Agenda, decisions and minutes


Venue: Virtual meeting

Contact: Natasha Clark, Democratic and Elections  Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221589

Media

Items
No. Item

101.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest that they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

13. Notification of Urgent Action.

Councillor Dan Sames, Non Statutory Interest, as a CDC appointed non-Executive Director on Graven Hill Management Company and Graven Hill Development Company and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

 

Councillor Ian Corkin, Non Statutory Interest, as a CDC appointed non-Executive Director on Graven Hill Management Company and Graven Hill Development Company and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

 

102.

Petitions and Requests to Address the Meeting

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions.

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that he had agreed to Councillor Middleton addressing the meeting at exempt item 12, Lease for Waterside Development.

103.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 223 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2021 were agreed as a correct record, to be signed by the Chairman in due course.

104.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chairman.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

 

105.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 pdf icon PDF 385 KB

Report of Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning

 

Purpose of report

 

To set out the key points from the consultation on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and the main changes to the strategy and action plan made in response to the feedback received. In addition, the report requests Executive approval of the amended strategy and action plan.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is requested to:

 

1.1       Note the changes to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and Action Plan following public consultation.

 

1.2       Approve the amended strategy and action plan in order to ensure that the Council meets statutory requirements and complies with good practice.

 

1.3       Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning in consultation with the Lead Member, to make any minor editorial amendments to the strategy as needed and to undertake a review and update of the Action Plan on an annual basis.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That the changes to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and Action Plan following public consultation be noted.

 

(2)           That the amended Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and Action Plan (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved in order to ensure that the Council meets statutory requirements and complies with good practice.

 

(3)           That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning in consultation with the Lead Member, to make any minor editorial amendments to the strategy as needed and to undertake a review and update of the Action Plan on an annual basis.

 

Minutes:

The Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning submitted a report to set out the key points from the consultation on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and the main changes to the strategy and action plan made in response to the feedback received. In addition, the report requested Executive approval of the amended strategy and action plan.

 

In response to comments from the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Woodcock, regarding the need for additional social rent housing, the Lead Member for Housing confirmed that increasing social housing was a priority.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the changes to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and Action Plan following public consultation be noted.

 

(2)         That the amended Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 and Action Plan (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved in order to ensure that the Council meets statutory requirements and complies with good practice.

 

(3)         That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning in consultation with the Lead Member, to make any minor editorial amendments to the strategy as needed and to undertake a review and update of the Action Plan on an annual basis.

 

Reasons

 

To ensure the Council can meet its statutory duties, it is recommended that the amended strategy and action plan be approved by the Executive at its meeting on 1 March 2021 with delegated authority to the Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning in consultation with the Lead Member, to make any minor editorial amendments to the strategy as needed and to undertake a review and update of the Action Plan on an annual basis. The Strategy and Action Plan will subsequently be published as the final version on the Council’s website with a hard copy being made available to anyone on request.

 

Implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan will be monitored by the Housing Strategy team, and the first review and update of the action plan will be undertaken in March 2022 to ensure that it remains effective and responsive to the changing circumstances and needs of customers and stakeholders. The Equality and Climate Impact Assessment will also be reviewed and updated in line with the aims of the Council’s ‘Including Everyone: Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Framework’ to ensure continued delivery of inclusive services. 

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1: Not having a strategy at all - This would result in the Council not meeting its statutory obligations under the Homelessness Act 2002, therefore this option is rejected.

 

Option 2: A single countywide strategy and no local strategy - A draft countywide Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy has been published for consultation and provides an overarching vision for Oxfordshire, however there is no statutory requirement for it. CDC Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2026 already aligns with, and will contribute towards achieving, the overarching aim and objectives set out in the countywide strategy and vision. Each local authority area has different geographic, economic, social and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

106.

Disabled Adaptations Policy pdf icon PDF 375 KB

Report of Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning

 

Purpose of report

 

To consider and approve the Disabled Adaptations Policy (Appendix 1).

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended to:

 

1.1       approve the Disabled Adaptations Policy as the replacement for the current  Disabled Facilities Policy.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That the Disabled Adaptations Policy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved as the replacement for the current  Disabled Facilities Policy.

Minutes:

The Assistant Director, Housing and Social Care Commissioning submitted a report to consider and approve the Disabled Adaptations Policy.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the Disabled Adaptations Policy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved as the replacement for the current  Disabled Facilities Policy.

 

Reasons

 

Although the current Disabled Facilities Grant Policy remains compliant, has served the Council well, and much of it has ‘stood the test of time’, a new policy is required to reflect the changes that have taken place since it was introduced, including changes in the Council’s operating environment, budget growth, the increased use of discretionary grants and the need to simplify decision making processes to facilitate service delivery. The proposed Disabled Adaptations Policy will ensure that the Council’s Grants Team can continue to deliver the current high level of services to disabled residents in a clear and consistent manner.

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1:  Not introduce a new policy and continue with the existing Disabled Facilities Policy.  This option was rejected because of the need to reflect the extended use of discretionary grants to complement provision of adaptations and to update process and decision making.

 

107.

Nominations Agreement for Housing Allocations pdf icon PDF 399 KB

Report of Assistant Director Housing and Social Care Commissioning

 

Purpose of report

 

To set out the purpose and content of a new Nominations Agreement that determines how Cherwell District Council (‘CDC’) works with registered providers (‘RP’) to nominate households from the housing register to social housing for rent.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended to:

 

1.1       Approve the revised Nominations Agreement 2021 which will then replace the 2017 Nominations Agreement.

 

1.2       Delegate authority to the Assistant Director Housing and Social Care Commissioning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to agree and enter in to any future amendments to the Nominations Agreement that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That the revised Nominations Agreement 2021 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved and it be noted that it will  replace the 2017 Nominations Agreement.

 

(2)           That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing and Social Care Commissioning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to agree and enter in to any future amendments to the Nominations Agreement that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Housing and Social Care Commissioning submitted a report to set out the purpose and content of a new Nominations Agreement that determines how Cherwell District Council (‘CDC’) works with registered providers (‘RP’) to nominate households from the housing register to social housing for rent.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the revised Nominations Agreement 2021 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved and it be noted that it will  replace the 2017 Nominations Agreement.

 

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing and Social Care Commissioning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to agree and enter in to any future amendments to the Nominations Agreement that are deemed to be necessary and do not constitute a major policy change.

 

Reasons

 

The Nominations Agreement is an important document which sets out the terms and procedures that both CDC and the Registered Providers owning or managing rented accommodation in the district will work to when making or receiving nominations of eligible households to take up occupancy of a vacant home.

 

The revised Nominations Agreement brings the document up to date and enables charging to be introduced from 1 April 2021. The associated delegation ensures that officers are able to respond quickly to operational demands.

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1: To not revise the Agreement. This is rejected on the grounds that we would not be able to introduce charging which is a necessary step in terms of the budget reductions that need to be made.

 

 

 

108.

Monthly Performance, Finance and Risk Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 963 KB

Report of Director of Finance, and Head of Insight and Corporate Programmes

 

Purpose of report

 

This report summarises the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of January 2021.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

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

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That the monthly performance, finance and risk monitoring report be noted.

Minutes:

The Director of Finance, and Head of Insight and Corporate Programmes submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of January 2021.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the monthly performance, finance and risk 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.

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2020-2021 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.

109.

Urgent Business

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

110.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

 

1 – Information relating to any individual

 

2 – Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

 

3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 

4 – Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

 

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it 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 item 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, Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 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.”

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved

 

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item 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, Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 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.

111.

Lease for Waterside Development

** Please note this exempt report will follow as it is being reviewed and finalised **

 

Exempt Report of Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Assets and Investment

 

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          As set out in the exempt decisions.

 

(2)          As set out in the exempt decisions.

 

(3)          As set out in the exempt decisions.

 

(4)          As set out in the exempt decisions.

 

Minutes:

The Corporate Director Commercial Development, Assets and Investment submitted an exempt report in relation to a lease for the Waterside Development.

 

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Middleton addressed Executive. The Chairman undertook to provide a detailed response in writing to the points raised by Councillor Middleton.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          As set out in the exempt minutes.

 

(2)          As set out in the exempt minutes.

 

(3)          As set out in the exempt minutes.

 

(4)          As set out in the exempt minutes.

 

Reasons

 

As set out in the exempt minutes

 

Alternative options

 

As set out in the exempt minutes

112.

Notification of Urgent Action

Exempt report of Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Assets and Investment

 

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That the decision taken under urgency powers by the Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Asset and Investment in consultation with the Leader of the Council, as set out in the exempt decisions be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Assets and Investment submitted an exempt report to inform Executive of an exempt decision taken under urgency powers by the Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Asset and Investment.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the decision taken under urgency powers by the Corporate Director – Commercial Development, Asset and Investment in consultation with the Leader of the Council, as set out in the exempt minutes be noted.

 

Reasons

 

In line with the Constitution this report is informing the Executive of a decision that was taken under urgency powers as detailed in the exempt minutes.

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1: Not to note the report. This is not recommended as the urgent action has been taken and it is a constitutional requirement for it to be reported to the Executive