Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2016 and the Special meeting of Executive held on 18 July 2016.

The minutes of the meetings held on 4 July 2016 and 18 July 2016 were agreed as correct records 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.    He would be changing the order of the agenda taking agenda item 8, Neighbourhood Planning: Decision on whether to proceed to a Referendum for the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan and agenda item 9, Air Quality Update before agenda item 7. All subsequent agenda items would be considered in the order printed on the agenda.

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of Report

The Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan has been examined by an independent examiner.  The examiner has produced an Examiner’s report and the Council as the Local Planning Authority is required to consider the report recommendations and determine whether the draft Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan incorporating the modifications set out at Appendix 1 to this report should proceed to a referendum and confirm the area covered by the referendum.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve all of the Examiner’s recommendations and modifications to enable the Plan to proceed to a referendum;

1.2         To approve the modifications to the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendations, to authorise the issue of a decision statement to that effect, and to approve the making of any minor presentational changes necessary to ready the Plan for referendum; 

1.3         To approve the area for the referendum as recommended by the examiner to be the administrative boundary of Bloxham Parish (which is the approved designated neighbourhood area) and to note that there will be no extension to the area.

Resolved

(1)          That all of the Examiner’s recommendations and modifications be approved to enable the Plan to proceed to a referendum.

(2)          That the modifications to the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan, in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendations, be approved, the issue of a decision statement to that effect be authorised and the making of any minor presentational changes necessary to ready the Plan for referendum be approved.

(3)          That the area for the referendum as recommended by the examiner to be the administrative boundary of Bloxham Parish (which is the approved designated neighbourhood area) be approved and it be noted that there would be no extension to the area.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report to seek a decision on whether to proceed to a Referendum for the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning explained that the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan had been examined by an independent examiner.  The examiner has produced an Examiner’s report and the Council as the Local Planning Authority was required to consider the report recommendations and determine whether the draft Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan incorporating the modifications should proceed to a referendum and confirm the area covered by the referendum.

Resolved

(1)          That all of the Examiner’s recommendations and modifications be approved to enable the Plan to proceed to a referendum.

(2)          That the modifications to the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan, in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendations, be approved, the issue of a decision statement to that effect be authorised and the making of any minor presentational changes necessary to ready the Plan for referendum be approved.

(3)          That the area for the referendum as recommended by the examiner to be the administrative boundary of Bloxham Parish (which is the approved designated neighbourhood area) be approved and it be noted that there wouldl be no extension to the area.

Reasons

The Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan as recommended for modification by the Examiner meets the necessary legal and procedural requirements. The Bloxham Neighbourhood plan as recommended for modification by the Examiner should therefore proceed to a referendum.

Alternative options

Option One - Not to approve some of the Examiner’s recommendations and to proceed to a referendum. Where a LPA proposes to make a decision that differs from the Examiner’s recommendation then there would need to be further consultation. This would take more time and would have cost implications.

Option Two - Not to accept the Examiner’s recommendations and not to proceed to a referendum. This option can only be justified if the Examiner recommends that the Plan should not proceed to a referendum, or the Council is not satisfied that the plan has met the procedural and legal requirements.

Option Three - To extend the area in which the referendum is to take place. The Neighbourhood Plan has been produced with public involvement for the area designated.

Report of Public Protection Manager

Purpose of report

To update the Executive on progress with the draft Air Quality Action Plan for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

 1.1        To note the current position on the review and assessment of air quality in Cherwell; and

1.2      To approve the draft Air Quality Action Plan for public and stakeholder consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the current position on the review and assessment of air quality in Cherwell be noted.

(2)          That the draft Air Quality Action Plan be approved for public and stakeholder consultation.

The Public Protection Manager submitted a report to update the Executive on progress with the draft Air Quality Action Plan for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Les Sibley addressed Executive.

Resolved

(1)          That the current position on the review and assessment of air quality in Cherwell be noted.

(2)          That the draft Air Quality Action Plan be approved for public and stakeholder consultation.

Reasons

The production of an Air Quality Action Plan is mandatory once an order to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has been issued. The Council has issued an order for each of the four AQMAs: Hennef Way in Banbury; Horsefair/North Bar in Banbury; Bicester Road in Kidlington; and, Kings End/Queens Avenue in Bicester, declared.

Alternative options

Option 1: The Council could choose not to adopt an AQAP. However once an AQMA has been declared the Council is required to produce an AQAP and so for this reason this is not an alternative option.

Report of Community Services Manager

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the 2016-18 Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

(draft attached as Appendix 1 to this report)   

Recommendation

The Executive is recommended:

1.1     To approve the proposed Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan 2016-18

Resolved

(1)          That the Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan 2016-18 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

The Community Services Manager submitted a report to seek approval for the 2016-18 Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

Resolved

(1)          That the Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan 2016-18 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

Reasons

The Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan provides a framework of aims, actions and targets, the delivery of which ensures that the Council complies with both legislative and planning policy requirements relating to important wildlife sites, habitats and species and good quality connected green spaces.

Alternative options

Option 1: To reject the Corporate BAP 2016-18. This is not proposed as the Council would not be able to clearly demonstrate that it is meeting biodiversity legislation and planning policy requirements.

Option 2: To amend the Corporate BAP 2016-18

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Purpose of report

To consider the award of contracts to supply diesel to Cherwell District Council.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the acceptance of the recommended tender for the supply of diesel for October 2016-September 2018.

Resolved

(1)          That the acceptance of the recommended tender (Certas Energy UK Ltd) for the supply of diesel for October 2016-September 2018 be approved.

The Chief Finance Officer submitted a report to consider the award of contracts to supply diesel to Cherwell District Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the acceptance of the recommended tender (Certas Energy UK Ltd) for the supply of diesel for October 2016-September 2018 be approved.

Reasons

Following a ‘best practice’ procurement exercise Certas Energy UK Ltd have submitted the lowest cost tender for the supply of Diesel to Cherwell District Council for the next two years and the Executive is recommended to authorise the award.

Alternative options

No reasonable alternatives

Report of Director – Strategy and Commissioning

Purpose of report

To set out the Strategy for Consultation and Engagement for Cherwell District Council, and the action plan for the consultations and engagements for 2016/17.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

 1.1        Agree the three year Strategy for Consultation and Engagement.

1.2         Agree the consultation and engagement action plan for 2016/17 noting the areas of joint working with partner agencies and developing closer links with our communities.

Resolved

(1)          That the three year Strategy for Consultation and Engagement 2016-2019 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)          That the consultation and engagement action plan for 2016/17 be agreed and the areas of joint working with partner agencies and developing closer links with our communities be noted.

The Director – Strategy and Commissioning submitted a report to set out the Strategy for Consultation and Engagement for Cherwell District Council, and the action plan for the consultations and engagements for 2016/17.

Resolved

(1)          That the three year Strategy for Consultation and Engagement 2016-2019 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(2)          That the consultation and engagement action plan for 2016/17 be agreed and the areas of joint working with partner agencies and developing closer links with our communities be noted.

Reasons

The council has undertaken regular consultations and engagement events since 2009 and the new strategy will build on this foundation. The strategy is supported by meaningful and relevant action plans to provide the detail for how this work will be carried out.

The 2016-17 action plan demonstrates how the council will continue to deliver consultations and public engagement and thereby support the stated equalities objectives over the coming year. Progress will be reported via the performance management framework on a quarterly basis. The equalities objectives are:

·         Fair Access and Customer Satisfaction

·         Tackling Inequality and Deprivation

·         Building Strong and Cohesive Communities

·         Positive Engagement and Understanding

·         Demonstrating Our Commitment to Equality

Alternative options

Option 1: To note the report

Option 2: To request additional information on items within this report

Report of Director – Strategy & Commissioning

Purpose of report

To provide an update on the Cherwell District Business Plan progress to the end of Quarter One 2016/17.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Note the exceptions highlighted and proposed actions.

1.2         Note that any feedback on performance issues from Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 1 September 2016 will be provided directly to the Leader of the Council.

1.3         Note the new reporting style which has been designed to improve the presentation of performance reporting.

1.4         Agree that, where appropriate, judgement measures used in the current business plan reporting are augmented or replaced by more specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely (SMART) measures.

Resolved

(1)          That the exceptions highlighted and proposed actions be noted.

(2)          That it be noted that there was no feedback on performance issues from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 1 September 2016 provided directly to the Leader.

(3)          That the new reporting style which had been designed to improve the presentation of performance reporting be noted.

(4)          That, it be agreed that where appropriate, judgement measures used in the current business plan reporting be augmented or replaced by more specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely (SMART) measures.

The Director – Strategy & Commissioning submitted a report to provide an update on the Cherwell District Business Plan progress to the end of Quarter One 2016/17.

Resolved

(1)          That the exceptions highlighted and proposed actions be noted.

(2)          That it be noted that there was no feedback on performance issues from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 1 September 2016 provided directly to The Leader.

(3)          That the new reporting style which had been designed to improve the presentation of performance reporting be noted.

(4)          That, it be agreed that where appropriate, judgement measures used in the current business plan reporting be augmented or replaced by more specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely (SMART) measures.

Reasons

This is the first quarterly performance report for the 2016/17 Business Plan. Commentary has been developed to focus on areas not performing at the required level and provide an explanation of what has happened, why it has happened and what are we doing to improve performance.

The revised reporting template uses infographics (displaying data in a graphical form to aid understanding) and focuses on exception reporting (concentrating on the issues).

Alternative options

Option 1: To request additional information on items and/or add to the work programme for review and/or refer to Overview and Scrutiny.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer

Purpose of Report

This report summarises the Council’s Revenue and Capital position as at the end of the first three months of the financial year 2016-17 and projections for the full year.

1.0    Recommendations

Executive Committee is recommended:

1.1     To note the projected revenue and capital position at June 2016.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at June 2016 be noted.

The Chief Finance Officer submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Revenue and Capital position as at the end of the first three months of the financial year 2016-17 and projections for the full year.

Resolved

(1)          That the projected revenue and capital position at June 2016 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 formulated in conjunction with the joint management team and reported formally to the Budget Planning Committee on a quarterly basis. The report is then considered by the Executive.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2016-17 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.

Report of Head of Transformation

Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to update the Executive on progress in relation to the development of a devolution deal between the Oxfordshire councils, the former Government ministers and the new Government ministers, and the associated study into options for the potential reform of local government within Oxfordshire, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1.        receive the independent study of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into options for local government reform in Oxfordshire, including the proposition of the district and city council leaders’ in respect of their preferred model arising from that study.

1.2       note that following discussions with the Department of Communities and Local Government, the leaders of the district, city and county councils have agreed to focus on identifying areas for collaborative working and the reshaping of a devolution deal that does not incorporate proposals for the reform of local government within Oxfordshire.

Resolved

(1)          That the independent study of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into options for local government reform in Oxfordshire, including the proposition of the district and city council leaders’ in respect of their preferred model arising from that study be received.

(2)          That it be noted that following discussions with the Department of Communities and Local Government, the leaders of the district and city councils have agreed to focus on identifying areas for collaborative working and the reshaping of a devolution deal.

The Head of Transformation submitted a report to update the Executive on progress in relation to the development of a devolution deal between the Oxfordshire councils, the former Government ministers and the new Government ministers, and the associated study into options for the potential reform of local government within Oxfordshire, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

At the discretion of the Chairman, County Councillor Lawrie Stratford addressed Executive on behalf of the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the independent study of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into options for local government reform in Oxfordshire, including the proposition of the district and city council leaders’ in respect of their preferred model arising from that study be received.

(2)          That it be noted that following discussions with the Department of Communities and Local Government, the leaders of the district and city councils have agreed to focus on identifying areas for collaborative working and the reshaping of a devolution deal.

Reasons

As a consequence of the recent changes in Government, including the appointment of a new Prime Minister and a new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government it has been made clear that local authorities should expect to see changes to Government priorities in the short term, including specifically in relation to devolution deals, local government reform and other areas of policy. DCLG officials have also confirmed that the focus and priorities of the Government will become clearer when the Autumn Statement is announced in/around December 2016, and through changes to business rates retention policy, which will be introduced through a new Bill, probably in January 2017.

In the meantime DCLG has made clear that the Government will not agree to any proposals for local government reform where those proposals do not have the agreement of the areas.

The leaders of the district and city councils have agreed that they will now focus on identifying areas for collaborative working and the reshaping of a devolution deal with the new Government. Consequently, it is not intended to seek decisions on the respective studies of the two independent consultants’, PwC and Grant Thornton, beyond formally receiving them. Discussions between the district and city councils will continue to take place over the forthcoming weeks with a view to achieving an acceptable devolution deal proposal.

Alternative options

Option 1:

To proceed with stakeholder consultation in respect of the district and city council leaders’ preferred model for a new local government structure within Oxfordshire.

This is rejected due to the advice given by DCLG that the Government and new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will not accept proposals for local government reform or indeed a devolution deal without the agreement of the areas, and wide support amongst key stakeholders.

To undertake stakeholder consultation on the district and city council leaders preferred model or indeed any other potential new structural model at this stage would risk wasting public funds when it is clear that the study undertaken by Grant Thornton, the county council consultants, has concluded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Report of Chief Executive and Commercial Director

Purpose of report

To notify Members of urgent action taken by the Chief Executive and Commercial Director as set out below

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To note the urgent action taken by the Chief Executive in relation to the budget and to refer this to full council for noting.

1.2      To note the urgent action taken by the Commercial Director in relation to the award of the contract.

Resolved

(1)          That the urgent action taken by the Chief Executive in relation to the budget be noted and it be referred to Full Council for noting.

(2)          That the urgent action taken by the Commercial Director in relation to the award of the contract be noted.

The Chief Executive and Commercial Director submitted a report to notify Members of urgent action taken by the Chief Executive and Commercial Director in relation to the contract award for the demolition of the Bolton Road car park.

Resolved

(1)          That the urgent action taken by the Chief Executive in relation to the budget be noted and it be referred to Full Council for noting.

(2)          That the urgent action taken by the Commercial Director in relation to the award of the contract be noted.

Reasons

The Chief Executive took urgent action(s) in consultation with the Chairman of the Council and the Lead Member for Financial Management to approve the allocation of £325,000 to this scheme.

The Commercial Director took urgent action in consultation with the Leader of the Council to approve the award of the contract to the preferred bidder

Alternative options

As this report is for the information of Members there are no alternative options to consider.

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Purpose of report

To advise Executive of the proposals recommended by the District Councils, the County Council, and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) as endorsed by the Health Improvement Board, to work jointly to provide housing related support services and accommodate single homeless from across the county for the next 3 years commencing from 1 April 2017.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To support the new proposals which provide a plan and include a financial contribution from Cherwell for a period of 3 years as calculated and recommended by the Oxfordshire Districts, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and Oxfordshire County Council.

1.2         To note and support the proposal for a new joint governance structure to procure and manage services through senior officer representation withdelegated authority.

1.3       To approve a financial contribution of £62,700pa (as calculated on Cherwell’s current use of hostels with 24 hour care) and required to be paid from Cherwell for 3 financial years commencing from 1 April 2017.

1.4       That Executive note that a further report on the longer term sustainability of single homeless pathway arrangements across the county be submitted within the 3 year period covered by this report.

Resolved

(1)          That the new proposals which provide a plan and include a financial contribution from Cherwell for a period of 3 years as calculated and recommended by the Oxfordshire Districts, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and Oxfordshire County Council be supported.

(2)          That the proposal for a new joint governance structure to procure and manage services through senior officer representation withdelegated authority be noted and supported.

(3)          That a financial contribution of £62,700pa (as calculated on Cherwell’s current use of hostels with 24 hour care) and required to be paid from Cherwell for 3 financial years commencing from 1 April 2017 be approved.

(4)          That it be noted that a further report on the longer term sustainability of single homeless pathway arrangements across the county would be submitted within the 3 year period covered by this report.

The of Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report to advise Executive of the proposals recommended by the District Councils, the County Council, and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) as endorsed by the Health Improvement Board, to work jointly to provide housing related support services and accommodate single homeless from across the county for the next 3 years commencing from 1 April 2017.

Resolved

(1)          That the new proposals which provide a plan and include a financial contribution from Cherwell for a period of 3 years as calculated and recommended by the Oxfordshire Districts, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and Oxfordshire County Council be supported.

(2)          That the proposal for a new joint governance structure to procure and manage services through senior officer representation withdelegated authority be noted and supported.

(3)          That a financial contribution of £62,700pa (as calculated on Cherwell’s current use of hostels with 24 hour care) and required to be paid from Cherwell for 3 financial years commencing from 1 April 2017 be approved.

(4)          That it be noted that a further report on the longer term sustainability of single homeless pathway arrangements across the county would be submitted within the 3 year period covered by this report.

Reasons

The new proposals have been a significant achievement and demonstrate excellent joint working across all partners. Officers have made considerable efforts to negotiate across the County to reach this stage and form these proposals. All parties have considered a full range of options to retain hostel beds for complex case with 24 hour support in Oxford, also to maintain and hopefully expand local service delivery to provide housing related support. This proposal provides a full overview of the preferred recommendations which will maintain the commitment to provide the current level of housing related support funding already allocated to Cherwell to be continued during the period of the agreement. This means that although Cherwell will need to contribute £62,700 per year to maintain the service for complex needs in Oxford, this also means housing related support investment will continue to be received in Cherwell during the next 3 years.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to agree the joint county plan and financial contribution as recommended for the next 3 years. This would result in Cherwell needing to fully fund and make its own arrangementsfor rough sleepers with multiple and complex needs. It would also result in the withdrawal of the housing related support funding currently received from the County and spent within the district.

The following items contain exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs 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 items have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider 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.

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

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

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Resolved

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved

That the exempt appendices be noted.

Exempt Report of Director of Operational Delivery

Resolved

(1)          That the review assessment and conclusions of the Council’s car parking service be noted.

(2)          That it be agreed not to commit to a long term lease or other arrangement which reduces the Council’s regeneration and investment flexibility.

(3)          That a procurement exercise to appoint a specialist operator to deliver the Council’s car parking services be supported.

(4)          That the invitation of tenders for a services concession contract which incentivises the operator to maximise revenue over the maximum concession period available under the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 (five years, or such longer period as the contractor would reasonably need to recoup any investment made by it to deliver the services (together with any return on its investment) be authorised.

(5)          That agreement be given to any such competitive tender contest incorporating a competitive dialogue process to maximise value to the Council.

(6)          That the opportunity through this process for a different charging regime which supports a balance of maximising income from car park assets with the wider economic growth and planning policy objectives of the Council to create attractive, sustainable and viable urban centres be considered further.

(7)          That this process be used as the opportunity to ensure consistency of charging between Bicester and Banbury.

(8)          That a requirement for bidders to price the introduction of modern revenue collection and parking control equipment which combines flexibility of payment options combined with technology based opportunities to vary their parking stay for customers be included in the tender process.

(9)          That, notwithstanding resolution (8) above, the opportunity for the Council to achieve improved value for money from this process by using its own capital resources to fund the required capital investment be explored.

(10)       That consideration be given as part of the proposed procurement process for improved and more flexible disabled parking provision in council car parks following an assessment of demand for such parking.

The Director of Operation Delivery submitted an exempt report to consider the Council’s car parks in the context of their town centre role and options for service improvement.

In introducing the report, the Deputy Leader updated Executive on the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee who had considered the report at their meeting of 1 September 2016. The Committee had endorsed the report and recommended to Executive that consideration be given as part of the proposed procurement process for improved and more flexible disabled parking provision in council car parks following an assessment of demand for such parking.

Resolved

(1)          That the review assessment and conclusions of the Council’s car parking service be noted.

(2)          That it be agreed not to commit to a long term lease or other arrangement which reduces the Council’s regeneration and investment flexibility.

(3)          That a procurement exercise to appoint a specialist operator to deliver the Council’s car parking services be supported.

(4)          That the invitation of tenders for a services concession contract which incentivises the operator to maximise revenue over the maximum concession period available under The Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 (five years, or such longer period as the contractor would reasonably need to recoup any investment made by it to deliver the services (together with any return on its investment) be authorised.

(5)          That agreement be given to any such competitive tender contest incorporating a competitive dialogue process to maximise value to the Council.

(6)          That the opportunity through this process for a different charging regime which supports a balance of maximising income from car park assets with the wider economic growth and planning policy objectives of the Council to create attractive, sustainable and viable urban centres be considered further.

(7)          That this process be used as the opportunity to ensure consistency of charging between Bicester and Banbury.

(8)          That a requirement for bidders to price the introduction of modern revenue collection and parking control equipment which combines flexibility of payment options combined with technology based opportunities to vary their parking stay for customers be included in the tender process.

(9)          That, notwithstanding resolution (8) above, the opportunity for the Council to achieve improved value for money from this process by using its own capital resources to fund the required capital investment be explored.

(10)       That consideration be given as part of the proposed procurement process for improved and more flexible disabled parking provision in council car parks following an assessment of demand for such parking.

Reasons

Car parking services are central to the experience of most visitors to our urban centres and therefore the views of users and businesses are paramount. The customer experience is crucial to generate satisfaction and income, ensuring that repeat visits ensue whereby additional time and money is spent in the urban centres. The resultant vitality of businesses will increasingly mean that additional business rates will be collected by the Council to continue a virtuous cycle of thriving communities.

Regardless of charging, customers typically require  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.