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.

Members declared the following general interests:

Councillor Wood, Personal, as persons known to him have an interest in land the area of, but outside the eco zone.

Councillor G A Reynolds, Personal, as a County Councillor due to the County Council having a land interest at Gowell’s Farm.

Councillor Kieron Mallon, Personal, as a County Councillor due to the County Council having a land interest at Gowell’s Farm.

Councillor Michael Gibbard, , Personal, as a County Councillor due to the County Council having a land interest at Gowell’s Farm.

Councillor Nicholas Turner, Personal, as a County Councillor due to the County Council having a land interest at Gowell’s Farm.

Councillor Norman Bolster, Personal, as a County Councillor due to the County Council having a land interest at Gowell’s Farm.

Members declared interests in the following agenda items:

12. Constitutional Amendments - Planning and Licensing.

Councillor Nicholas Turner, Prejudicial, as a licensee in the district.

To receive communications from the Chairman and/or the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman welcomed young people who were attending the Council meeting from Banbury School and were participating in the Local Councillor Shadowing Programme to gain a greater understanding of what it is like to be a Councillor and how the Council works.

The Chairman noted that Councillor Blackwell was not at the meeting as he had broken his leg at Christmas, members joined the Chairman in wishing him a speedy recovery. The Chairman also noted that 2010 marked Councillor Blackwell’s 40^th year of local government service and invited Councillors to join her in marking this occasion in April.

The Chairman announced that her annual dinner would be held on Friday 8 April 2010 at Bicester Hotel, Golf and Spa in aid of her charities, with tickets costing £45.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions and requests to address the meeting.

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 Council held on 19 October 2009.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 19 October 2009 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

Simon Hughes (Area Manager) of the Environment Agency will be invited to address Council, following which members will be able to ask questions.

The Chairman welcomed Simon Hughes, Area Manager for this area and Rosemary Redmond, Planning Manager at the Environment Agency to the meeting.

Simon Hughes and Rosemary Redmond addressed the meeting regarding the work of the agency within the Cherwell district. A number of members asked questions and answers were duly provided.

The Chairman thanked Simon Hughes and Rosemary Redmond.

a)                 Minutes of Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions made under  Special Urgency

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Portfolio Holder decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting of Council, no urgent Key Decisions have been taken by the Executive that were not included in a Forward Plan.

b)                 Minutes of Committees

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of committees as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received.

a) Minutes of Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Portfolio Holder decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council, no executive decisions have been taken that were subject to the special urgency provisions of the constitution.

b) Minutes of Committees

Resolved

That the minutes committees as set out in the Minute Book be received.

a)         Written Questions

To receive any written questions and answers which have been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the constitution. A written response to the question will be circulated at the meeting.

After receiving the written response the member submitting the question will be entitled to ask a follow up or supplementary question.

b)         Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chairman to invite questions to the Leader of the Council (including any matters arising from the minutes).

Following a response to their question being provided members will be entitled to a follow up or supplementary question.

c)         Questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes

The Chairman to invite questions to Chairmen of Committees on any matter arising from the minutes of their committee (if any).

a) Written Questions

There were no written questions.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Council Policy towards Evergreen III: Councillor Macnamara

Impact of snow on the district: Councillor Strangwood

Bicester Town Centre Redevelopment: Councillor Cotter

Bicester Eco Summit: Councillor Mawer

Evergreen III Islip Crossing: Councillor Sames

Refuse Collection alterations and communicating wish parishes: Councillor Hallchurch

Bicester Cottage Hospital: Councillor Hughes

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Chairman of Personnel Committee

Apprenticeship Scheme: Councillor Macnamara

To debate any motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the constitution.

There were no motions.

Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Summary

To agree an amendment to the Constitution in relation to the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding crime and disorder scrutiny.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To agree that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be formally designated as Cherwell District Council’s crime and disorder scrutiny committee; and

(2)               To agree that the Constitution be amended to reflect the change in the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out below:

·        Terms of Reference and Scheme of Delegation

·        Overview and Scrutiny Committee (page 16 – 17)

·        Insert new bullet point (# 7): 

To exercise the powers assigned to a crime and disorder scrutiny committee (under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, 2007 and Police and Justice Act, 2006)

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report requesting that Council consider recent developments in legislation relating to overview and scrutiny.

Resolved

1)         That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be formally designated as Cherwell District Council’s crime and disorder scrutiny committee.

2)         That the Constitution be amended to reflect the change in the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out below:

• Terms of Reference of Delegation
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee (page 16 – 17)
• Insert new bullet point (#7)

To exercise the powers assigned to a crime and disorder scrutiny committee (under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and Police and Justice Act 2006).

Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Summary

To consider the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by Planning and Licensing Committees.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To approve the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by the Planning committee relating to the Scheme of Delegation and Public Speaking Procedure Rules as set out in appendices 1 and 2.

(2)               To approve the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by the Licensing committee relating to the Scheme of Delegation and Committee Terms of Reference as set out in Appendices 3 and 4.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report to council  to consider the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by Planning and Licensing Committees.

Resolved

(1)               That the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by the Planning committee relating to the Scheme of Delegation and Public Speaking Procedure Rules as set out in annex 1 and 2 to the minutes as set out in the minute book be approved.

(2)               That the constitutional amendments recommended to Council by the Licensing committee relating to the Scheme of Delegation and Committee Terms of Reference as set out in annex 3 and 4 to the as set out in the minute book be approved.

Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Summary

Council is asked to consider the calendar of meetings for 2010/2011.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               To consider any amendments proposed by the Executive and agree a calendar of meetings for 2010/11.

(2)               To agree that the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council be delegated to make amendments to the calendar of meetings as and when the general election is called.

The  Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report requesting Council is asked to consider the calendar of meetings for 2010/2011.

Resolved

(1)               That the calendar of meetings as proposed by the Executive be agreed for 2010/11 as set out in annex 5 to the minutes as set out in the minute book.

(2)               That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council be delegated to make amendments to the calendar of meetings as and when required, including when the general election is called.