Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 59 KBVenue: Council Chamber
Contact: Democratic Services
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2022. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2022 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Poole (Deputy Chair).
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations from Members of the Committee on any items to be considered at the meeting. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest received. |
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Participation of the Public To receive any submissions from members of the public, in accordance with the Council’s Rules of Procedure, anyone who lives in the district or who pays council tax or business rates to the Council is eligible to read a statement or express an opinion at this meeting. You can register to speak by sending your written submission of no more than 750 words to [email protected], by no later than 10.00am on the working day before the meeting. Minutes: There was no public participation.
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Chairman's Announcements Purpose: To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee.
Minutes: The Chair amended the order of the agenda to allow presenters to speak earlier in the meeting.
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WODC Refugee Update Purpose: The Committee had requested regular updates of WODC Refugee status. A verbal update to be given.
Recommendation: The Committee notes the WODC Refugee current update. Minutes: Jon Dearing (Group Manager - Residents Services) updated the Committee on the WODC Refugee status. He reported that there were 171 Ukrainian households in the area and that there had been 166 home inspections. Additional resources were being deployed to help those families who wished to move on into the private rented sector. The Afghan and Syrian refugee families were reported as all doing well. It was noted that a hotel in Witney had been taken over by the Home Office to provide accommodation for other refugees. The Home Office was providing security and catering. The Council had no direct role but was in touch with the authorities to assist where possible. It was noted that it was a fast moving situation with local churches and charities providing support where possible. |
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Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) Update Purpose: The Committee to receive a verbal update from Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), and answers to questions sent to GLL recently.
Recommendations: That the Committee notes the update and answers from GLL and comments where necessary.
Minutes: John Amatt (GLL Head of Services) and Matt Simmons (Partnership Manager) presented the GLL Annual Report. They talked about the new initiatives to promote health and to respond to the cost of living crisis. They explained that although numbers attending Leisure Centres in Chipping Norton and Carterton were almost back to pre-pandemic levels, numbers at Windrush were down by 40%. They mentioned the increase in running costs which were up by more than 25% over the last three years. The problems with the roof at the Chipping Norton Leisure Centre were due to be resolved in the forthcoming year.
In answer to questions, Mr Amatt confirmed that the numbers returning to the Leisure Centre were in line with other rural areas. Windrush was suffering from competition with new gyms being set up. He confirmed that GLL was working with local GPs to progress outreach work and said that they were working hard to promote mental health particularly among younger people. Mr Amatt was asked about the cleanliness of the centres. He accepted that there had been serious staffing shortages across the organisation but that the situation had now improved. Councillor Bull said that many of her earlier queries had been addressed and thanked Mr Simmons for the greatly improved communications now in place.
It was confirmed that the legal dispute on the roof at Chipping Norton Leisure centre had come to an end and that the Council would need to fund the repairs.
Councillors asked how GLL proposed to address rising costs and falling attendance. Mr Amatt said that there was due to be an announcement about reducing opening hours the following day and that he could not discuss the matter in advance of that. Reducing water temperature was a difficult balancing act between lower costs and deterring users. The company was looking for ways to bring older people back by offering cross centre packages and also at the family market with new junior packages.
Mr Amatt confirmed that the autumn/winter programme for improving the pitches at Monahan Way was in progress. It was difficult to open the Astro Turf at Carterton Community College more widely but the pitch was always made available to those who had booked. He agreed to provide a schedule of those facilities across the district for which GLL is responsible.
The Chairman thanked Mr Ammat and Mr Simmons for their presentation and for answering questions. |
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West Oxfordshire Council Plan 2023 - 2027 Purpose: The Council’s new corporate plan for 2023-27 (The Council Plan) is being developed in order to succeed the previous plan that covered the period 2020-24. In May 2022 there was a change of administration at the District Council and in July 2022 it was agreed that in light of the changing context in which the Council Plan 2020 – 24 was developed (not least by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic) that a review of the Council Plan would be appropriate. The West Oxfordshire Council Plan 2023 - 2027 presents five new strategic priorities for the District which reflect the wide ranging issues and challenges requiring focus and attention over the immediate and longer term. This report provides an opportunity for the Overview & Scrutiny Committees to comment on a draft of the Plan so that their views and insights can be taken into account in developing the final version of the Plan. The final version of the Council Plan will be presented to Cabinet 11 January 2023 and then Full Council in early 2023 for adoption.
Recommendation: To provide comments on the Draft West Oxfordshire Council Plan 2023 - 27 Additional documents:
Minutes: Astrid Harvey (Strategic Policy and Partnerships Officer) introduced the draft Council Plan 2023 -2027. She explained that the plan set out the overall vision of the Council and would be used to inform a more detailed action plan. She invited comments.
In discussion the following points were raised:
The Chair thanked Ms Harvey for the report. |
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Service Performance Report 2022/23 - Quarter One Purpose: To give the Committee the opportunity to comment on the Quarter One Performance Monitoring Report.
Recommendation: That the Committee notes the update. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered the report. It was noted that it no longer received details of the number of people on the housing waiting list and asked that these details be included in future reports. The Committee also asked for details of numbers of void properties.
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Committee Work Programme Purpose: To provide the Committee with an updated Work Programme for 2022/2023. Recommendation: That the Committee notes the work programme and provides comment where needed.
Minutes: The Chair drew attention to the fact that a number of items had dropped off the work programme. If necessary an additional Committee meeting would be arranged to consider these when they come forward. The Committee noted that they had not received a report from Defence Infrastructure. Mr Dearing said he had invited Mr Wooden to attend the meeting but had not received a reply. He said he would continue to chase. It was noted that Annington had said they would not be refurbishing any more of their existing properties in Carterton.
The Chair said that he would follow up the establishment of a working party to consider issues of concern around the Leisure Centres. Councillor Aitman confirmed that she would not be a member of this group but would attend as Cabinet Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities. It was agreed that Mr Dearing would draw up a crib sheet on Housing Questions and circulate this to members of the Committee for comment.
Several Councillors had attended the recent Scrutiny Committee training which had been very useful. The advice had been that agenda items should not be included ‘for noting’ but rather all items should be for active scrutiny.
It was agreed that a Housing Association should be invited to attend a future meeting to brief on their role and the problems they are facing. The Committee also asked for an opportunity to scrutinise developer contributions |
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Cabinet Work Programme Purpose: To give the Committee the opportunity to comment on the Cabinet Work Programme published November 2022. Recommendation: That the Committee decides whether to express a view to the Cabinet on relevant issues in its Work Programme.
Minutes: It was agreed that the work programme should be amend it to make it clearer whether or not an item would be considered by the public.
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