Agenda and minutes
PDF 93 KBVenue: Committee Room One, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB
Contact: Democratic Services
Media
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Apologies for Absence To receive any Apologies for Absence from Members of the Executive. Minutes: Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Joy Aitman. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any Declarations of Interest from Members of the Executive on any items to be considered at the meeting. Minutes: Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, made a declaration on behalf of the Publica Officers in attendance, stating the Officers had a pecuniary interest in agenda item 13 (Publica Review), adding they would leave the room whilst the report was considered by the Executive.
There were no Declarations of Interest made by Members of the Executive. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 11 October 2023. Minutes: Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 11 October 2023, be agreed by the Executive as a true and accurate record, and signed by the Leader of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Alaric Smith, was put to a vote, and was unanimously agreed by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to: 1. Agree the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 11 October 2023, as a true and accurate record. |
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Receipt of Announcements To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive or the Chief Executive. Minutes: Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, welcomed all attendees to the meeting, and thanked members of the public for attending. The Leader also welcomed the public watching proceedings on the Council’s website.
The Leader advised attendees of the rationale for the meeting starting at 6.00pm, rather than the usual time of 2.00pm, which was in order to allow greater public attendance at the meeting, which could not have ordinarily been achieved by holding the meeting during normal working hours.
The Leader gave the public and officers in attendance an overview of the way that the meeting would run. Public attendees were also advised that Members of the Executive would remain in attendance after the meeting had concluded, so that those in attendance could meet each other on an informal basis.
The Leader further advised that the final two Agenda Items contained commercially sensitive information and details of a private nature, and as such, the meeting would need to agree to enter private session with the appropriate juncture being highlighted when necessary.
The Leader announced that the meeting was the final meeting that Councillor Carl Rylett would be in position for as the Executive Member for Planning and Sustainability. Councillor Rylett would step down from the Executive and be replaced by Councillor Charlie Maynard with effect from the following day.
Members of the Executive thanked Councillor Rylett for his hard work and commitment as a Member of the Executive, and stated they looked forward to continuing to work with him in the future.
The Leader also announced that the latest version of the ‘WODC Voice’ newsletter had been released and would be sent by mail to residents of the district. The Leader explained that there had been positive feedback after the previous newsletter, and was pleased to see the newsletter reaching residents to keep them informed of the latest activities undertaken by the Council.
The Leader also announced that the next Executive meeting would be held on Wednesday 13 December, and that the meeting would be the next meeting in the series of “Executive on Tour”. The meeting would be held at Charlbury Community Centre, starting at 2.00pm, and further details would be cascaded at the right time by Officers.
Councillor Carl Rylett, Executive Member for Planning and Sustainability, gave the Executive an update regarding the Council’s Housing Numbers Position, which embodied the Council’s 5-Year Housing Land Supply. The Executive Member announced that the Council had reached a position where it was able to demonstrate a 5-Year Housing Land Supply. The Executive member stated that this would give the Council a greater say when determining applications for development within the district.
Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, gave the Executive an update regarding events that would take place over the Christmas Period of 2023. The Deputy Leader stated that events were detailed in the recently published ‘WODC Voice’ newsletter. The Deputy Leader also affirmed the aspirations of the Council to work together ... view the full minutes text for item 103. |
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Participation of the Public Any member of the public, who is a registered elector in the District, is eligible to ask one question at the meeting, for up to three minutes, of the Leader of the Council, or any Member of the Executive on any issue that affects the district or its people. Notice, together with a written copy of the question, must be provided to Democratic Services, either by email to: or by post to: Democratic Services, West Oxfordshire District Council, Woodgreen, Witney OX28 1NB. Questions are to be received no later than 2.00pm two clear working days before the meeting (e.g. for a Wednesday meeting, the deadline would be 2.00pm on the Friday before). A response may be provided at the meeting, or within three clear working days of the meeting. If the topic of the question is not within the remit of the Council, advice will be provided on where best to direct the question. The appropriate Executive Member will either respond verbally at the meeting or provide a written response which will be included in the minutes of the meeting. Minutes: There was no public participation at the meeting. |
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Proactive Delivery of Affordable Housing Purpose:
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to: 1. Note the suggestions to be explored, in order to increase the supply of affordable homes within the district; 2. Approve the appointment of a new Strategic Housing Development & Enabling Manager. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Welfare, introduced the report, which outlined the Council’s aspiration for a more proactive approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing within the district. The report further outlined how this could be achieved with the required resources.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Graham, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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Oxfordshire Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (OXLEVI) Programme Purpose: To approve the submission of the countywide Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Stage 2 application to install electric vehicle (EV) charging Infrastructure in West Oxfordshire.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
i. Approve Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) submission of a stage 2 application to the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles for Oxfordshire’s allocation of £3.655 million LEVI funding; ii. Approve that OCC accept and spend LEVI funds in accordance with the submitted proposal; iii. Approve that OCC tender for EV charging contracts in Oxfordshire; the tender will be a joint tender on behalf of all Oxfordshire county and district councils, which OCC will lead; iv. Approve that WODC enter directly into the contract with the Charge Point Operator (CPO) following the tender process and completion of full feasibility studies and sign off at the OXLEVI Programme Board. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Change, introduced the report, which sought to approve the submission of the countywide Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Stage 2 application, to install electric vehicle (EV) charging Infrastructure in West Oxfordshire.
Councillor Andrew Prosser proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
i. Approve Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC’s) submission of a stage 2 application to the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles for Oxfordshire’s allocation of £3.655 million LEVI funding; ii. Approve that OCC accept and spend LEVI funds in accordance with the submitted proposal; iii. Approve that OCC tender for EV charging contracts in Oxfordshire; the tender will be a joint tender on behalf of all Oxfordshire County and district councils, which OCC will lead; iv. Approve that WODC enter directly into the contract with the Charge Point Operator (CPO) following the tender process and completion of full feasibility studies and sign off at the OXLEVI Programme Board. |
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Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Penalty and Prosecution Policy Purpose: To present Executive with an updated Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Penalty and Prosecution Policy for approval.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the report, which presented the Executive with an updated Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Penalty and Prosecution Policy for approval.
Councillor Alaric Smith proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Geoff Saul, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund Purpose: To update the Executive of the progress on planning and delivery of the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to: 1. Note the progress on planning and delivery of the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund; 2. Delegate authority for the approval of future schemes and expenditure to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, in consultation with the Council’s UKSPF / REPF Delivery Group. Minutes: Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, introduced the report, which provided an overview of the progress on the planning and delivery of the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.
The Deputy Leader gave the Executive a detailed overview of some of the planned projects which would be supported by the funds, and how the implication of the funds would be of wider benefit to the district. It was further highlighted that reports relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, were able to be found on the Council’s website.
Councillor Duncan Enright proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Graham, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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Financial Performance Report 2023/24 Quarter Two Purpose: To detail the Council’s financial performance for Quarter Two 2023-2024.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to: 1. Note the Council’s Financial Performance for Quarter Two 2023-2024. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the report, which provided details of the Council’s financial performance for Quarter Two 2023-2024.
The Executive Member also referred to a recommendation made from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which requested that the Council drew up plans for major refurbishment works to be undertaken at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre.
The Executive Member stated that the Executive were supportive of the recommendation in principle and were keen to address the issues caused by the water damage. The Executive stated they would, however, want a more extensive capital refurbishment programme to be an informed piece of work more generally. A recently commissioned Strategic Outcomes Planning Model would provide the evidence base for the most effective use of a capital allocation at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre.
Councillor Alaric Smith proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendation as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Graham, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to: 1. Note the Council’s Financial Performance for Quarter Two 2023-2024. |
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Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2022/23 Purpose: To note the West Oxfordshire Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2022/23.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to: 1. Note the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) attached at Annex A, with a view to it being published on the Council’s website by 31 December 2023 in accordance with legislative requirements. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Carl Rylett, Executive Member for Planning and Sustainable Development, introduced the report, which sought to note the West Oxfordshire Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2022/23.
Councillor Carl Rylett proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendation as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to: 1. Note the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), with a view to it being published on the Council’s website by 31 December 2023 in accordance with legislative requirements. |
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Fixed Penalty Notice Level Increases for Fly Tipping and Waste Crime Offences Purpose:
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
Minutes: Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, introduced the report, which set out the new maximum level fines proposed by the Government, to deter and punish the offences of littering, fly-tipping, householder duty of care, flyposting & the distribution of free printed matter. The report also sought approval to introduce these new fine levels.
In debate, the Executive thanked the work of officers who had ensured that communications regarding illegal fly-tipping were published through the Council’s online channels, and to officers who had ensured that prevention and monitoring work had taken place effectively.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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Purpose: To outline the conclusions from the recent Strategic Review of Publica Services, carried out by Human Engine on behalf of the four Publica Councils, and to consider the next steps.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
Additional documents:
Minutes: Ahead of the item of business being considered by the Executive, Officers employed by Publica Group left the Committee Room.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, introduced the report, which outlined conclusions from the recent Strategic Review of Publica Services, carried out by Human Engine on behalf of the four Publica Councils, and further sought to consider the next steps.
The Leader gave a detailed, high-level overview of the implications that were associated with the report, and explained that, whilst not fully known, a wide-ranging scale of financial costings would be associated with the proposals, as well as legal and recruitment implications, and that a full transitional plan and full business case would be formulated, to enable that residents remain foremost in the aims of the Council.
The Leader explained that the review process would take time, and that every stage will have the due diligence associated with it, to manage a smooth transition of services, as recommended to the Council.
The Leader further advised the Executive that the proposals would be considered by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at a ‘spotlight’ meeting being held on 18 December 2023 at 5.30pm, before being re-considered by the Executive and then Council.
In debate, a number of non-executive members were invited to speak and expressed their disappointment at the decisions that were to be taken, and referred to Publica being owned by the Council, rather than being an external organisation. Members also suggested that a better course of action would have been to invest in Publica and re-formulate the working partnership that was already in place, rather than strip it back to a level similar to previous arrangements that existed before Publica’s creation.
Members also highlighted an apparent lack of Transitional Management qualifications, and questioned whether the Chief Executives of the partner Councils were qualified in that field. It was subsequently confirmed that an external Programme Director would be appointed to oversee the proposed transition. Reference was also made to the residents of West Oxfordshire being dissatisfied with the Publica ‘model’ of operation, and that residents were keen to see services delivered by the Council in its own right.
Members of the Executive stated that the operation of Publica was perceived to be ‘opaque’, and that partner Councils were willing to change the status quo. Members of the Executive unanimously agreed that throughout the process, the aim was to help deliver services for the better, and to put residents of the district first. The Executive also provided reassurance that the proposals had not arisen as a reflection of the efforts of staff employed by Publica but were reflective of the operating model in its current form.
Members also expressed caution about the proposals being considered, whilst all of the financial facts and implications were not fully detailed, and that this would make the role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee difficult when it scrutinises the proposals. The Chief Executive reassured Members that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would have the ... view the full minutes text for item 112. |
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Exclusion of Press and Public If the Executive wishes to exclude the press and 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 Executive to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of the 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. Minutes: Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, proposed that Executive agree to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the remaining exempt items of business, on the basis that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser, was put to a vote, and was unanimously agreed by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 to: 1. Exclude the press and public from the meeting on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, with the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighing the public interest in disclosing the information. |
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Lease of Council Offices (Elmfield)
Purpose: To request approval for the lease of Elmfield Offices and the Gables as set out in the report.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
Minutes: Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the report, which requested approval for the lease of the Council’s Elmfield Offices and the Gables, as detailed in the report.
In debate, the Executive highlighted the effective use of Council assets that the proposal would bring, and that the leasing would be of use to local businesses who would look to work more flexibly, as well as being helpful to the Council. The Executive gave particular thanks to the work of the proposed tenant for their commitment to secure a vital lease for their services in the longer term.
Councillor Alaric Smith proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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Disposal And Development of Land At Walterbush Road, Chipping Norton For Custom Build Zero Carbon Homes
Purpose: To consider a new delivery model for the development of homes at Walterbush Road.
Recommendations: That the Executive Resolves to:
Minutes: Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Welfare, introduced the report, which considered a new delivery model for the development of homes at Walterbush Road, Chipping Norton.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed that the Executive agree to the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by Councillor Alaric Smith, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Executive.
The Executive Resolved to:
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