Agenda item
Receipt of Announcements
To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive or the Chief Executive.
Minutes:
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, announced that all services in the Waste and Recycling portfolio had been reviewed in the year, and improvements in services had been seen in areas such as street cleaning and ground maintenance. Examples of improvements in operational services were given, such as a reduction in missed bin collections and container delivery wait times. Councillor Arciszewska also advised that there was a presentation for the public on Waste and Recycling following the meeting of the Executive.
Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy, noted that £3.5 of investment had been made in this area in the year and attendances at the Council’s facilities had increased.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, advised that a property in Witney had recently been acquired by the Council for use as additional temporary accommodation for residents at risk of homelessness. This was the first step on a wider programme of acquisitions by the Council to meet this need. In addition, Councillor Saul noted progress had been made in provision of affordable housing and social rent housing in the year.
Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economic Development, highlighted important work that had taken place in his portfolio in accordance with statements in the Council Plan. Councillor Enright advised that the grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund had enabled great strides in economic development and a report would be brought on this in the new year. Councillor Enright listed work that had been undertaken on reviving town centres and villages, providing new employment sites and street market regeneration which had resulted in both increased footfall in those markets and the surrounding businesses. Marriotts Walk was now at near full occupation and had hosted specialist events with more improvement works planned for the new year. Finally, Councillor Enright stated that new mixed-use developments that were proposed in the Local Plan would ensure much needed sustainable homes in the centre of towns.
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, advised that, following the National Youth Strategy, there would be additional Government funding in the coming year which would enable the Council to continue the work that had already taken place in improving and delivering youth services.
Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, recognised the work of Officers on Climate Action and Nature Recovery and the ongoing collaborative with other Local Authorities and noted that the Council had achieved the top score for rural districts in Climate Acton and Policy.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, reflected that the movement of the Assets Team back in-house had led to a strategic review of the Council’s assets. This review had meant that the Council was able to identify suitable assets for disposal which had delivered additional funding for other projects, such as the purchase of emergency temporary accommodation. Councillor Smith returned to the subject of Marriotts Walk and advised that this asset had contributed nearly £500k to the provision of services.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, delivered an update on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Council had received an acknowledgement from the Minister to its proposal. The public consultation, led by the Government, would begin in early February and Councillor Graham encouraged all residents to participate.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, advised that item 16 on the agenda – Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to prohibit pony and trap racing on a section of the A40 – would be addressed as the first report. This was agreed by the Executive.