Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Chief Operating Officer

Purpose of report

To seek approval to enforce legislation applicable to:

a)    Domestic Private Rented Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

b)    Commercial Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

following the delegation of powers under: The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 and under The Energy Efficiency  (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015, from Oxfordshire County Council

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

 1.1          Accept the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out enforcement of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provisions under The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.

1.2           Accept the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out  the enforcement of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in commercial property under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015.

1.3     Authorise the Chief Operating Officer, acting in consultation with the Director Law and Governance and the Corporate Director Finance, to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).

1.4     Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to perform the enforcement duties of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) set out in any such agreements referred to above.

Resolved

(1)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out enforcement of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provisions under The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 be accepted.

(2)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out the enforcement of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in commercial property under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 be accepted.

(3)            That the Chief Operating Officer, acting in consultation with the Director Law and Governance and the Corporate Director Finance, be authorised to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).

(4)            That authority be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to perform the enforcement duties of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) set out in any such agreements referred to above.

The Chief Operating Officer submitted a report to seek approval to enforce legislation applicable to Domestic Private Rented Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Commercial Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

Resolved

(1)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out enforcement of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provisions under The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 be accepted.

(2)            That the delegation of powers to enable Cherwell District Council to carry out the enforcement of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in commercial property under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 be accepted.

(3)            That the Chief Operating Officer, acting in consultation with the Director Law and Governance and the Corporate Director Finance, be authorised to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and agreements to implement the delivery of the enforcement work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).

(4)            That authority be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to perform the enforcement duties of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) set out in any such agreements referred to above.

Reasons

Accepting the delegation from OCC of the enforcement powers proposed in this report will allow the two councils to develop shared working arrangements that will improve enforcement of the legislation relating to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and add to our ability to improve conditions in privately rented dwellings and commercial buildings.

The Council will not be obliged to take on any particular enforcement responsibilities as a result of accepting the delegations but will be able to make use of those provisions it deems pertinent in light of its other responsibilities and resources as circumstances and opportunities arise. Any such activities will be subject to the contracts and agreements entered into to implement the delivery of the enforcement work of behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

Alternative options

Option 1: Adopt none of the powers; – that would prevent the Council from sharing enforcement with OCC to improve either domestic rented or commercial rented premises and would forego the opportunity to enhance the Council’s ability to enforce MEES provisions in private rented dwellings.

Option 2: Adopt only those powers relating to domestic premises; - that would prevent shared enforcement in relation to commercial rented premises but still facilitate the Council’s enforcement of MEES in private rented dwellings.

Option 3: Adopt only those powers relating to commercial premises; - that course would exclude any enhancement of the Council’s current enforcement powers in relation to residential premises.

Report of Corporate Director Finance (Interim)

Purpose of report

To provide members with a review of Council Tax discounts and to seek approval to recommend the proposed level of Council Tax discounts for the 2020-2021 financial year to Council.

To provide an update on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019-2020 and to seek approval to recommend a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 to Council.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1          To note the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council.

1.2    To recommend to Council the option of a Council Tax Reduction income banded scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 and to amend the Council Tax Regulations for pensioners in line with uprating announced by MHCLG and to amend the Working Age Regulations in line with the new income banded scheme and the uprating announced by MHCLG. 

1.3     To recommend to Council that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director Finance to make the required changes to the CTRS Regulations up to and including 31 January 2020 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

1.4     To review the proposed level of Council Tax discounts and premiums for

2020-2021 and make recommendations to Council as follows:

·       Retain the discount for second homes at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 100% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years. 

Resolved

(1)            That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)            That Full Council be recommended to approve the option of a Council Tax Reduction income banded scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 and to amend the Council Tax Regulations for pensioners in line with uprating announced by MHCLG and to amend the Working Age Regulations in line with the new income banded scheme and the uprating announced by MHCLG. 

(3)            That Full Council be recommended to grant delegated authority to the Executive Director Finance (Interim) to make the required changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2020 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

(4)            That having given due consideration, the following proposed level of Council Tax discounts and premiums for 2020-2021 be recommended to Council :

·       Retain the discount for second homes at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 100% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years. 

The Corporate Director Finance (Interim) submitted a report to provide members with a review of Council Tax discounts and to seek approval to recommend the proposed level of Council Tax discounts for the 2020-2021 financial year to Council.

The report also provided an update on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019-2020 and sought approval to recommend a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 to Council.

Resolved

(1)            That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)            That Full Council be recommended to approve the option of a Council Tax Reduction income banded scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 and to amend the Council Tax Regulations for pensioners in line with uprating announced by MHCLG and to amend the Working Age Regulations in line with the new income banded scheme and the uprating announced by MHCLG. 

(3)            That Full Council be recommended to grant delegated authority to the Executive Director Finance (Interim) to make the required changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Regulations up to and including 31 January 2020 in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management.

(4)            That having given due consideration, the following proposed level of Council Tax discounts and premiums for 2020-2021 be recommended to Council :

·       Retain the discount for second homes at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes (unoccupied and substantially unfurnished) at 25% for 6 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the discount for empty homes undergoing major repair at 25% for 12 months and thereafter at zero.

·       Retain the empty homes premium of an additional 100% for properties that have remained empty for more than 2 years. 

Reasons

From April 2013 Council Tax Benefit was abolished and replaced with a local Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Council is required to agree a scheme based on the reduced level of funding from Government.

Members are now required to recommend a Council Tax Reductions Scheme for the financial year 2020-2021 to Council.

Alternative options

Option 1:  To not recommend any of the options for a scheme for 2020-2021. This would have financial implications for the Council and those residents affected by Welfare Reform.

Option 2: To decrease the level of support to Working Age claimants. This would have an impact on some of the most vulnerable residents in the district and may significantly impact on collection rates.

Report of Corporate Director: Finance (Interim) and Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation

Purpose of report

This report summarises the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of each month.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To note the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report.

Resolved

(1)            That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report be noted.

The Executive Director: Finance (Interim) and Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of each month.

Resolved

(1)            That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report be noted.

Reasons

The Council is committed to performance, risk and budget management and reviews progress against its corporate priorities on a monthly basis.

This report provides an update on progress made so far in 2019-20 to deliver the Council’s priorities through reporting on Performance, the Leadership Risk Register and providing an update on the financial position.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2019-20 business plan. As this is a monitoring report, no further options have been considered. However, members may wish to request that officers provide additional information.