councils so far, and it was proposed by Councillor Andrew McHugh and seconded by Councillor Mark Cherry that Executive be recommended to proceed with action with all vigour.

Resolved

(1)       That the update be noted

(2)       That Executive be recommended to proceed with action with all vigour

Report of Assistant Director – Transformational Governance

Purpose of report

To give an update on the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for 2017-2018

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         To review the draft work programme (Appendix 1).

1.2         To identify any items from the Executive Work Programme to form part of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2017/18

1.3         To identify any other possible future topics for scrutiny and consider whether these topics should have scoping documents produced, based on the considerations of risk and what value scrutiny can add through considering the issue.

Resolved

(1)       That the work programme be approved

(2)       That the Youth Engagement Review be put on hold until the next Municipal Year

The Committee considered the work programme for the 2017-18 Municipal Year.

With regard to antisocial behaviour, the Committee asked if relevant officers could ask the Police if they felt Cherwell District Council were doing all they could to deal with and/or prevent anti-social behaviour.

In connection with the Youth Engagement review, the Committee agreed to put the review on hold until the next Municipal Year, as progress had been difficult so far.

The Committee agreed to continue with the Mobile Signal review, and requested that officers arrange a meeting of the working group in due course.

Resolved

(1)       That the work programme be approved

(2)       That the Youth Engagement Review be put on hold until the next Municipal Year