Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

1.    Members of the public were permitted to film, broadcast and report on the meeting, subject to the efficient running of the meeting not being affected.

2.    The Chairman welcomed Scott Barnes to his first meeting of Executive. Scott had been appointed as the Director of Strategy and Commissioning for Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council following the recent management restructure.

3.    The Chairman explained that this would be Martin Henry’s, the Director of Resources, last meeting of Executive as he was leaving Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Councils. On behalf of the Executive, the Chairman thanked the Director of Resources for the contribution he had made to the council and wished him all the best for the future.

4.    The Chairman noted that Calvin Bell, Director of Development, would also be leaving Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Councils at the end of March and conveyed Executive’s gratitude for his contribution to the council and best wishes for the future. 

** Please note that due to the size of the document, appendix 1 to this report will be published and circulated separately to the main agenda pack **

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval of a draft Kidlington Masterplan for formal consultation.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the Draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan for formal public consultation.

1.2       To authorise the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan be approved for formal public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought approval of a draft Kidlington Masterplan for formal consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft Kidlington Framework Masterplan be approved for formal public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

Reasons

A Draft Kidlington Masterplan has been prepared for the purpose of public consultation. The Masterplan expands and provides further details to the objectives and policies contained in Local Plan Part 1 and benefits from extensive research carried out by the appointed consultants.

Preparation of the Masterplan has been supported by stakeholder engagement and detailed discussions with Kidlington Parish Council’s strategy group. There is now a need for a formal period of public consultation to obtain wider views and to meet statutory requirements for the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents. Members are recommended to approve the Draft Masterplan for that purpose.

Alternative options

Option 1: To delay consultation: A consultation now will provide officers with the opportunity to progress the Masterplan to completion. There has been some delay due the need to consider Local Plan Part 1 in its adopted form. Kidlington Parish Council’s strategy group is supportive of a public consultation being undertaken as soon as possible.

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the Masterplan: The Draft Masterplan has been produced having regard to an extensive evidence base and stakeholder engagement. It is considered by officers to be an appropriate consultation document. Following the consultation, there is the potential for further refinement in the light of representations received.

Report of Head of Development Management

Purpose of report

To consider the Local Enforcement Plan.

Recommendations   

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To adopt the Local Enforcement Plan (Appendix 1). 

Resolved

(1)          That the Local Enforcement Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be adopted.

The Head of Development Management submitted a report which sought consideration of the Local Enforcement Plan.

Resolved

(1)          That the Local Enforcement Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be adopted.

Reasons

Paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recommends that local planning authorities consider publishing a Local Enforcement Plan (LEP) to manage enforcement proactively, in a way that is appropriate to their area.

Alternative options

Not to agree to adopt the LEP. This would inhibit the Planning Enforcement Team’s ability to effectively manage breaches of planning control. It would also forego the opportunity to improve the public’s understanding of the planning enforcement system.

Report of Director of Operational Delivery

Purpose of report

To consider a grant scheme to encourage community celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90^th year.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

1.1       To agree the grant scheme as outlined in the report.

Resolved

(1)          That the Queen Elizabeth II’s 90^th Birthday Celebration grants scheme be approved.

The Director of Operational Delivery submitted a report which sought consideration of a grant scheme to encourage community celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90^th year.

Resolved

(1)          That the Queen Elizabeth II’s 90^th Birthday Celebration grants scheme be approved.

Reasons

The proposed grant scheme will honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It will encourage community cohesion and neighbourliness in Cherwell’s parishes and urban communities.

Alternative options

Option 1: Consideration has been given to extending eligibility to informal neighbourhood groups. This has not been recommended because the money would be paid over to individuals rather than established, accountable organisations.

Option 2: Consideration has been given to restricting grants to events taking place on the Queen’s birthday (21 April), or her official birthday weekend (10-12 June). Given the work involved in organising an event and the short lead-in times to apply for this grant, it is considered fairer to extend eligibility to events throughout the summer.

Option 3: Not to establish a grants scheme to celebrate the Queen’s 90^th year.

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of report

To consider a draft response to the Government’s consultation exercise on New Homes Bonus.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Consider the Government’s consultation document “New Homes Bonus: Sharpening the Incentive” attached at Appendix 1.

1.2         Consider the draft response to be submitted by this Council as set out in Appendix 2.

1.3         To delegate authority to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to finalise the response for submission to the Government by 10 March 2016.

Resolved

(1)          That the Government’s consultation document “New Homes Bonus: Sharpening the Incentive” be noted.

(2)          That the draft response to be submitted by this Council (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed.

(3)               That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to finalise the response for submission to the Government by 10 March 2016.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which sought consideration of a draft response to the Government’s consultation exercise on New Homes Bonus.

Resolved

(1)          That the Government’s consultation document “New Homes Bonus: Sharpening the Incentive” be noted.

(2)          That the draft response to be submitted by this Council (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed.

(3)               That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to finalise the response for submission to the Government by 10 March 2016.

Reasons

On 17 December 2015 the Government released a consultation paper on New Homes Bonus called “New Homes Bonus: Sharpening the Incentive”. The report sets out a number of options that are being considered and seeks views on them.

It is recommended that the draft response to the consultation paper is considered and delegated authority granted to finalise the submission prior to the deadline which is 10 March 2016.

Alternative options

Executive could decide not to consider the attached draft response but this is rejected as it is in the Council’s interest to respond to such a document.

Report of Head of Transformation

Purpose of report

To present the Council’s performance for the period 01 October – 31 December 2015 (quarter three), as measured through the performance management framework.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the achievements referred to in paragraph 3.1 (Table 1).

1.2         To identify any performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports identified in paragraph 3.1 (Table 2).

1.3         To note any oral feedback on performance issues from Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 23 February 2016 provided directly to the Leader.

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted: CBP1 2.4: Complete Bicester Town Centre regeneration including the Council's Commercial Building; CBP3 1.1a Deliver 150 units of affordable housing (Pledge); CBP 3 1.3a Provide housing/grant advice to encourage private sector landlords to improve their stock; CBP3 2.5: Contribute to the creation and/or safeguarding of 200 jobs; CBP3 7.3 Processing of Major Applications within 13 weeks; CBP3 7.4 Processing of Minor Applications within 8 weeks; and, CBP3 7.5 Processing of Other Planning Applications within 8 weeks.

(2)          That the following performance related matters be identified for review or consideration in future reports: CBP1 4.3 Establish new management arrangements for Stratfield Break Sports Group; CBP2 2.1b: Number of fly tips recorded; CBP4 6.1 Percentage of Council Tax collected; and, CBP4 6.2 Percentage of NNDR collected.

(3)          That it be noted that there was no feedback or referrals on performance issues from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 23 February 2016 provided directly to the Leader.

The Head of Transformation submitted a report which presented the Council’s performance for the period 01 October – 31 December 2015 (quarter three), as measured through the performance management framework.

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted: CBP1 2.4: Complete Bicester Town Centre regeneration including the Council's Commercial Building; CBP3 1.1a Deliver 150 units of affordable housing (Pledge); CBP 3 1.3a Provide housing/grant advice to encourage private sector landlords to improve their stock; CBP3 2.5: Contribute to the creation and/or safeguarding of 200 jobs; CBP3 7.3 Processing of Major Applications within 13 weeks; CBP3 7.4 Processing of Minor Applications within 8 weeks; and, CBP3 7.5 Processing of Other Planning Applications within 8 weeks.

(2)          That the following performance related matters be identified for review or consideration in future reports: CBP1 4.3 Establish new management arrangements for StratfieldBreak Sports Group; CBP2 2.1b: Number of fly tips recorded; CBP4 6.1 Percentage of Council Tax collected; and, CBP4 6.2 Percentage of NNDR collected.

(3)          That it be noted that there was no feedback or referrals on performance issues from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 23 February 2016 provided directly to the Leader.

Reasons

This is a report of the Council’s performance in the third quarter of 2015/16 measured through the performance management framework. The report covers key areas of performance against the Council’s Business Plan, incorporating its public pledges, Corporate Equalities Plan and Partnerships.

Alternative options

Option 1: To note the report

Option 2: To request additional information on items and/or add to the work Programme for review and/or refer to Overview and Scrutiny

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of report

To summarise the Council’s Revenue and Capital position as at the end of the first nine months of the financial year 2015-16 and projections for the full 2015/16 period.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To note the projected revenue and capital position at December 2015.      

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at December 2015 be noted.        

The Director of Resources submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Revenue and Capital position as at the end of the first nine months of the financial year 2015-16 and projections for the full 2015/16 period.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at December 2015 be noted.        

Reasons

In line with good practice budget monitoring is undertaken on a monthly basis within the Council. The revenue and capital position is reported monthly to the Joint Management Team and formally to the Budget Planning Committee on a quarterly basis.

The revenue and capital expenditure in Q3 has been subject to a detailed review by Officers and reported monthly to management as part of the corporate dashboard.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2015-16 Financial Targets for Revenue and Capital. As this is a monitoring report, no further options have been considered. However, members may wish to request that officers provide additional information.