Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive communications from the Chairman and/or the Leader of the Council.

Parliamentary Election

On behalf of Council, the Chairman congratulated Councillor Sean Woodcock on his election as MP for the Banbury Constituency. The Chairman also congratulated Calum Miller who was elected as MP for the Bicester and Woodstock Constituency.

On behalf of Council, the Chairman extend gratitude to Victoria Prentis who served as MP for the Banbury Constituency for 14 years; to John Howell who, for 16 years, was MP for the Henley Constituency, which previously incorporated areas of the Kirtlington and Otmoor wards;  and Layla Moran, who remains MP for the Oxford West and Abingdon Constituency, which, prior to the constituency boundary changes, incorporated Kidlington, Begbroke and Yarnton.

Euro 2024

On behalf of Council, the Chairman congratulated the England men’s football team on reaching the finals of Euro 2024. Whilst the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, reaching the final was a great achievement. Congratulations to Spain on their victory.

Radio Horton 60^th Anniversary

On behalf of Council, the Chairman congratulated Radio Horton on its 60^th anniversary. 

Founded by local journalists on 7 July 1964, the station was built on the founding principles of uplifting spirits and brightening patients' time in hospital. To mark the diamond jubilee, the radio station aired a 60-hour marathon of programmes, culminating in a live broadcast from the Horton Restaurant on Monday 8 July. The special programme starred Radio Horton presenter Anthony Brown and station President John Craven OBE.

Chairman’s Engagements

A copy of the events attended by the Chairman, or the Vice-Chairman was published with the agenda.

Meeting Etiquette

The Chairman asked councillors to be respectful of each other when addressing the meeting and out of courtesy, to remain in their seat during items. If necessary, the Chairman would adjourn the meeting to allow for a comfort break at a suitable point.

Change to Agenda Order

Item 12, “Notification of Committee membership changes” would be taken before item 11, “Motions”.

Members’ Pigeon Holes

The Chairman reminded Members to check their pigeon hole and take any post with them.

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

Addresses may be presented by:

·         A Local Government elector for the area,

·         A person who is wholly or mainly resident in the area,

·         A Council Taxpayer or National Non-Domestic Ratepayer for the area

Addresses must be on an item on the Agenda before the meeting and not exceed 5 minutes. No person may address more than one meeting on any particular issue.

Requests to address the meeting (including the agenda item and reason for the address) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk  The deadline for requests to address this meeting is noon on Friday 12 July.

The deadline to present a petition to this meeting has passed.

Full details of public participation at meetings is available in the Constitution.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 22 May 2024.

Subject to the following amendments, the minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

·         attendance to record Cllr Webb’s apologies

·         Minute 11, resolution (2),

o   second bullet, change from “all Labour & co-operative members” to “all Labour or Labour and co-operative members”

o   third bullet, change Green / Independent to Green and Independent Alliance Group

a)         Minutes of Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the 28 day notice

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Portfolio Holder Decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting of Council at which this was reported, 26 February 2024, two key and/or exempt decisions had been taken by the Executive which were not included in the 28 day notice: Temporary Accommodation Lease and the Letting of Unit 5 at Castle Quay 2.

b)         Minutes of Committees

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of committees as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received.

a)            Minutes of the Executive, Portfolio Holder Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive and Portfolio Holder decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council on 26 February 2024 two key or exempt decisions had been taken which were not included in the 28-day notice: Temporary accommodation lease and the letting of Unit 5 at Castle Quay 2.

b)           Minutes of Committees

Resolved

That the minutes of Committees as set out in the Minute Book be received.

a)         Written Questions

            There are no written questions.

b)         Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chairman to invite questions to the Leader of the Council (including any matters arising from the minutes).

Following a response to their question being provided Members will be entitled to a follow up or supplementary question.

c)         Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

The Chairman to invite questions to Chairmen of Committees on any matter arising from the minutes of their committee (if any).

a) Written Questions

There were no written questions.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Councillor Parsons: Community facilities and infrastructure to support development

Councillor Cherry: Police and Crime Commissioner proposal to centralise CCTV operation monitoring            

Councillor McHugh: Cherwell Military Champion attendance or representation at relevant events

Councillor Mawer: Sanctuary Housing and long term voids

Councillor Watkins: Short breaks to be factored into all meetings approximately every two hours            

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the Minutes

There were no questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes of meetings.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of report

This report presents the annual report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2023/24

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1       To note the contents of the Annual Report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2023/24.

Resolved

(1)            That the Annual Report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2023/24 be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the annual report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2023/24

Resolved

(1)          That the Annual Report of the Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee 2023/24 be noted.

Report of Assistant Director Finance

Purpose of report

To receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2023-24 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

To demonstrate that all treasury management activities undertaken during the financial year 2023-24 complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice, the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy and that all Prudential Indicators were met during the reporting period.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1       To note the contents of this Treasury Management Annual Performance Report and the Capital Prudential indicators attached in appendix 1.

Resolved

(1)            That the Treasury Management Annual Performance Report 2023/2024 and the Capital Prudential indicators be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report to provide Council with information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2023-24 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice. The report demonstrated that all treasury management activities undertaken during the financial year 2023-24 complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice, the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy and that all Prudential Indicators were met during the reporting period.

Resolved

(1)          That the Treasury Management Annual Performance Report 2023/2024 and the Capital Prudential indicators be noted.

The Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Reeves, has notified the Proper Officer of the following amendment to Conservative Group committee membership:

Planning Committee

To switch the appointments of Councillor Andrew McHugh and Councillor Phil Chapman with Councillor Andrew McHugh being named substitute and Councillor Phil Chapman being full Committee member effective 3 June 2024.

Recommendation

Council resolves:

1.1       To note the Conservative Group committee membership amendment.

Resolved

(1)          That the following Conservative Group committee membership amendment be noted:

Planning Committee

Councillor Andrew McHugh from full committee member to named substitute

Councillor Phil Chapman from names substitute to full committee member

(2)          That the notification of the change of Labour Group Leader and Deputy Labour Group Leader be noted:

Labour Group Leader: Councillor Amanda Watkins

Deputy Labour Group Leader: Councillor Andrew Crichton

(3)          That the following Labour Group committee membership amendments be noted:

Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Besmira Brash

Appeals Panel

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke

Budget Planning Committee

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Andrew Crichton

The Chairman referred to the agenda which set out that the former Labour Group Leader, Councillor Woodcock and newly appointed Labour Group Leader, Councillor Watkins, had notified the Proper Officer of a change to the Labour Group Leader and Deputy Leader and committee membership changes and that the Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Reeves, had notified the Proper Officer of a change to the Conservative Group committee membership.

Resolved

(1)          That the following Conservative Group committee membership amendment be noted:

Planning Committee

Councillor Andrew McHugh from full committee member to named substitute

Councillor Phil Chapman from names substitute to full committee member

(2)          That the notification of the change of Labour Group Leader and Deputy Labour Group Leader be noted:

Labour Group Leader: Councillor Amanda Watkins

Deputy Labour Group Leader: Councillor Andrew Crichton

(3)          That the following Labour Group committee membership amendments be noted:

Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Besmira Brash

Appeals Panel

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke

Budget Planning Committee

Remove: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Add: Councillor Andrew Crichton

To debate the following motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Constitution (to be debated in the order submitted).

Please note that the deadline to submit motions has passed. The deadline for Members to submit amendments to motions is noon on Thursday 11 July. No amendments will be permitted after this deadline.

Any amendments submitted will be published as a supplement to the agenda on the afternoon of Friday 12 July. Amendments for motions will be dealt with in the order submitted. 

Resolved

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

Mental Health Initiative

“The Labour Group would liketo increase the impact of the existing mentalhealth programme whichwas startedby theYouth Activatorsin conjunctionwith themental healthcharity MIND. It is proposed thatthis is achieved by making the programme longerand available through all schools, which we can achieve by partnering with the North Oxfordshire School Sports Partnershipto identify schools where there werehigher levelsof needreported initially.

Providing a 12-week programme in 11 schools per term will results in all schools in the district benefittingwithin twoyears. Theproposal wouldalso targetacademic years5 and6 inprimary and year 7, 10 and 11 in secondary as transition years.

The costof theproposal is£0.035m peryear andis proposedon anongoing basis.Funding can beprovided fromthe generalcontingency budgetwithin PolicyContingency.

This council resolves to ask the Executive to increase spending on the mental health initiatives currentlyin placewithin theChief Executive’sdirectorate tobe fundedby anallocation fromthe Policy Contingency budget.”

(2)          That the following motion be adopted:

Spare Seats Scheme

“Oxfordshire County Council has not run its Spare Seats scheme for school bus places well in recent years. Parents and carers have too often been left in an unenviable position following changes, with consultation of Cherwell District Council too often lacking about changes affecting its wards and schools.

On 26 June, the Oxford Mail reported that:

“Oxfordshire County Council is withdrawing its Spare Seats scheme for pupils travelling from Middle Barton and The Bartons villages to Chipping Norton School.

“It follows a furore last year when the council scrapped the scheme on nine routes, affecting more than 200 children including at Wheatley Park School, The Warriner in Bloxham and Wood Green in Witney.

Parental choice remains an important principle of the current education settlement and will remain so unless changed by a new government. Whilst such a principle remains, it is important that local government works with maintained schools and academies to facilitate transport to

families’ preferred schools at reasonable cost.

Given that County Hall’s most recent cancellations would appear to imperil this important principle, the Council requests that its Leader write to the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council setting out in clear terms that, in future, Cherwell District Council would expect to be more fully consulted upon all such changes affecting families across North Oxfordshire.

(3)          That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:

Consultation on Congestion Commission

“On14 February,Oxfordshire CountyCouncil consideredsetting upa CongestionCommission as part of its last budget debate. Although this measure was not taken up at the time, this Council now considers that it is time for such commission to ensure that commuters intoOxford have a meaningful voice about how any policy changes planned in County Hall affect their working lives.

This Council further notes that the administration at Oxfordshire  ...  view the full decision text for item 25.

The Chairman advised that four motions had been submitted. An amendment to the “Consultation on Congestion Commission” had been submitted. In line with the Constitution, no further amendments were now permitted.

Motion One: Mental Health Initiative

It was proposed by Councillor Parsons and seconded by Councillor Dr Thornhill that the following motion be adopted:

“The LabourGroup would like to increase the impactof the existing mental healthprogramme which wasstarted bythe YouthActivators inconjunction withthe mentalhealth charityMIND. It is proposed that this is achieved by making the programme longerand available through all schools, which we can achieve by partnering with the North Oxfordshire School Sports Partnershipto identify schools where there werehigher levelsof needreported initially.

Providing a 12-week programme in 11 schools per term will results in all schools in the district benefittingwithin twoyears. Theproposal wouldalso targetacademic years5 and6 inprimary and year 7, 10 and 11 in secondary as transition years.

The costof theproposal is£0.035m peryear andis proposedon anongoing basis.Funding can beprovided fromthe generalcontingency budgetwithin PolicyContingency.

This council resolvesto ask the Executive to increase spending on the mental health initiatives currentlyin placewithin theChief Executive’sdirectorate tobe fundedby anallocation fromthe Policy Contingency budget.”

No amendments to the motion having been proposed, the motion was debated as submitted. On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

Motion Two: Spare Seats Scheme

It was proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Mallon that the following motion be adopted:

“Oxfordshire County Council has not run its Spare Seats scheme for school bus places well in recent years. Parents and carers have too often been left in an unenviable position following changes, with consultation of Cherwell District Council too often lacking about changes affecting its wards and schools.

On 26 June, the Oxford Mail reported that:

“Oxfordshire County Council is withdrawing its Spare Seats scheme for pupils travelling from Middle Barton and The Bartons villages to Chipping Norton School.

“It follows a furore last year when the council scrapped the scheme on nine routes, affecting more than 200 children including at Wheatley Park School, The Warriner in Bloxham and Wood Green in Witney.

Parental choice remains an important principle of the current education settlement and will remain so unless changed by a new government. Whilst such a principle remains, it is important that local government works with maintained schools and academies to facilitate transport to

families’ preferred schools at reasonable cost.

Given that County Hall’s most recent cancellations would appear to imperil this important principle, the Council requests that its Leader write to the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council setting out in clear terms that, in future, Cherwell District Council would expect to be more fully consulted upon all such changes affecting families across North Oxfordshire.”

No amendments to the motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.