Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Report of Climate Action Manager

Purpose of report

To provide an overview of the “Oxfordshire Net Zero Route Map and Action Plan” which is attached at Appendix 1. The report sets out the context for the production of the Route Map and Action Plan, along with detail of the structure and key areas of activity, such as decarbonising buildings and transport across the district.

During recent years, Cherwell District Council has worked collaboratively on the climate change agenda with Oxfordshire County Council and other authorities in Oxfordshire leading to successful outcomes, such as the Park & Charge EV infrastructure in our car parks. This approach has led to investment in the district, whilst minimising the resource impact upon staff, e.g. to deal with procurement, project management etc. The Route Map and Action Plan focus on the areas of activity which can be enabled through joint working with our local authority partners.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         Support the proposed Route Map and Action Plan which seeks to deliver the ambitions of the Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire (PaZCO) 2021 report.

Report of Assistant  Director – Customer Focus

Purpose of report

To agree the action plans for delivering the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) commitments for creating inclusive communities, services and an inclusive workforce, which are set out in its Equalities Framework, Including Everyone.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To approve the draft action plans for Inclusive Communities, Inclusive Services and Inclusive Workplaces.

1.2       To approve the addition to the Inclusive Communities plan of an action to “use our participation in the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Charter as a spur to further activities which promote equality, diversity and inclusion locally”.

1.3       To agree the recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny Committee to amend the Inclusive Communities to include an additional action to “develop and agree a policy for supporting national events that further our corporate priorities and reflect the diversity of our communities" and provide further clarification under commitment 1.03 that the review of our support to refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants would consider the impact on migrants “of all nationalities”.

1.4       To delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Customer Focus to make minor amendments to the agreed action plans in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and the Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group.

Report of Assistant Director – Customer Focus

Purpose of report

To present the approach for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on the council’s performance and progress towards its priorities and objectives for 2023/24.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To approve the proposed approach for measuring and monitoring the council’s performance against achieving its desired outcomes for 2023/24.

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

To share the draft 5-year strategy of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership (ICP)

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To endorse the 5 year strategic plan of the Integrated Care Partnership for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.

1.2       To welcome the opportunity to participate in the development of the Oxfordshire specific plan and the importance of the Health and Wellbeing Board in shaping that for residents’ benefit.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (S151)

Purpose of report

To provide information to Executive on ESG in the context of Local Government and to allow for consideration of the motion referred by Council 19 December 2022 to the Executive.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Note the Local Government context for the application of ESG principles and how the Council will respond to the motion relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

1.2         In response to proposal 1, to request officers to update the Executive on ESG audit requirements following the outcome of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and subsequent CIPFA requirements.

1.3         In response to proposal 2, to agree to continue to comply with the current Council approved Capital and Investment and Treasury Management Strategies until such time as there is more information available about defining ESG principles within a Capital and Investment or Treasury Management Strategy.

1.4         In response to proposal 3, to agree the Leader to initially write to the Pension Fund to understand how the pension fund invests in its assets and then act appropriately based on the information received. 

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To inform the Executive of the urgent decision that was taken by the Corporate Director Resources accept the outcome for the insurance tender and appoint the insurers for three years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years, so that the necessary insurances will be in place on 1 April 2023.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1       To note the decision that was taken by the Corporate Director Resources on 13 March 2023 (Appendix 1).