Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 September 2022 were

agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman commented on the positive and constructive direction of travel of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the detailed work being undertaken by the Food Insecurity and Climate Action working groups.

There were no items of urgent business.

Presentation by the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing and the Senior Community Infrastructure Officer.

Three Member workshops have been held during September, to gather views on recommendations emerging from the Sports Facility review that was commissioned in 2021. The updated strategy will be the evidence base used by Development Management to determine an element of the Section 106 (S106) agreement for developments in the district.

The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer will present details of the revised strategy and seek the views of the Committee. Comments and feedback from the Committee will be considered prior to the draft strategy being presented to Executive at their meeting on 7 November 2022.

Resolved

(1)           That the Sports Studies be recognised as influential strategic documents and it be agreed that they should be used to seek developer contributions / influence capital bids / seek external funding.

(2)           That it be agreed that the documents be shared with partners to ensure wider understanding / influence.

(3)           That it be agreed that the documents are reviewed annually and Members kept abreast of key changes.

The Chairman welcomed the Assistant Director of Wellbeing and Housing, the Leisure Contracts and Sports Hubs Officer and the Leisure Projects Officer to the meeting to give a presentation on the Playing Pitch Strategy. 

The Committee was advised the Sports Studies comprised of the Built Facilities Strategy and Playing Pitch Strategy. The final Sports Study documents would be used to work with partners and other organisations on delivery models to improve and developsports facilities where needed, to ensuretheeffectiveprovisionofsport andleisure opportunitiesacross thedistrict. They would be used as an evidence base for the new Local Plan and provide the basis of future sports facility developed contribution costs.

The consultants who had undertaken the study recommended the development of sustainable new sites and investment in existing infrastructure. The Leisure Projects Officer gave an overview of the key recommendations for Kidlington, Bicester and Banbury and explained that the work still required final sign from Sports England and National Governing Bodies and confirmed that there would be an annual review process. .

In response to Members’ questions regarding future growth and the weighting and balance between current and future needs, the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing explained that the District Council’s money for this work came from developer contributions unless the council made a capital investment, which had not been the case in recent years. It was therefore important to have an evidence base to inform the development of facilities for use by current and future residents.

During discussion, the Committee highlighted that smaller sports clubs should not be overlooked when seeking developer contributions as participants at the clubs frequently come from a wider area rather than just the town or village a facility is located in. The Committee also highlighted the importance of ensuring sites had suitable changing facilities for women and disabled people. The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing that officers were having discussions with Banbury Town Council and Bicester Town Council regarding accessibility. 

In response to Members’ comments regarding expanding the number of sports that facilities were provided for and where non-council facilities were provided, the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing advised that developers could submit planning applications for sports sites which would be considered in line with planning policy. The council focussed on sports where there was most interest and residents would benefit from and was not seeking to set aside land for minor sports.

The Committee also discussed the rise of artificial 3G pitches to replace grass and, whilst noting that they facilitated year-round use of sites and therefore enabled residents to participate in activities year-round, there were environmental impacts in reducing the number grass sites.

In response to Members’ questions regarding the influence Town and Parish Councils could have in requesting facilities and the size of development that triggered contributions, the Leisure Projects  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

A written update from Members of the Working Group on work undertaken so far.

Please note the paper will follow.

Resolved

(1)           That the Food Insecurity Working Group update be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, in his capacity as Food Champion, gave an update on the work of the Food Insecurity Working Group. The Group had held its first meeting and agreed it would focus on three areas: Tackle food poverty and diet-related ill health; Build vibrant food communities with the capacity and skills to enjoy food together; and grow the local economy through local enterprises, local jobs, and local wealth generation. 

The Portfolio Holder advised that the Group had supported the approach to undertake two streams in parallel. One stream was in progress and about securing the food supply in the longer term and it was anticipated this would be reported on in January. The second stream related to providing immediate support to residents including a voucher scheme and ensuring all information was available both on the council’s website and in printed format.

The Committee was advised that the work overlapped with the Warm Spaces Initiative that the council was establishing with partners as safe spaces and to create a local community whilst ensuring that residents were supported. The joined up working that had started during the pandemic was continuing to support residents during the current cost of living crisis. 

In response to the update, Committee members highlighted and praised the use of wording such as Warm Welcome as opposed to food banks and spaces that other local authorities were using as this helped reduce stigma in seeking support and recommended that this council follow that approach. The Committee also highlighted the importance of longer-term work including education on food and food waste and cooking from scratch.

Resolved

(1)          That the Food Insecurity Working Group update be noted.

A written update from Members of the Working Group on work undertaken so far.

Please note the paper will follow.

Resolved

(1)           That the Climate Action Working Group update be noted.

Cllr John Broad, Chairman of the Climate Action Work Group gave an update on the work of the Group.

At their first meeting the Group had received a presentation from representatives from Bioregional on the “One Planet Living” principles and how the work of the council had been evaluated against the principles.

The Group had agreed they would focus on three areas: Aligning policies, such as the Local Plan, to accommodate the climate emergency declared by Council in 2019; Identifying priorities to get to net zero by 20230; and, how the measure success of the above points. Considering the agreed work focus, the Group agreed they needed to update the Terms of Reference to reflect the relationship of the Group with the Local Plan Review.

Resolved

(1)          That the Climate Action Working Group update be noted.

There are two documents for the Committee to consider:

Appendix 1 – indicative work programme 2022-23.

Appendix 2 – update on items previously considered.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To consider and agree the indicative work programme 2022-23.

1.2          To consider and comment on the items previously considered by the Committee.

Resolved

(1)           That, having given due consideration, the indicative work programme 2022-23 be noted.

(2)           That, having given due consideration, the update on items previously considered by the Committee be noted.

The Democratic and Elections Officer provided a brief update to the committee on the indicative work programme for 2022/2023 and reported that the date of the Special Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at which the Local Plan would be considered would move from 1 November. The revised date would be confirmed as soon as practicable.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the indicative work programme 2022-23 be noted.

(2)          That, having given due consideration, the update on items previously considered by the Committee be noted.