Agenda and minutes
PDF 56 KBVenue: Council Chamber
Contact: Democratic Services
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2023. Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 1 February 2023, were approved and signed by the Chair as a true and correct record. |
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hugo Ashton, Richard Langridge, Suzi Coul, Gill Hill, Michael Brooker and Alex Wilson. Councillor Jane Doughty substituted for Councillor Gill Hill. |
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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 at the meeting. |
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Service Performance Report 2022-23 Quarter Three Purpose: This report provides details of the Council’s operational performance at the end of 2022-23 Quarter Three (Q3)
Recommendation: That the 2022/23 Q3 service performance be noted Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair stated that whilst no officers were available to present the Service Performance Q3 Report, both the Chief Accountant and the Executive Finance Director for Publica were in attendance, and would answer any questions raised by the Committee. The Chair enquired if that despite Quarter 4 of 2022/23 having come to an end, if it were possible in future to have the Q4 report by the end of the municipal year. The Chief Accountant and Executive Finance Director both explained that the Easter break had occurred after the end of the last quarter and that it had not helped matters, although due the enormity of the data that is involved presently, it is not possible, and usually takes a month to explore the data and review the data narrative. It was also highlighted that there was a desire to improve on data collection, and to improve time mechanisms to the reporting. Councillor Ruth Smith drew the Committee’s attention to section 3.9 of the agenda report regarding Housing, and asked what option would be best for West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC). The Chief Accountant explained that the Council had received £250,000 less in government grants, and that it would be similar for the coming financial year, making decision making difficult. If a building was found it would require capital plus, refurbishment and ongoing costs. The Council had done this successfully before with the Horsefair building, but it was a risk as Horsefair was to resolve the emergency housing issue. More options were needed, but would this be long-term issue. Another solution would be to focus and invest in a ‘move on’ programme, and not keep people in emergency accommodation, especially families that need stability. The issue is not solvable instantly. The Government added a mandate during Covid-19, which expanded the category of homelessness but was not fully offset by subsidy grants. Putting people into hotels was not sustainable as properties aren’t owned. Councillor Maynard requested clarity on ownership. The Chief Accountant confirmed that if the Council did not own the property then the Council could not recover housing benefit subsidy. Councillor Maynard suggested if the Council invested in an extra ten beds internally, that may be a better solution. The Chief Accountant advised that if the Council bought an asset that was designed to be used daily, then Cottsway Housing Association would work with the Council to try and bridge the subsidy gap . The Chair enquired if a business case could be developed to look at a property solution. The Executive Finance Director stated that the key problem was finding a suitable property. The Chief Accountant explained that options were being reviewed, especially regarding family accommodation. In some cases, a solution would be to pay off rent arears and make repayment plans, giving families stability. However it was stated that this was not an option to resolve all, but one that could be applied. Councillor Julian Cooper asked if the Council worked with local town councils to see if ... view the full minutes text for item 50. |
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Committee Work Programme Purpose: To provide the Committee with an updated Work Programme for 2022/23. Recommendation: That the Committee notes the work programme and provides comment where needed.
Minutes: The Chair asked the Committee if there were comments on the Committee Work Programme, of which none were received. Committee Resolved to:
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Executive Work Programme Purpose: To give the Committee the opportunity to comment on the Executive Work Programme published 1 March 2023 to 30 June 2023. Recommendation: That the Committee decides whether any items on the Executive Work Programme should be subject to scrutiny. Minutes: The Chair invited comments on the Executive Work Programme, of which none were received. Committee Resolved to: 1. Note the Executive Work Programme. |
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Exclusion of the Press and Public If the Committee wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the Committee to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The Committee may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Minutes: The Committee agreed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting for exempt items of business, on the basis that the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighed any public interest in disclosing the information. Committee Resolved to: 1. Pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. |
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Unicorn Public House update Purpose: The Committee requested an update on the Unicorn public house in Great Rollright, which has been closed since 1991.
Recommendation: That the Committee notes the updated Officers response. Minutes: The Committee had received an update on the Unicorn Public House in Great Rollright, which has been closed since 1991. Councillor Julian Cooper had a list of questions following the updated response, and agreed to forward this list to Democratic Services following the meeting. The Executive Finance Director shared Councillor Cooper’s frustration and confirmed that the Council had undertaken work to secure the property, and that the Assistant Director – Property and Regeneration had been trying to work with the owners, and that the Parish Council have been kept fully informed. Committee Resolved to:
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