Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed councillors and officers to the council’s first in-person meeting in over a year and explained that the legislation allowing for virtual formal Council and committee meetings had now ended so all formal meetings will be in person. Members of committees must attend in person to be able to participate and vote. Measures would be in place to ensure the safety of meeting attendees. 

The Chairman advised that meetings will continue to be webcast for the public, non-committee members and press and welcomed viewers of the broadcast the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Councillors Patrick Clarke, Sandy Dallimore, Matthew Hodgson, Adam Nell and Dorothy Walker to the Council and congratulated them and all other councillors who were returned at the recent election. The newly elected councillors each introduced themselves to Council.

The Chairman gave a brief housekeeping overview to ensure that the meeting would run smoothly and safely complying with the COVID measures that were in place.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

Former Councillors

On behalf of all Members, the Chairman extended the council’s gratitude for their service to the council, their wards and the district, to those councillors who stood down at the district elections held on 6 May.

Annual Council

The Chairman advised Council that, by convention, minutes of Committees, questions, petitions and motions were not taken at Annual Council and these, if any, would be considered at the next meeting.

Chairman’s Engagements

A copy of the events attended by the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman had been published as a supplement to the agenda.

Member Training Events

The Chairman reminded Members of the virtual training events that were  scheduled in the coming fortnight and encouraged Members to attend the sessions.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 22 February 2021 .

Subject to the following amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Minute 64 – Communications

Correction to the Chairman’s communication in relation to former Councillor Margaret Ferriman, who was not a member of Banbury Town Council, but a Banbury Charter Trustee and had represented the Banbury Neithrop ward on Oxfordshire County Council.

(The outgoing Chairman, Councillor David Hughes, presided for the consideration of this matter and those preceding)

It was moved by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Wood, that Councillor Hannah Banfield be elected as Chair for the municipal year 2021/2022. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Hannah Banfield be appointed Chair of Cherwell District Council for the Municipal Year 2021/2022.

Councillor Hannah Banfield, having made and signed the required Declaration of Acceptance of Office took the Chair.

Councillor Banfield thanked Members for her appointment and addressed Council.

The Chair requested that she be addressed as Chair and reported that she would be supporting the following charities during her term of office: The Green Dome Trust Community Fridge, The Sunshine Multicultural Ladies Drop In Project and the Banburyshire benefits Advice Centre.

The Chair thanked Members and officers for their hard work for residents during the ongoing COVID pandemic.

The Chair paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Councillor Hughes, thanking him for his dedication to the Council and residents.

Members paid tribute to Councillor Hughes for his two year term of office commending him for the dedication and commitment he had shown representing the Council both in person and virtually during the ongoing pandemic. Members also commended Councillor Hughes for chairing physical and, during the last year, virtual, Council meetings in a fair and calm way.

Councillor Hughes accepted his past Chairman’s badge as a token of his term of office. 

Councillor Hughes addressed Council to report on his two year term of office.

Councillor Hughes thanked his consort, his wife Gina, for her great support. Councillor Hughes also extended his thanks to all Members, commenting that the past year had been difficult but all Members and officers who had supported residents and communities in the district as well as supporting him as Chairman.

Councillor Hughes explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic he had not been able to hold a main fundraising event for his three charities, however the incoming Chair had agreed that they would work together on a joint event to fundraise for both of their charities.

It was moved by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Mould, that Councillor Les Sibley be elected as Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2021/2022. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Les Sibley be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2021/2022.

Councillor Les Sibley, having made and signed the required Declaration of Acceptance of Office was invested with the Vice-Chairman’s Chain.

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To note the results of the 6 May 2021 district elections, to note the constitution of Political Groups, to note the appointment of the Deputy Leader and Executive for the Municipal Year 2021/22, and consider and agree the suggested constitution of Committees for the Municipal year 2021/2022 and to appoint representatives to the Oxfordshire County Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel, the Oxfordshire Growth Board, the Oxfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Panel and Oxfordshire Growth Board advisory sub-groups.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

1.1         To note the results of the District elections held on 6 May 2021.

1.2         To note the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders (addendum to report to follow).

1.3         To note the appointment of Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and the Executive portfolios for 2021/2022.

1.4         To agree the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Appendix 2 (to follow).

1.5         To agree the allocation of seats on committees not subject to political balance requirements as set in Appendix 2 (to follow).

1.6         To appoint members (and where appropriate, substitute members) to serve on each of the committees in accordance with the nominations to be made by political groups (Appendix 3 - to follow).

1.7         To appoint a non-Executive representative to the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

1.8         To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel.

1.9         To appoint an Executive member representative and Executive member substitute to the Oxfordshire Growth Board.

1.10      To appoint three non-Executive representatives to the Oxfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Panel.

1.11      To appoint an Executive member and Executive member substitute to each of the Oxfordshire Growth Board advisory sub-groups: Housing Advisory Subgroup, Infrastructure Advisory Subgroup, Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory Subgroup and Environment Advisory Group.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for Council to note the results of the 6 May 2021 district elections, note the constitution of Political Groups, note the appointment of the Deputy Leader and Executive for the Municipal Year 2021/22, and consider and agree the suggested constitution of Committees for the Municipal year 2021/2022 and to appoint representatives to the Oxfordshire County Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel, the Oxfordshire Growth Board, the Oxfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Panel and Oxfordshire Growth Board advisory sub-groups.

In reporting on his Executive for the 2021/2022 municipal year, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Barry Wood, paid tribute to Councillor George Reynolds and Councillor John Donaldson who had both stood down from Executive. Councillor Wood thanked Councillor Reynolds for his support as his Deputy Leader and commended both Councillor Reynolds and Councillor Donaldson for their contribution to Executive and hard work within their portfolios.

Councillor Wood advised Council that he would not be reporting on his Deputy Leader at this time but would notify the Proper Officer and Council in due  course.

Resolved

(1)          That the results of the District elections held on 6 May 2021 be noted:

(2)          That the current constitution of the Council 48 Members) be noted:

·         31 Conservative (65%)

·         9 Labour / Labour & Co-operative Party (19%)

·         4 Independent  (8%)

·         3 Liberal Democrat  (6%)

·         1 Green  (2%)

(3)          That the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders be noted:

·         Conservative Group – 31 members (all Conservative councillors)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Barry Wood

·         Labour Group – 9 members (comprising all Labour / Labour & Co-operative councillors)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Sean Woodcock

·         Progressive Oxfordshire Group – 6 members (comprising 3 Liberal Democrat, 1 Green and 2 Independent (Cllrs Broad and Cotter) councillors)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Katherine Tyson

·         Independent Group – 2 members (comprising 2 Independent councillors, Cllrs Sibley and Webster)

o   Group Leader: Councillor Les Sibley 

(4)          That it be noted that the Deputy Leader of the Council would be appointed in due course.

(5)          That the membership of the Executive and the Executive portfolios for 2021/2022 be noted:

Report of Assistant Director – Planning & Development

Purpose of report

To seek the ‘making’ of the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan following the successful referendum and the recommendation of the Corporate Director – Environment & Place.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

1.1         To note the referendum result of 6 May 2021 where 91.7% of those who voted were in favour of the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan, which is above the required 50%.

1.2         To formally ‘make’ the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan presented at Appendix 1 to this report so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District.

1.3         To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning to issue and publicise a Decision Statement.

The Assistant Director – Planning & Development submitted a report to seek  the ‘making’ of the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan following the successful referendum and the recommendation of the Corporate Director – Environment & Place.

Resolved

(1)          That the referendum result of 6 May 2021 where 91.7% of those who voted were in favour of the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan, which is above the required 50% be noted.

(2)          That it be agreed to formally ‘make’ the Weston-on-the-Green Neighbourhood Plan presented at Appendix 1 to this report so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District.

(3)          That the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, be authorised to issue and publicise a Decision Statement.

Report of Report of the Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

The report recommends approval of changes to the terms of reference for the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

1.1       to approve the proposed terms of reference for the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report.

The Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report which recommended approval of changes to the terms of reference for the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee. The proposed changes had been considered and recommended to Council for approval by the Committee at its 17 March meeting

Resolved

(1)          That the proposed terms of reference for the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved. .

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

This report presents the annual report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2020/21

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

1.1      To note the contents of the Annual Report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2020/21.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the annual report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2020/2021.

Resolved

(1)          That the annual report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2020/21 be noted.

Report of Director of Law and Governance

Purpose of report

This report presents the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2020/21

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

1.1       To note the report

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report which presented the  Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2020/2021.

Resolved

(1)          That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2020/2021 be noted.