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

There were no petitions or 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 were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

** Please note that Appendix 1 will be circulated under separate cover to the main agenda pack as it will be in colour **

Report of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To seek the approval of Executive of the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy for Cherwell for public consultation purposes.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the content of the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy.

(2)               To approve the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy for public consultation purposes.

Recommendations approved, subject to the following amendment to recommendation 2:

(2)       That the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy be approved for public consultation purposes and that authority be delegated to the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, to make any minor amendments to the Strategy prior to consultation.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought the approval of the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy for Cherwell for public consultation purposes.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning advised Members that an addendum to the report had been circulated as since publication of the Executive agenda the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) had been published, which replaced existing Planning Policy Guidance and Statements. Additionally, the Budget Statement had removed the provision of zero rating for VAT purposes of new works to listed building from 1 October 2012.

The Lead Member for Planning explained that if approved for consultation purposes, the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy would be updated to reflect the changes arising from the NPPF and the budget statement.

Member agreed that the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy was important for the district as it supported the protection of local heritage and the promotion of local design.

The Lead Member for Planning reported that Linda Rand, Senior Conservation Officer, would be retiring at the end of the week. The Executive thanked Linda for her hard work for the authority expressing their appreciation for her services to planning and wished her all the best for her retirement.

Resolved

(1)               That the content of the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy be considered.

(2)       That the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy be approved for public consultation purposes and that authority be delegated to the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, to make any minor amendments to the Strategy prior to consultation.

Reasons

This draft strategy sets out the Council’s remit in the areas of conservation and urban design, illustrates what has been achieved and what we will strive to achieve in the future.  The document covers a three year period from April 2012 to March 2015.

Options

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Summary

The purpose of this report is to bring Cherwell’s 2012 - 2017 Housing Strategy to the Executive for approval.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)       To approve the proposed Cherwell Housing Strategy for 2012 – 2017.

(2)       To delegate authority to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation   with the Lead Member for Housing to produce an annual delivery plan for each year of the strategy that will prioritise actions in line with resources and opportunities.

Recommendations approved.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which presented Cherwell’s 2012 - 2017 Housing Strategy to the Executive for approval.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Housing explained that the Strategy covered six Strategic Housing Priorities. It superseded and incorporated any existing or former strategies and carried over any outstanding actions.

Members commended Officers for the strategy making particular reference to the innovative approach to housing strategies and policies which had aided in securing significant inward investment and agreed that work should continue in this way. The Executive requested that officers arrange a briefing for all Members on the refreshed allocations policy and benefits reforms.  

Resolved

(1)       That the proposed Cherwell Housing Strategy for 2012 – 2017 be approved.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation   with the Lead Member for Housing to produce an annual delivery plan for each year of the strategy that will prioritise actions in line with resources and opportunities.

Reasons

Cherwell’s proposed Housing Strategy is ambitious.  It clearly sets out the need to understand the business case for all new areas of development.  In producing a business case we can look at rationale, resources, risk and outcomes to assess if this is a prudent way forward.  An example of this is the emerging Build! ® self build housing programme.  A business case was made, which identified the level of investment and the likely return. This is a good example of how innovation can provide leverage to secure significant inward investment.  To date the HCA has committed (subject to contract) £2.45 million pounds towards the Build! ® programme for new build and refurbishment of empty homes.

As well as being a statutory requirement, the proposed Cherwell Housing Strategy is a tool to communicate our priorities to partners in the public, private and voluntary sector.   We have taken into consideration feedback from a range of partners through one-to-one meetings and groups and tried to capture all the key challenges and opportunities ahead.  Whilst no strategy can be ‘all things to all people’ we believe that the holistic approach to housing provides a balanced set of actions which if implemented will enable the District to be investment ready and for local people to be ‘housing ready’ ~ financially resilient and able to secure and manage a home.

Options

Report of Head of Community Services

Summary

To report on progress to date on the implementation of the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel (PCP) and to seek approval to establish a Joint Committee.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:             

(1)               To approve the establishment of a Joint Committee and delegate to it signing-off the arrangements for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel.

(2)               To appoint Councillor Reynolds as the Cherwell District Council representative on the Joint Committee.

Recommendations approved.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report which reported on progress to date on the implementation of the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel (PCP) and to seek approval to establish a Joint Committee.

Resolved

(1)               That the establishment of a Joint Committee and delegate to it signing-off the arrangements for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel be approved.

(2)               That Councillor Reynolds be appointed as the Cherwell District Council representative on the Joint Committee.

Reasons

This decision is the next step in implementing the decision of the Executive of 5 March 2012 in establishing the Thames Valley Police Crime Panel

Options

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraph of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

** Please note that Appendices 1 and 2 will follow as the consultation process does not close until after agenda publication **

Exempt Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Recommendations approved as set out in the exempt report,

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted an exempt report which sought support for the business case to implement some shared finance functions across Cherwell District Council (CDC) and South Northamptonshire Council (SNC).

Resolved

That, subject to approval of the staffing implications by Personnel Committee and similar approval by the respective SNC decision making bodies:

(1)               The consultation comments and responses contained in the log be noted.

(2)               The business case to implement some shared finance and procurement functions across Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council be endorsed.

(3)               Subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms, authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement to take all necessary steps to implement the team in compliance with the Organisational Change Policy and in consultation with the HR Managers at both Councils.

(4)               That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to fund the implementation costs from earmarked reserves.

Reasons

The Option recommended is seen as the proposal that would bring the most benefit to both Councils, would impact on JMT in a timely manner, deliver the required savings and allow a further review once the full impact of the Local Government Resource Review (LGRR), Welfare reform and Localism is known. This would also allow for the shared IT service to be implemented with the full benefits of more streamlined technology being considered in a further review of the finance and procurement function when there is greater certainty.

There are clear benefits to be gained from shared Finance and Procurement functions by both organisations in terms of increased resilience, consistent policies and procedures, best practice across the two authorities, efficiency and effectiveness. 

Options

The options are set out in detail in the business case. The approach in the recommendations is believed to be the best way forward