Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest that they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Members declared interests in the following agenda items:

7. Evergreen 3:Response to Public Consultation by Chiltern Rail for a New Oxford to London Route.

Councillor James Macnamara, Personal, Adrian Shooter Chairman of Chiltern Trains is an acquaintance of Councillor Macnamara.

9. Community Use of Places of Worship in Bicester.

Councillor D M Pickford, Personal, as a regular attendee at St. Egburg's Church and also the catholic church.

9. Community Use of Places of Worship in Bicester.

Councillor James Macnamara, Personal, as a member of the diocesan and deanery synods.

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

There were no petitions and requests to addres 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 the meeting held on 11 May 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2009 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Leader of the Council

Summary

To review the Leader’s Forward Plan of the key decisions which will be taken by the Executive over the next four months.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Resolve to note the Leader’s Forward Plan for the next four months.

Approved

The Leader of the Council submitted the Forward Plan of key decisions to be taken over the next four months.

Resolved

That the Forward Plan for the next four months be noted.

Reasons – to create a Forward Plan for the Council as required by the Local Government Act 2000.

Report of the Strategic Director Planning, Housing and Economy

Summary

To present information to the Executive on the proposed improvements to the railway line between Bicester and Oxford as part of proposals by Chiltern Railways for a new route between Oxford and London.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)                 Agree the contents of the report as the basis of the Council’s response to the public consultation and in particular to agree the representations set out in paragraphs 1.17, 1.24, 1.26 and 1.28 of the report.

a)                 Paragraph 1.17:  It is recommended that the Council supports the proposals provided Chiltern Railways can satisfy the criteria in PPG2 and PPG13.

b)                 Paragraph 1.24: It is recommended that the Council welcomes the proposed improvements to the station facilities and rail service at Bicester Town in providing a recognised station to complement the existing services from Bicester North.  However, the response to Chiltern Railways should include the Council’s concerns about the visual impact and traffic impact of Option 3 and note the need to work with the Highway Authority to look at traffic impacts within the Town.  The Council should also discuss with Chiltern Railways the links between Bicester Town station and the Bicester North station. Chiltern Railways should be encouraged to improve links to Bicester Town station from Bicester in order to support the creation of a sustainable community.  This should include links with North West Bicester.

c)                  Paragraph 1.26: The proposals for Islip are generally welcomed and should be supported.

d)                 Paragraph 1.28: The Council should support the proposed connecting line.

2)                 Ask Planning Committee to consider and make appropriate representations on the details of the scheme as the Transport and Works Act application proceeds.

Approved and that comments made by Councillors at the meeting should be fed in to the consultation response.

The Strategic Director Planning, Housing and Economy submitted a report to present information to the Executive on the proposed improvements to the railway line between Bicester and Oxford as part of proposals by Chiltern Railways for a new route between Oxford and London.

The Executive discussed the issue and agreed that the proposals should be supported and requested officers to include in the consultation response over the effect of traffic flow of an increased use of the level crossing at Bicester Town Station and also to consider whether any Section 106 money was available from the Bicester Village Development.

Resolved

The Executive is recommended to:

1)                 That the report (as appended to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be agreed as the basis of the Council’s response to the public consultation and in particular to agree the representations set out below:

• That the proposals be supported provided Chiltern Railways can satisfy the criteria in PPG2 and PPG13.

• That the proposed improvements to the station facilities and rail service at Bicester Town in providing a recognised station to complement the existing services from Bicester North be welcomed.  However, the response to Chiltern Railways should include the Council’s concerns about the visual impact and traffic impact of Option 3 and note the need to work with the Highway Authority to look at traffic impacts within the Town.  The Council should also discuss with Chiltern Railways the links between Bicester Town station and the Bicester North station. Chiltern Railways should be encouraged to improve links to Bicester Town station from Bicester in order to support the creation of a sustainable community.  This should include links with North West Bicester.

• That the proposals for Islip be generally welcomed and supported.

• That  the proposed connecting line be supported.

2)                 That the Planning Committee be asked to consider and make appropriate representations on the details of the scheme as the Transport and Works Act application proceeds.

Reasons - The proposed project will improve public transport provision and provide new facilities for rail passengers in the District.  On this basis, the Council should continue to discuss the details on the proposed scheme with Chiltern Railways.

Report of Strategic Director Environment and Community

Summary

To consider the actions the Council is taking regarding any vehicles parked illegally on highway land, particularly for trading and sale purposes and to consider any further action.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)                 Note the action already taken by the District Council and support its continuation.

2)                 Urge Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards to step up its enforcement and prosecution activity

3)                 Agree to designate specific parts/whole entry and arterial roads and lay-bys in Banbury as prohibited streets for trading according to current trading activity and to authorise the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Recreation and Health to agree the final details.

Approved, with the amendment that the text ‘according to current trading activity’ be deleted from recommendation 3.

The Strategic Director Environment and Community submitted a report to consider the actions the Council is taking regarding any vehicles parked illegally on highway land, particularly for trading and sale purposes and to consider any further action.

It was agreed Recommendation 3 be amended to delete the words ‘according to current trading activity’.

Resolved

1)                 That the action already taken by the District Council be noted and continued action supported.

2)                 That Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards be urged to step up its enforcement and prosecution activity

3)                 That it be agreed to designate specific parts/whole entry and arterial roads and lay-bys in Banbury as prohibited streets for trading and to authorise the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Recreation and Health to agree the final details.

Reasons - There is clear evidence of vehicles parked illegally and for sale on highway land around Banbury.  This occurs primarily on 12 roads. Coordinated action by this Council, Trading Standards of the County Council and the Police has been taken for many years.  Following local member and officer initiative, Cherwell District Council has and continues to take action where it can in the fight against cars for sale parked on the roadside.

Report of Strategic Director Environment and Community

Summary

The Council has been approached to support three developments planned in Bicester’s places of worship, all of which have some clear wider community benefits.  This report considers these and proposes support for them.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Approve grant aid of £30,000 for St Edburg’s Church and £10,000 each for The Church of the Immaculate Conception and Emmanuel Church.

2)         Make these grants conditional upon the construction and operational financial viability plus a clear long term programme of accessible community use of each project.

Approved

The Strategic Director Environment and Community submitted a report to support three developments planned in Bicester’s places of worship, all of which have some clear wider community benefits. 

Resolved

1)         That grant aid of £30,000 for St Edburg’s Church and £10,000 each for The Church of the Immaculate Conception and Emmanuel Church be approved.

2)         That these grants be made conditional upon the construction and operational financial viability plus a clear long term programme of accessible community use of each project.

Reasons - There are many places of worship in Bicester which play an important part in the life of the town. The Council has been approached by three of these with a request to support their planned developments. Each request has also demonstrated the willingness to receive bookings from a wide range of community groups and to adopt an open approach to non religious use by the local community.  This is an important point of principle which should be a condition of any grant aid.

** Appendix 9 to follow **

Report of the Chief Executive, Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources and Head of Improvement

Summary

This report covers the Council’s performance in 2008/09 as measured through the Corporate Scorecard and summarises the Council’s provisional Revenue and Capital performance for the financial year 2008/09. 

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)     Note that, despite tougher performance targets, the Council has met or made satisfactory progress on 86% of the performance targets in the Corporate Scorecard and met or made satisfactory progress on 96% of the performance targets in the Corporate Plan.

2)     Note that, despite tougher performance targets, the Council met 89% of the targets in the Corporate Improvement Plan, compared to 79% in 2007/08, and made satisfactory progress on another 9%.

3)     Confirm that the responses to the issues raised in the last quarterly report are satisfactory (section 2.1) or to request any further information or action.

4)     Note the many achievements referred to in paragraph 1.3 and agree officer’s report in the first quarter report performance report for 2009/10 on the issues shown in paragraph 1.4, where performance did not meet the required target.  

5)     Note the provisional revenue out-turn position for 2008/09 detailed in Appendix 9a.

6)     Agree the carry forward revenue budgets which have slipped in 08/09 to be carried forward into the 2009/10 revenue budget as set out in Appendix 9b.

7)     Note the continued improvement in accuracy and reliability that the Council has made in projecting the year end position through the embedding of the Corporate Dashboard.

8)     Note the provisional capital out-turn position for 2008/09 detailed in Appendix 9c.

9)     Agree the carry forward balances on capital schemes which have slipped in 08/09 to be carried forward into the 2009/10 capital programme as set out in Appendix 9d.

Approved

The Chief Executive, Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources and Head of Improvement submitted a report that covered the Council’s performance in 2008/09 as measured through the Corporate Scorecard and summarises the Council’s provisional Revenue and Capital performance for the financial year 2008/09. 

Resolved

1)                 That it be noted that, despite tougher performance targets, the Council has met or made satisfactory progress on 86% of the performance targets in the Corporate Scorecard and met or made satisfactory progress on 96% of the performance targets in the Corporate Plan.

2)                 That is be noted that, despite tougher performance targets, the Council met 89% of the targets in the Corporate Improvement Plan, compared to 79% in 2007/08, and made satisfactory progress on another 9%.

3)                 That it be confirmed that the responses to the issues raised in the last quarterly report are satisfactory

4)                 That it be noted the many achievements be noted and officer’s report in the first quarter report performance report for 2009/10 on the issues as set out below:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·        The ongoing impact of the economic recession on meeting targets for the provision of new homes and jobs, the rising demands on services such as Housing Benefits and Economic Development and the reduced income for Building Control, Development Control, and Land Charges.

·        The progress of major regeneration and development schemes such as Banbury Canalside, Bicester Town Centre, and South West Bicester. 

·        Delays producing the Local Development Framework due to the pressure of work and strategic uncertainties resulting from the eco-town proposal.

·        The performance for processing new benefits claims and changes in circumstances and recovering overpayment.

A Cleaner, Greener Cherwell

·        Not meeting the target of reducing the CO2 emissions from Council activities by 4%. 

A Safe and Healthy Cherwell

·        The percentage of residents who when asked say they feel safe at home and in the community.

·        The overall numbers visiting BanburyMuseum were below target, despite the continued high overall usage.

An Accessible, Value for Money Council

·        Collecting Council Tax and National Non Domestic Rates (both performed below target, albeit marginally, at the year end).

·        The number of days lost through sickness per employee. 

·        Not meeting the target of 70% of residents feeling well informed about the Council.

·        The performance for processing of minor and other planning applications. 

5)                 That the provisional revenue out-turn position for 2008/09 detailed in Appendix 9a of the report be noted.

6)                 That the carry forward revenue budgets which have slipped in 08/09 to be carried forward into the 2009/10 revenue budget as set out in Appendix 9b (appended to these minutes as set out in the minute book) be agreed.

7)                 That the continued improvement in accuracy and reliability that the Council has made in projecting the year end position through the embedding of the Corporate Dashboard be noted .

8)                 That the provisional capital out-turn position for 2008/09 detailed in Appendix 9c be noted.

9)                 That the carry forward balances on capital schemes which have slipped in 08/09  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.