Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2013 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To receive an update on the High Speed Rail - HS2 scheme and Cherwell District.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To note the process that has been introduced by HS2 Ltd for Safeguarding.

(2)          To note the CDC response to the HS2 Environmental Statement.

(3)          To note the on-going Legal Challenge to the HS2 scheme and next steps.

Resolved

(1)          That the process that has been introduced by HS2 Ltd for Safeguarding be noted.

(2)          That the CDC response to the HS2 Environmental Statement be noted.

(3)          That the on-going Legal Challenge to the HS2 scheme and next steps be noted.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which provided an update on the High Speed Rail - HS2 scheme and Cherwell District.

Resolved

(1)          That the process that has been introduced by HS2 Ltd for Safeguarding be noted.

(2)          That the CDC response to the HS2 Environmental Statement be noted.

(3)          That the on-going Legal Challenge to the HS2 scheme and next steps be noted.

Reasons

Cherwell District Council continues to take appropriate steps to respond to the HS2 scheme. This includes supporting legal challenge when necessary and engaging directly with HS2 Ltd to secure the best possible mitigation for the District should the scheme be approved by Parliament.

Options

Option One: To note the recommendations relating to CDC actions and discretion.

Option Two: To reject these recommendations.

Option Three: To propose an alternative approach.

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To consider the introduction of a District wide programme of Article 4 Directions to preserve the Character and Appearance of Areas with Heritage Significance.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)           To approve the process of rolling-out a programme of Article 4 Directions.

Resolved

(1)          That the process of rolling-out a programme of Article 4 Directions be approved

(2)          That officers be requested to include an article in Cherwell Link on Article 4 Directions.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought consideration of the introduction of a District wide programme of Article 4 Directions to preserve the Character and Appearance of Areas with Heritage Significance.

Resolved

(1)          That the process of rolling-out a programme of Article 4 Directions be approved

(2)          That officers be requested to include an article in Cherwell Link on Article 4 Directions.

Reasons

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires local authorities to ensure that local heritage is protected. This is done by understanding local heritage assets and managing change to ensure that the significance is not harmed. The criteria for Article 4 Directions are therefore straight-forward and transparent to aid both Cherwell District Council and the local community in managing local heritage assets appropriately thereby ensuring that their significance is not harmed.

To increase public awareness.

Options

Option One: To accept the programme of Article 4 Directions with phased implementation.

Option Two: To decline the programme of Article 4 Directions as described.

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Summary

To seek support in principle for the establishment, through the annual budget setting process, of a capital budget against which the Housing and Regeneration Service can draw when taking enforcement action to bring empty homes back into use, or when needing to undertake Works-in-Default following the failure of a notice recipient to comply with an enforcement notice requiring remedial works.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To support the establishment of a capital budget, through the annual budget setting process for 2014-15, and in successive years, that will enable enforcement powers delegated to the Head of Regeneration to be utilised effectively, and without the need for the necessary funding to be sought separately in each particular case.

Resolved

(1)          That the establishment of a capital budget, through the annual budget setting process for 2014-15, and in successive years, that will enable enforcement powers delegated to the Head of Regeneration to be utilised effectively, and without the need for the necessary funding to be sought separately in each particular case be supported.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which sought support in principle for the establishment, through the annual budget setting process, of a capital budget against which the Housing and Regeneration Service could draw when taking enforcement action to bring empty homes back into use, or when needing to undertake Works-in-Default following the failure of a notice recipient to comply with an enforcement notice requiring remedial works.

Resolved

(1)          That the establishment of a capital budget, through the annual budget setting process for 2014-15, and in successive years, that will enable enforcement powers delegated to the Head of Regeneration to be utilised effectively, and without the need for the necessary funding to be sought separately in each particular case be supported.

Reasons

Members’ concern about the waste represented by long-term empty homes, and their desire to get them back into use is underpinned and ultimately dependent upon the Council’s preparedness to take enforcement action in appropriate cases. It is effectively a last resort, but one that will not only get specific properties back into use, but also demonstrate very clearly to other owners of empty property that the Council is serious about reducing the number of empty home in the district. Without recourse to enforcement, where appropriate, the Council could appear toothless.

The Council is responsible for taking action to address unsatisfactory housing conditions and uses a variety of enforcement notices to achieve that. In cases where those notices are ignored the Council needs to be able to undertake Work-in default to ensure compliance.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing is authorised to take empty-dwelling enforcement action (EDMOs), to serve notices to remedy unsatisfactory housing and to undertake Work-in-default action arising, but requires funding to be available it that is to happen.

The most efficient and effective means of providing the necessary funding is by establishing a specific budget and having funds in place at the beginning of each year.

Options

Option One: Support the principle that a capital budget should be established so as to facilitate and enable effective housing enforcement action; and also support the principle that this budget should be determined, on an annual basis, through the budget setting process.

Option Two: Decline to support this approach and require the Head of Regeneration and Housing to seek funding, on a case by case basis, by means of reports to the Executive (as is currently the situation).

Report of Head of Community Services

Summary

To give Members a progress report on the Bicester Sports Village project.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To note the progress on the construction of Phase 1 (grass pitches, cycle track and landscaping) and the progress on the procurement process for Phase 2 (design and construction of a pavilion and car park)

Resolved

(1)          That the progress on the construction of Phase 1 (grass pitches, cycle track and landscaping) and the progress on the procurement process for Phase 2 (design and construction of a pavilion and car park) be noted.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report which provided a progress report on the Bicester Sports Village project.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress on the construction of Phase 1 (grass pitches, cycle track and landscaping) and the progress on the procurement process for Phase 2 (design and construction of a pavilion and car park) be noted.

Reasons

This is a Project Board update report. There are no Key Issues or decisions required at this stage. Project Issues are captured on the Issues log and reviewed by the Project Board.

Options

Option One: The Project has been approved and is progressing in accordance with these approvals. There are no other Options being considered.

Report of Head of Transformation and Corporate Performance Manager

Summary

This report covers the Council’s performance for the period 01 April to 30 June 2013 as measured through the Performance Management Framework.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To note the many achievements referred to in paragraph 1.3.

(2)          To identify any performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports identified in paragraph 1.4.

(3)          To note progress on issues raised in the Quarter two report highlighted in paragraph 1.5.

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·         Processing of major applications within 13 weeks has significantly improved to 68.75% this quarter, compared to 25% at the end of Quarter 4, exceeding the target of 50%.

·         The number of households living in temporary accommodation has reduced to well below target. 34 have been placed in temporary accommodation with an expected target of 41. Work is further progressing with partners (Registered Social Landlords) to ensure delays in ‘move-ons’ and ‘turn arounds’ is kept to a minimum.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·          The amount of waste recycled this quarter has improved to 58% compared to the last quarter of 55%, the target for this year is to maintain above 57%. The Street cleansing team have completed a ‘Litter Blitz’ week with the community of Hardwick. This involves road shows, swap shops, collection of large bulky items for free and more importantly engaging with the community and educating about recycling.

·          EcoTown work is due to start on site at the initial housing development at Northwest Bicester in September. A2 Dominion will begin construction of the spine road to serve the development. The construction of the first homes is expected to begin in early 2014.

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving District

·           The new sports pitches at South West Bicester are making progress, the contractor has completed the sports pitch construction including the drainage, next stage is to seed the pitch. The cycle track will then be constructed in August/September.

·           Supporting the local health sector in building a new community hospital in Bicester has progressed; construction is underway of the new facility.

           An Accessible Value for Money Council

·           Improvements to the website have started with a new online form systems being implemented; this will allow the customer more options and a customer friendly online form to report issues. This will also extend to include more of the Councils services online. 

(2)          That the following performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·           Processing of Minor Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Red, this is 51.72% compared with 73.74% last quarter. The target is 65%. Processing of Other Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Amber, this is 76.56% compared to 86.28% last quarter, the target is 80%. This is due to the focus concentrating on the submission and process of Major applications which takes longer to complete. Priority action is being enforced by seconding the Development Management Staff; this together with new appointments to the team will ensure maintaining throughput of applications and ensuring they are manageable moving forward.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·           Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill is reporting as Red, 6566 tonnages against the target of 5900. The landfill tonnages are ahead of expectation. The waste and recycling team are working on reducing this for the next quarter.

·           The number of Flytips is reporting as Amber, across the District there have been 100  ...  view the full decision text for item 36.

The Head of Transformation submitted a report which presented the Council’s performance for the period 01 April to 30 June 2013 as measured through the Performance Management Framework.

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·         Processing of major applications within 13 weeks has significantly improved to 68.75% this quarter, compared to 25% at the end of Quarter 4, exceeding the target of 50%.

·         The number of households living in temporary accommodation has reduced to well below target. 34 have been placed in temporary accommodation with an expected target of 41. Work is further progressing with partners (Registered Social Landlords) to ensure delays in ‘move-ons’ and ‘turn arounds’ is kept to a minimum.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·          The amount of waste recycled this quarter has improved to 58% compared to the last quarter of 55%, the target for this year is to maintain above 57%. The Street cleansing team have completed a ‘Litter Blitz’ week with the community of Hardwick. This involves road shows, swap shops, collection of large bulky items for free and more importantly engaging with the community and educating about recycling.

·          EcoTown work is due to start on site at the initial housing development at Northwest Bicester in September. A2 Dominion will begin construction of the spine road to serve the development. The construction of the first homes is expected to begin in early 2014.

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving District

·           The new sports pitches at South West Bicester are making progress, the contractor has completed the sports pitch construction including the drainage, next stage is to seed the pitch. The cycle track will then be constructed in August/September.

·           Supporting the local health sector in building a new community hospital in Bicester has progressed; construction is underway of the new facility.

           An Accessible Value for Money Council

·           Improvements to the website have started with a new online form systems being implemented; this will allow the customer more options and a customer friendly online form to report issues. This will also extend to include more of the Councils services online. 

(2)          That the following performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·           Processing of Minor Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Red, this is 51.72% compared with 73.74% last quarter. The target is 65%. Processing of Other Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Amber, this is 76.56% compared to 86.28% last quarter, the target is 80%. This is due to the focus concentrating on the submission and process of Major applications which takes longer to complete. Priority action is being enforced by seconding the Development Management Staff; this together with new appointments to the team will ensure maintaining throughput of applications and ensuring they are manageable moving forward.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·           Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill is reporting as Red, 6566 tonnages against the target of 5900. The landfill tonnages are ahead of expectation. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Head of Finance and Procurement

Summary

This report summarises the Council’s Revenue and Capital performance for the first 3 months of the financial year 2013/14 and projections for the full 2013/14 period. These are measured by the budget monitoring function and reported via the Performance Management Framework (PMF) informing the 2013/14 budget process currently underway.

To receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy during 2013/14 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)             To note the projected revenue & capital position at June 2013.

(2)             To note the quarter 1 (Q1) performance against the 2013/14 investment strategy and the financial returns from the two funds.

(3)             To note the contents and the progress against the Corporate Procurement Action Plan (detailed in Appendix 1) and the Procurement savings achieved at June 2013 (detailed in Appendix 2).

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue & capital position at June 2013 be noted.

(2)          That the quarter 1 (Q1) performance against the 2013/14 investment strategy and the financial returns from the two funds be noted.

(3)          That the contents and the progress against the Corporate Procurement Action Plan and the Procurement savings achieved at June 2013 be noted.

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Revenue and Capital performance for the first 3 months of the financial year 2013/14 and projections for the full 2013/14 period. These were measured by the budget monitoring function and reported via the Performance Management Framework (PMF) informing the 2013/14 budget process currently underway.

The report also presented information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy during 2013/14 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue & capital position at June 2013 be noted.

(2)          That the quarter 1 (Q1) performance against the 2013/14 investment strategy and the financial returns from the two funds be noted.

(3)          That the contents and the progress against the Corporate Procurement Action Plan and the Procurement savings achieved at June 2013 be noted.

Reasons

This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2013/14 Financial Targets for Revenue, Capital, Treasury and Procurement Monitoring.

Options

Option One: To review current performance levels and considers any actions arising.

Option Two: To approve or reject the recommendations above or request that Officers provide additional information.