Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

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

Chair’s Announcements

Chair’s Engagements

A copy of the events the Chair or Vice-Chairman had attended was published with the agenda.

Member Briefings

Following an extensive induction and Member briefings during the past two months, the programme for the autumn was being drafted and Members should send any suggestions for briefing topics to the Democratic and Elections Team.

Information on online Safeguarding training, which it was important all councillors complete, would be emailed to councillors in due course. 

Length of Speeches and Voting

Proposers of motions may speak for up to 5 minutes, and all other speakers may speak for up to 3 minutes. As there was no countdown clock, the Governance and Elections Manager would be monitoring the length of speeches and will give a 30 second warning when you are coming to your time limit. Voting would be by clear raising of hand for, against or to abstain.

Leader of the Council’s, Councillor Wood, Announcements

Deputy Leader Appointment

The Leader of the Council advised Council that Councillor Ian Corkin had been appointed Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and was therefore Deputy Leader of Executive and the Council. 

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

Addresses may be presented by:

·         A Local Government elector for the area,

·         A person who is wholly or mainly resident in the area,

·         A Council Taxpayer or National Non-Domestic Ratepayer for the area

Addresses must be on an item on the Agenda before the meeting and not exceed 5 minutes. No person may address more than one meeting on any particular issue.

Requests to address the meeting (including the reason for the address) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk The deadline for petitions and requests to address this meeting is noon on Friday 16 July 2021.  

Full details of public participation at meetings is available in the Constitution.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 19 May 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the 28 day notice

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Lead Member Decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting of Council at which this was reported, 22 February 2021, 4 key and/or decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the 28 day notice relating to: Lease for Waterside Development; Consideration of the Oxford to Cambridge ARC Principles; Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire; and, Public Sector Decarbonisation.

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 the Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive and Lead Member decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council at which this was reported, 22 February 2021, four key and/or exempt decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the 28 day notice relating to: Lease for Waterside Development; Consideration of the Oxford to Cambridge ARC Principles; Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire; and, Public Sector Decarbonisation.

b)           Minutes of Committees

Resolved

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

a)         Written Questions

            1 written question has been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution. This is attached to the agenda. 

A written response to the questions will be published on the working day before the meeting.

The Member who submitted the written question may ask a supplementary question provided it is relevant to the reply and does not introduce any new matter. The Member to whom the question was addressed may reply to such supplementary question or undertake to reply in writing.

b)         Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chair 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 Chairmen on the Minutes

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

a) Written Questions

The Chairman advised Council that one written question addressed to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Wood, had been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the Constitution and had been published with the agenda. A response to the question had been published as a supplement to the agenda (and are an annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

The question was from Councillor Beere in relation to the Environment Agency Flood Risk Survey. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Beere referred to the recent flooding in Germany and the Benelux countries and asked the Leader if would write to the embassies on behalf of the Council extending sympathies to the affected communities. The Leader agreed to the request.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Councillor Middleton: Use of herbicides across the district, including by the council’s landscape contractor

Councillor Middleton: the council’s approach to the 19 July easing of lockdown measures in its own offices and premises

Councillor Woodcock: Member training

Councillor Broad: Oxfordshire Plan 2050

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

There were no questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes of meetings.

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To advise Council of the 2023 Parliamentary Boundary Review; to seek agreement to conduct a district wide Community Governance Review; to request the establishment of a Parliamentary Boundary and Community Governance Review Working Group to consider issues from the Parliamentary Boundary review and the Community Governance Review.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To agree to establish a Parliamentary Boundary and Community Governance Review (PBCGR) Working Group.

1.2         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders/ Spokesperson, to appoint three members from the Conservative Group, two members from the Labour Group, two members from the Progressive Oxfordshire Group and one member from the Independent Group to the Working Group. 

1.3         To agree that Cherwell District Council submit a response to the Parliamentary Boundary Review and delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Member Working Group, to finalise the Council’s first consultation submission on the Parliamentary Boundary review to the Boundary Commission for England.

1.4         To agree that a district wide Community Governance Review be undertaken and, subject to agreement, endorse the next steps detailed at paragraph 3.16.

Resolved

(1)           That it be agreed to establish a Parliamentary Boundary and Community Governance Review (PBCGR) Working Group.

(2)           That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders/ Spokesperson, to appoint three members from the Conservative Group, two members from the Labour Group, two members from the Progressive Oxfordshire Group and one member from the Independent Group to the Working Group. 

(3)           That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council submit a response to the Parliamentary Boundary Review and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Member Working Group, to finalise the Council’s first consultation submission on the Parliamentary Boundary review to the Boundary Commission for England.

(4)           That it be agreed to undertake a district wide Community Governance Review and the next steps be endorsed

The Chief Executive submitted a report to advise Council of the 2023 Parliamentary Boundary Review; to seek agreement to conduct a district wide Community Governance Review; to request the establishment of a Parliamentary Boundary and Community Governance Review Working Group to consider issues from the Parliamentary Boundary review and the Community Governance Review.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed to establish a Parliamentary Boundary and Community Governance Review (PBCGR) Working Group.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders/ Spokesperson, to appoint three members from the Conservative Group, two members from the Labour Group, two members from the Progressive Oxfordshire Group and one member from the Independent Group to the Working Group. 

(3)          That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council submit a response to the Parliamentary Boundary Review and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Member Working Group, to finalise the Council’s first consultation submission on the Parliamentary Boundary review to the Boundary Commission for England.

(4)          That it be agreed to undertake a district wide Community Governance Review and the next steps be endorsed

** Please note this report will follow as it is currently being reviewed and finalised **

Report of Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Resolved

(1)           That responsibility be delegated to the Standards Committee to agree the process for and to undertake the recruitment of three Independent Persons for recommendation to the 13 December 2021 Council meeting.

(2)           That the appointments of Mr Graham Matthews, Mr Tom Edwards and Mr Stuart Green as Independent Persons be extended to the 13 December 2021 Council meeting.

The Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer submitted a report to delegate authority to the standards committee, supported by the director of law and governance & monitoring officer, to agree the process for and to undertake the recruitment of three independent persons for recommendation to the 13 December 2021 council meeting. To extend the terms of the current independent persons pending the recruitment process.

Resolved

(1)          That responsibility be delegated to the Standards Committee to agree the process for and to undertake the recruitment of three Independent Persons for recommendation to the 13 December 2021 Council meeting.

(2)          That the appointments of Mr Graham Matthews, Mr Tom Edwards and Mr Stuart Green as Independent Persons be extended to the 13 December 2021 Council meeting.

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To seek Council’s approval to amend the Capital Programme for 2021/22 in line with the Financial Regulations.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       to approve the inclusion of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme into the Capital Programme at a cost of £5.987m funded by Government grant.

1.2       to approve the inclusion of the Garden Town scheme for Banbury Road Roundabout into the Capital Programme at a cost of £4.550m funded by Government grant.

1.3       to vire £75k from the Finance System Project to the iTrent payroll project.

Resolved

(1)           That the inclusion of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme into the Capital Programme at a cost of £5.987m funded by Government grant be approved.

(2)           That the inclusion of the Garden Town scheme for Banbury Road Roundabout into the Capital Programme at a cost of £4.550m funded by Government grant be approved.

(3)           That it be agreed to vire £75k from the Finance System Project to the iTrent payroll project.

The Director of Finance submitted a report to seek Council’s approval to amend the Capital Programme for 2021/22 in line with the Financial Regulations.

Resolved

(1)          That the inclusion of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme into the Capital Programme at a cost of £5.987m funded by Government grant be approved.

(2)          That the inclusion of the Garden Town scheme for Banbury Road Roundabout into the Capital Programme at a cost of £4.550m funded by Government grant be approved.

(3)          That it be agreed to vire £75k from the Finance System Project to the iTrent payroll project.

Report of the Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy and Prudential Indicators for 2020-21 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the contents of the 2020-21 Treasury Management Outturn Report.

Resolved

(1)           That the contents of the 2020-21 Treasury Management Outturn Report be noted.

The Director of Finance submitted a report to receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy and Prudential Indicators for 2020-21 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the 2020-21 Treasury Management Outturn Report be noted.

The Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Wood, will advise Council of a change to the Conservative Group membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommendation

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the amendment to the Conservative Group membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.   

Resolved

(1)           That the following change of Conservative Group committee membership be noted:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Remove: Councillor Maurice Billington

Add: Councillor David Hughes

The Chairman invited the Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Wood, to advise Council of the amendments to Conservative Group committee membership.   

Resolved

(1)          That the following change of Conservative Group committee membership be noted:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Remove: Councillor Maurice Billington

Add: Councillor David Hughes

To debate the following motion which has been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Constitution.

Please note that the deadline to submit motions has passed. The deadline for Members to submit amendments to the above motion is noon on Thursday 15 July 2021.  No amendments will be permitted after this deadline.

Any amendments submitted will be published as a supplement to the agenda on the afternoon of Friday 16 July 2021. Amendments for motions will be dealt with in the order submitted. 

On being put to the vote the motion was lost and subsequently fell

The Chairman advised that one motion had been submitted.  No amendments to the motions had been submitted and, in line with the Constitution, no amendments to the motion were now permitted.

‘Fire and Rehire’

It was proposed by Councillor Richards and seconded by Councillor Woodcockthat the following motion be adopted.

“Cherwell District Council condemns the use of ‘Fire and Rehire’ by any employers in the Cherwell District and

·         Calls upon the Members of Parliament representing Cherwell residents (John Howell, Layla Moran and Victoria Prentis) to support Barry Gardiner’s Private Member’s Bill and do all in their power to make this practice unlawful, and

·         Cherwell District Council resolves not to procure any goods or services from companies that have sought to gain commercial advantage by using or threatening to use this unscrupulous practice.”

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. In the course of the debate it was proposed by Councillor Corkin  and seconded by Councillor Woodcock that a recorded vote be taken. Having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken, and Members voted as follows:

The vote was lost and the motion therefore fell.