Agenda and decisions

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

** Due to the size of the documents, to assist access, the appendices are published as a supplement to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington by Executive for inclusion within  the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Frameworks are presented as high level policy documents. The Frameworks’ suggested public realm interventions are therefore aspirational at this stage and do not have funding allocated to them, with the exception of the three projects which are currently being developed for (i) Bicester Market Place; (ii) Bicester Bure Place and (iii) Kidlington High Street.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the inclusion of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups.

1.2           To agree delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Growth and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, to arrange the final presentation of the Plan and make any necessary minor amendments to it, including any typographic or formatting errors prior to publication.

Resolved

(1)            That the inclusion of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups be approved.

(2)            That delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Growth and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, to arrange the final presentation of the Frameworks and make any necessary minor amendments to it, including any typographic or formatting errors prior to publication, be agreed.

** Due to the size of the documents, to assist access, the appendices are published as a series of supplements to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Proposed Cherwell Local Plan 2042 for the purpose of inviting representations.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To consider the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 November 2024 (Appendix 8a) and 26 November 2024 (Appendix 8b – to follow).

1.2           To agree that the Proposed Cherwell Local Plan 2042 at Appendix 1 be approved for the purpose of inviting representations under Regulations 19 and 20 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

1.3           To agree that the Assistant Director – Planning and Development be authorised to approve the final presentation of the Plan and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to it prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development.

1.4           To agree that the Assistant Director – Planning and Development be authorised to publish any necessary supporting documents, including an Infrastructure Delivery Plan, and other background papers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development.

Consideration of item adjourned to 1pm on Thursday 5 December 2024, due to adjournment of Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to 6pm on Wednesday 4 December 2024 to enable Executive to consider comments from OSC.

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval of an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) to produce the Council’s key planning policy documents.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve  the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS)  presented at Appendix 1 be approved.

Consideration of item adjourned to 1pm on Thursday 5 December 2024, due to adjournment of Executive consideration of item 8, Proposed Cherwell Local Plan 2042, as this item is linked to item 8.

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023-24 for publication by 31 December 2024.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1     To approve the Infrastructure Funding Statement 23-24 at Appendix 1 for publication by 31 December 2024 subject to any final changes considered to be necessary by the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to secure accuracy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Resolved

(1)            That the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023-2024 be approved for publication by 31 December 2024 subject to any final changes considered to be necessary by the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to secure accuracy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

To propose the utilisation of 15 rooms at Whately Hall, Banbury for use as temporary accommodation, continuing the current provision

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1     To approve the extension of the continuous booking of 15 rooms at the Whately Hall for use as temporary accommodation until the end of the financial year.

Resolved

(1)            That the extension of the continuous booking of 15 rooms at the Whately Hall for use as temporary accommodation until the end of the financial year be approved.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To enable members to consider the proposed banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) for 2025/26.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

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

1.2           To note the comments of Budget Planning Committee at Section 6.

1.3           To recommend to Council that the current scheme is retained for 2025/26.

Resolved

(1)            That the report, and financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)            That the comments of Budget Planning Committee, which endorsed and recommended and unchanged Scheme, be noted.

(3)            That Full Council be recommended to agree to retain the current scheme for 2025/2026.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To report to the committee the council’s forecast financial position as at the end of the October 2024.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To consider and note the contents of the council’s financial management report as at the end of October 2024.

1.2           To approve the movements in reserves requested (Appendix 5).

1.3           To approve the reprofiling of capital projects beyond 2024/25 (section 4.2.3 and Appendix 1) and the subsequent update to the programme budget for this financial year 2024/25.

1.4           To approve the reduction in capital budget for S106 Development of Activity Play Zones from £0.600m to £0.142m to reflect the actual cost to the Council. The remaining £0.458m is to be met by the Football Foundation. 

Resolved

(1)          That the council’s financial management report as at the end of October 2024 be noted.

(2)          That the movements in reserves requested as set out in Appendix 5 to the report be approved.

(3)         That the reprofiling of capital projects beyond 2024/25 as set out at section 4.2.3 of the report and Appendix 1 to the report and the subsequent update to the programme budget for this financial year 2024/25 be approved.

(4)         That the reduction in capital budget for S106 Development of Activity Play Zones from £0.600m to £0.142m to reflect the actual cost to the Council be approved and it be noted that the remaining £0.458m is to be met by the Football Foundation.