Decisions

To consider a financial monitoring report

Reason for urgency: Decision non-key

Resolved

(1)      That the forecast overspend being reported against Cherwell District Council’s budget for 2020/21 relating to the financial impact of Covid-19 be noted.

(2)      That officers be asked to identify plans to address the potential overspend in 2020/21 arising from Covid-19 and report back to the next meeting with recommendations for action.

To approve revised Terms of Reference for the Oxfordshire Growth Board, including a copy of the updated Memorandum of Understanding between the Growth Board and Oxfordshire County Council

Resolved

(1)      That the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)      That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents, the scale and nature of which does not result in terms that are substantially different from those approved in this report, which support the operational efficiency of the Growth Board’s work.

To consider the Examiner’s report

Resolved

(1)           That all the Examiner’s recommendations and modifications (Annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved to enable the Plan, incorporating the recommended modifications (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) to proceed to a referendum.

(2)           That the issue of a ‘decision statement’ confirming the Executive’s decision including that the Plan will now proceed to a referendum be authorised.

(3)           That the Assistant Director – Planning and Development be authorised to make any minor presentational changes and corrections necessary to ready the Plan for referendum.

To seek endorsement for consultation on Issues stage

Resolved

(1)           That the community involvement consultation paper (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for the purpose of public consultation.

(2)           That the the addendum to the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) in response to the COVID19 pandemic be approved.

(3)           That the Assistant Director – Planning and Development be authorised to agree the start date for consultation, and any necessary presentational or other minor changes to the documents prior to commencement, with the Lead Member for Planning.

To appoint representatives to Partnerships and Outside Bodies and Member Champions for the municipal year 2020/21

Resolved

(1)           That appointments to partnerships, outside bodies and Member Champions for 2020/2021 as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (As set out in the Minute Book).

(2)           That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Leader, to appoint Members to outstanding vacancies and make changes to appointments as may be required for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year. 

To consider an Introductory Tenancies Policy

Resolved

(1)           That the cost implications of supporting rough sleepers and single homeless people to move on from accommodation provided during the pandemic be noted and Council be recommended to agree  that budget provision be made to cover these costs should alternative funding be unavailable.

(2)           That it be agreed that all future tenants of residential Council properties will be offered an Introductory Tenancy, whether constructed pursuant to the Build! scheme or otherwise.

(3)           That responsibility be delegated to the Assistant Director Growth and Economy to produce and implement the detailed Introductory Tenancies policy and procedure.

To consider the budgetary consequences of the motion on Peat Free Compost submitted by Councillor Banfield to the February Council meeting which, having been proposed and seconded, was immediately adjourned to the next ordinary Council meeting (July)

Resolved

(1)           That it be noted that the Landscape Maintenance Contractor uses no peat based products in any of the Grounds Maintenance activities.

(2)           That it be noted that in 2020 the floral & bedding plants are grown in 50% peat free compost.

(3)           That it be noted that the percentage of peat free compost used by the floral unit & bedding plant supplier will increase beyond 50% over the next few years and be fully peat free as soon as practicable & well before 2030.

To consider an update on Bicester Garden Town infrastructure

Reason for urgency: The matter was included on the 28 day notice but listed as a public report. In the drafting of teh report, it has been determined that due to the appendices containing commercially sensitive information the report should be exempt. The agreement of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Chairman has been given having regard to the sensitive nature of the report.

To request the Lead Member approval of a revised version of the Council’s 2018 Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Policy.  The revised policy provides additional flexibility in the setting of civil penalties in cases where landlords do not bring their privately rented properties up to the legal minimum standard set by the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (as amended).

Resolved

(1)       That the revised version of the Council’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Policy, which provides additional flexibility in the determination of civil penalties, be approved.

(2)       That the determination of appropriate penalties under this Policy be delegated to the Assistant Director of Housing and Social Care Commissioning who may then provide sub-delegations, as required, to other appropriate officers.