Decisions

To consider the monthly performance, finance and risk monitoring report

Resolved

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

To consider the outcomes of the consultation on the council tax reduction scheme

Resolved

(1)            That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)            That Full Council be recommended to approve the option of a Council Tax Reduction income banded scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 and to amend the Council Tax Regulations for pensioners in line with uprating announced by MHCLG and to amend the Working Age Regulations in line with the new income banded scheme and the uprating announced by MHCLG. 

(3)            That Full Council be recommended to grant delegated authority to the Executive Director Finance (Interim) to make the required changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2020 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

(4)            That having given due consideration, the following proposed level of Council Tax discounts and premiums for 2020-2021 be recommended to Council :

·       Retain the discount for second homes at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 100% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years. 

To consider an agency agreement for Energy Performance Certificates

Resolved

(1)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out enforcement of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provisions under The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 be accepted.

(2)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out the enforcement of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in commercial property under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 be accepted.

(3)            That the Chief Operating Officer, acting in consultation with the Director Law and Governance and the Corporate Director Finance, be authorised to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).

(4)            That authority be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to perform the enforcement duties of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) set out in any such agreements referred to above.

To confirm the decision made by the Leader of the Council to appoint the Lead Member for Economy Regeneration and Property to serve as a Director representing Cherwell District Council (CDC) on the board of the newly incorporated Community Interest Company (CIC) Bicester Vision.  In addition, the report also determines the ongoing arrangements concerning the provision of grant funding to the Bicester Vision.

Resolved

(1)            That the Lead Member for Economy Regeneration and Property as a director to the newly established CIC, Bicester Vision, representing the interests of Cherwell District Council (CDC).

(2)            That it be noted that a senior officer (Assistant Director – Growth and Economy or equivalent or superior) will attend the Bicester Vision board meetings as an observer, and to provide support to the designated CDC board representative.

(3)            That it be agreed to formalise the ongoing arrangements for the provision of grant funding to Bicester Vision of £15,000.00 (fifteen thousand pounds) per annum over the next 3 years, the first payment to be made on [DATE] for the period [DATE] to [DATE].

(4)            That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Growth and Economy to negotiate and complete a grant agreement to govern the provision of such grant funding, in the form, or substantially the form, attached at Appendix A to this report, with Bicester Vision and to agree any minor variations to the terms of such grant agreement from time to time.

Resolved

(1)           That, subject to the addition of graphs in the Treasury Management Strategy statement showing the forecast of the debt and borrowing, the progress on the draft reports be noted.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the Q2 (September 2019) Treasury Management Report be noted.

Report deferred to later meeting

Resolved

(1)          That the verbal update be noted.

Resolved

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

(2)           That, having given due consideration, the Leadership Risk Register be noted and no issues be identified for further consideration.

Resolved

(1)           That, having given due consideration the Work Programme 2019/20 and 2020/21 be noted.