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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

There was no urgent business.

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

Surinder Dhesi submitted a petition regarding the sale of cars parked on grass verges in Banbury.

Surinder Dhesi requested that the Executive look at solutions other authorities had found to this problem, such as Barnet Council.

The Leader received the petition.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 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.

Agreed

The Leader 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 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Summary

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on Rural Affordable Housing and Exception Sites.

Cllr Donaldson, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, will attend the meeting to present the report.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Note the work of the Task and Finish Group scrutiny review into rural affordable housing and exception sites as detailed in Appendix 1a;

2)         Agree the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations regarding rural affordable housing and exception sites as detailed in Appendix 1a.

Agreed subject to the additional resolutions:

1)     That Officers be requested to produce a further report on the potential advantages and disadvantages of employing directly an Enabling Officer

2)     That Officers be requested to produce a further report requesting relevant outside bodies to release land for rural exception sites

3)     That Officers be requested to produce a further report explaining how the work of the Rural Housing Trust has been taken up by other organisations.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee submitted a report on Rural Affordable Housing and Exception sites.

Resolved

1)                 That the work of the Task and Finish Group scrutiny review into rural affordable housing and exceptions sites be noted

2)                 That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations regarding rural affordable housing and exception sites as detailed below be agreed

a)            That Cherwell District Council should encourage a more pro-active approach to rural affordable housing and exception sites and that the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing be invited to fully investigate all opportunities for the provision of rural affordable housing through the Local Development Framework.  This should include a review of the relevant policies for the location of general rural affordable housing (including the potential to generate opportunities for some integral affordable provision), and of the criteria against which exception sites are assessed.

b)            That Cherwell District Council should encourage an open and transparent approach to communications associated with the delivery of rural affordable housing and exception sites.

c)             That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorses and recommends the proposed Rural Affordable Housing Improvement Plan to the Executive.

d)            That the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing should be asked to present the conclusions of this scrutiny review and the Executive/Council response at the Parish Liaison meeting in June 2009.

e)            That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should monitor progress against each of the above recommendations and review the situation, initially in September 2009.

3)           That in addition to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the following be agreed:

a)           That Officers be requested to produce a further report on the potential advantages and disadvantages of employing directly an Enabling Officer

b)           That Officers be requested to produce a further report requesting relevant outside bodies to release land for rural exception sites

c)      That Officers be requested to produce a further report explaining how the work of the Rural Housing Trust has been taken up by other organisations

Reasons – To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Review

Options

Report of Head of Urban and Rural Services

Summary

To explain key changes in biodiversity legislation, policy and issues since the publication of the Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan 2005-2010 (BAP). To consider the production of a revised and updated Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)                 Note the key changes in biodiversity legislation, policy and issues since the publication of the current Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan.

2)                 Approve the production of a revised and updated Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan which works towards a rich and diverse local natural where wildlife is conserved and the benefits of nature are available to everyone.

Agreed subject to the amendment of recommendation 2 as follows:

2) That Officers be requested to produce a further report detailing the costs and benefits of a Biodiversity Action Plan before we proceed to develop one.

The Head of Urban and Rural Services submitted a report updating the Executive on key changes in biodiversity legislation, policy and issues since the publication of the Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan 2005-2010.

Resolved

1)                 That the key changes in biodiversity legislation, policy and issues since the publication of the current Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan be noted.

2)                 That Officers be requested to produce a further report detailing the costs and benefits of a Biodiversity Action Plan before the Council proceed to develop one.

Reasons – To explain key changes in biodiversity legislation, policy and issues since the publication of the Cherwell Biodiversity Action Plan 2005-2010 (BAP).To consider the production of a revised and updated Cherwell BAP.

Options

Report of Head of Planning and Affordable Housing.

Summary

Local Authorities have a duty under the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review Conservation Areas from time to time.

Recommendation

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Resolve, under Section 69 of the Planning (ListedBuildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to approve the Kidlington Conservation Areas appraisal, to extend the boundaries of Church Street, High Street and The Rookery Conservation Areas, and to designate Crown Road and Langford Lane Wharf Conservation Areas with immediate effect.

Agreed

The Head of Planning and Affordable Housing submitted a report seeking approval for the Kidlington conservation Areas. The Leader thanked the Conservation Officers for their efforts in producing such informative and interesting reports.

Resolved

1)                 That the Kidlington Conservation Area be approved under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

2)                 That the extended boundaries of Church Street, High Street and the Rookery Conservations be approved under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

3)                 That Crown Road and Langford Lance Wharf Conservation Areas be approved with immediate effect under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

Reasons - To fulfil the Council’s duty under the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review Conservation Areas from time to time. 

Options

Report of Head of Planning and Affordable Housing Policy

Summary

Local Authorities have a duty under the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review Conservation Areas from time to time.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Resolve, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to approve the Cottisford Conservation Area appraisal and to extend the boundary with immediate effect

Agreed

The Head of Planning and Affordable Housing submitted a report seeking approval a Cottisford Conservation Area. The Leader thanked the Conservation Officers for their efforts in producing such informative and interesting reports.

Resolved

1)                 That the Cottisford Conservation Area be approved and the boundaries be extended under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 with immediate effect

Reasons - To fulfil the Council’s duty under the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review Conservation Areas from time to time. 

Options

Report of Head of Economic Development and Estates

Summary

To confirm modifications to the revised draftParsons Street/Market Place traffic regulation Order (TRO), Banbury and to progress amendments to the traffic regulations Orders for High Street, Broad Street and Butchers Row, Banbury and Sheep Street, Bicester.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Agree that the Bridge Street, Market Place, Cornhill and Parsons Street Traffic regulation Order, as modified on 2 March 2009, be made

2)         Agree that the Council enter into a revised agency agreement with OCC, authorising the Council to make the TRO as modified, and to promote amendments to the existing High Street, Broad Street and Butchers Row Banbury TRO, and the Sheep Street Bicester TRO, in order to ensure that the arrangements for the issue of exemption certificates are consistent

3)         Agree that the Council enter into an Agreement with OCC under s278 of the Highways Act 1980, authorising the Council to undertake the works for Parsons Street/Market Place, Bridge Street and Church Walk/Church Lane

4)         Promote amendments to the existing High Street, Broad Street and Butchers Row Banbury traffic regulation orders, and the Sheep Street Bicester traffic regulation order, in order to ensure that the arrangements for the issue of exemption certificates are consistent

Agreed

The Head of Economic Development and Estates submitted a report which sought to confirm the revised draft Parsons Street/Market Place, Banbury traffic regulation order and to progress amendments to the traffic regulation orders for High Street, Broad Steer and Butcher Row Banbury and Sheep Street Bicester.

Resolved

1)         That the Bridge Street, Market Place, Cornhill and Parsons Street Traffic regulation Order, as modified on 2 March 2009, be made.

2)                 That the Council entering into a revised agency agreement with Oxfordshire County Council, authorising the Council to make the Traffic Regulation Order as modified be agreed.

3)                 That amendments to the existing High Street, Broad Street and Butchers Row Banbury Traffic Regulation Order and the Sheep Street Bicester Traffic Regulation Order be promoted, in order to ensure that the arrangements for the issue of exemption certificates be made consistent.

4)                 That the Council enter into an Agreement with Oxfordshire County Council under s278 of the Highways Act 1980, authorising the Council to undertake the works for Parsons Street/Market Place, Bridge Street and Church Walk/Church Lane

5)                 That amendments to the existing High Street, Broad Street and Butchers Row Banbury traffic regulation orders, and the Sheep Street Bicester traffic regulation order be promoted, in order to ensure that the arrangements for the issue of exemption certificates are consistent

Reasons - To confirm the Traffic Regulation Order following the consultation process

Options

** Appendix 4 to follow **

Report of the Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources

Summary

To provide an update of progress made to date in respect of the Corporate Procurement Programme of Activities approved by the Executive on 3 March 2008.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)         Note the progress made to date in respect of the Corporate Procurement Programme of Activities

2)         Note the progress in respect of the establishment of the centralised procurement function

Agreed

The Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources submitted a report updating the Executive on progress made in respect of the Corporate Procurement Programme of Activities approved by the Executive on 3 March 2009.

Resolved

1)           That the progress made in respect of the Corporate Procurement Programme of Activities be noted.

2)           That the progress in respect of the establishment of the centralised procurement function be noted.

Reasons - To make an overall judgement about progress made in achieving corporate procurement objectives and to identify aspects where action is required to improve performance.

Options