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 the following interests:

6. Banbury Masterplan Progress Report.

Councillor Nicholas Turner, Conflict of Interest, as Chairman of a management company and a tenant on the outskirts of Banbury and should this issue arise he would leave the meeting.

7. Oxford Canal Conservation Area Designation.

Councillor Nigel Morris, Conflict of Interest, due to interest in a site within the report and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item

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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 3 September 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

Add Councillor Ken Atack and Councillor Nigel Morris to list of Members present.

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To receive a report and associated presentation on the development of the Banbury Masterplan.

The presentation will be given by representatives of WYG, the consultants appointed to prepare the Banbury Masterplan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and to note the progress being made. 

(2)               To receive a presentation by WYG.

(3)               To consider proceeding to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

Resolved

(1)      That the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and the progress being made be noted. 

(2)      That the WYG presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be noted.

(3)      That it be agreed to proceed to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report and gave a presentation on the development of the Banbury Masterplan. The presentation had been put together by representatives of WYG, the consultants appointed to prepare the Banbury Masterplan, but who had been unable to attend the meeting.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning explained that, like the Bicester Masterplan, the Banbury Masterplan contained a set of strategic proposals for the future development of the town to ensure the development of the town proceeded in a holistic, planned, coordinated way. It would be used to provide the detailed underpinning for the Banbury chapter of the Local Plan for the District which was currently out for consultation and due for Examination in 2013.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Mr Malcolm Finch, founder of the Hanwell Fields Development Action Group (HFDAG), addressed Executive.

In response to Mr Finch’s address, the Chairman confirmed that the consultation undertaken on the emerging Local Plan fulfilled all of the statutory requirements and significant public consultation would take place on both the Local Plan and the Banbury Masterplan as the importance of engaging and obtaining the views of the residents in the district was recognised and their contribution welcomed.

The Lead Member for planning explained that as part of the preparation process of the Banbury Masterplan, consultants had prepared a conceptual version of the Masterplan. The consultants had gathered information and liaised with key stakeholders, including district, town and county councillors, the college, local businesses through Banbury Town Centre Partnership and Banbury Chamber of Commerce and neighbouring Parish Councils. Engagement had so far included a series of workshops and one to one interviews.

Following consideration by the Executive of the conceptual Masterplan there would be a deeper examination of infrastructure needs of the town including future education, health, green infrastructure and leisure requirements. The final draft Masterplan for Banbury would be consulted on in Autumn 2012.

Resolved

(1)               That the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Banbury and the progress being made be noted. 

(2)               That the WYG presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be noted.

(3)               That it be agreed to proceed to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan.

Reasons

The Masterplan contains a set of strategic proposals for the future development of the town to ensure the development of the town proceeds in a holistic, planned, coordinated way.

Options

Option One:              To take no action

Option Two:             To accept the recommendation

Option Three:          To continue with a piecemeal approach to development that fails to ensure integration with the existing town or to ensure that opportunities are realised for the benefit of residents and businesses in Banbury.

** Please note that the appendix to this report, Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal, will be circulated separately to the main agenda pack as it will be printed in colour **

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To seek the approval of the Executive to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)       To consider the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result.

(2)       To approve the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal accordingly.

(3)    To resolve, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

Resolved

(1)   That the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result be noted.

(2)   That the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal be approved.

(3)  That, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Oxford Canal Conservation Area be designated with immediate effect.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought approval of the Executive to designate the Oxford Canal Conservation Area with immediate effect.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning reported that the designation of part of the Oxford Canal as a Conservation Area aimed to ensure that the special character and appearance of the area could be identified and protected, through ensuring that any future development preserves or enhances that identified special character. If approved, the document would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the conservation area and its setting. Additionally, it would form a starting point for a heritage partnership agreement with the Canal & Rivers Trust, attempting to consider the maintenance and management of the canal.

The Executive commended the officers who had worked on developing the document.

Resolved

(1)               That the representations received following consultation and the changes made to the draft conservation area appraisal and to the proposed conservation area boundary as a result be noted.

(2)               That the conservation area appraisal for the Oxford Canal be approved.

(3)               That, under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Oxford Canal Conservation Area be designated with immediate effect.

Reasons

The area has been identified as an area of special architectural or historic interest, and as such, the Council is duty bound to designate a conservation area under section 69 of The Act.

The document sets out the reasons why the area is of such interest and justifies its designation. Such justification will be of use to planning officers and inspectors when determining applications along the route of the canal.

The document should form a starting point for a heritage partnership agreement with the Canal & Rivers Trust, attempting to consider the maintenance and management of the canal.

Options

Councillor Nigel Morris left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To consider a proposed submission by Cherwell District Council to the Heseltine Review.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To report on the proposed CDC draft response.

(2)               To consider the views of the Executive and adopt the attached draft CDC response.

Resolved

(1)      That the proposed Cherwell District Council draft response to the Heseltine Review be adopted.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought consideration of a proposed submission by Cherwell District Council to the Heseltine Review.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Estates and the Economy explained that in autumn 2011 the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Business asked Lord Heseltine to undertake an independent review of how spending Departments and other relevant public sector bodies interacted with the private sector and to assess their capacity to deliver pro-growth policies.

The submission from Cherwell District Council focussed around two of the 4 themes being examined by the Review: the capacity of departments to deliver pro-growth policies and how departments interact with the private sector.

Resolved

(1)               That the proposed Cherwell District Council draft response to the Heseltine Review be adopted.

Reasons

This was an opportunity to submit observations to the Heseltine Review from a Cherwell District Council perspective.

This was an opportunity to build a dialogue with the Review Team to secure policy changes of benefit to the Cherwell District.

Options

Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

To inform the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2013/14, approve 2013/14 budget strategy and to agree budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2013/14 budget and update the current position of our LGRR project

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To note the updated MTFS forecast for the Council’s revenue budget for 2013/14 to 2016/17.

(2)          To endorse the overall 2012/13 budget strategy and service and financial planning process set out in the report.

(3)          To Ccnsider and agree the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2013/14 budget process. (Appendix 1 and 2)

(4)          To note the current position in relation to council tax support localisation detailed in Para 2.12.

(5)          To note the current position in relation to business rates localisation detailed in Para 2.17.

Resolved

(1)      That the updated MTFS forecast for the Council’s revenue budget for 2013/14 to 2016/17 be noted.

(2)      That the overall 2012/13 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be endorsed.

(3)      To the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2013/14 budget process be agreed.

(4)      That the current position in relation to council tax support localisation be noted.

(5)      That the current position in relation to business rates localisation be noted.

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which informed the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2013/14, approve 2013/14 budget strategy and to agree budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2013/14 budget and update the current position of our Local Government Resources Review project

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Financial Management reported that the council’s financial settlement from central Government was not yet finalised and further adjustments to the proposals may be required.

In response to a comment from Councillor Tim Emptage, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group, regarding business rates localisation and the proposals for pooling amongst a number of Oxfordshire authorities, the Lead Member for Financial Management explained that discussions with other councils were ongoing to develop the financial models, understand what additional financial benefits a pooling arrangement could deliver, what the risks are, agree the principles of the proposed pool and how any additional funds should be shared. The deadline for submitting formal applications to pool was 19 October 2012.

Resolved

(1)               That the updated MTFS forecast for the Council’s revenue budget for 2013/14 to 2016/17 be noted.

(2)               That the overall 2013/14 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be endorsed.

(1)               To the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2013/14 budget process be agreed.

(2)               That the current position in relation to council tax support localisation be noted.

(3)               That the current position in relation to business rates localisation be noted.

Reasons

The Medium term Financial Strategy I currently being refreshed to take account of the LGRR and the strategy along with a forecast refresh will be reported as part of the budget reporting framework.

The Council needs to set guidelines and a timetable for the preparation of draft estimates for 2013/14.  These guidelines should support the objectives contained in the Corporate Plan, Service Plans and the Medium Term Financial Strategy which is currently being refreshed and will be presented for approval in December 2012.

In September 2012 the Executive received an update report on the Local Government Resource Review (LGRR) including the introduction of localised Council Tax Support to replace Council Tax Benefit and changes to the way in which business rates are collected and distributed. This report provides progress since that report.

Options

None

The following report(s) contain exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) 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).

No representations have been received from the public requesting that this item be considered in public.

Members are reminded that whilst the following item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them 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(s) of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 2 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 they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Exempt Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

This report is exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved

(1)      As set out in the exempt decision notice.

(2)      As set out in the exempt decision notice.

(3)      As set out in the exempt decision notice.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted an exempt report which advised Executive of land negotiations.

Resolved

(1)               As set out in the exempt minute.

(2)               As set out in the exempt minute.

(3)               As set out in the exempt minute.

Reasons

As set out in the exempt minute.

Options

As set out in the exempt minute.