Councillors Lygo and Price.

Board Members are asked to declare any personal or personal prejudicial interests they may have in any of the following agenda items.  Guidance is contained at the end of these agenda pages.

No declarations of interest were received

When the chair agrees, questions from the public for up to 15 minutes – these must be about the items for decision at the meeting (excluding the minutes) and must have been given to the Head of Law and Governance by 9.30am two clear working days before the meeting (email executiveboard@oxford.gov.uk or telephone the person named as staff contact).  No supplementary questions or questioning will be permitted.  Questions by the public will be taken as read and, when the Chair agrees, be responded to at the meeting.

No public questions were received.

The following scrutiny committee reports have been submitted to this meeting:-

There were no Scrutiny reports.

The purpose of the report is to provide feedback from the recent consultation on the proposed Local Council Support Scheme, agree the principles of the new scheme (which will then be drawn up for approval by Council on 17^th December 2012) and to agree the Council Tax Discount and Exemption proposals for inclusion in the budget setting consultation.

Recommendations:-

(1)   Note the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Local Council tax Support Scheme;

(2)   Instruct officers to draft the details of the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2013/14 replicating the provisions of the existing Council Tax Benefit Scheme and submit the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme to council for approval at its meeting on the 17^th December 2012;

(3)   Agree the Council Tax Discount and Exemption amendments as set out in paragraph 20 for inclusion in the budget setting and consultation.

The Head of Customer Services submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) that provided feedback from the recent consultation on the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme and invited the Board to both agree the principles of the new Scheme (which would then be drawn up for approval by Council on 17 December 2012); and to agree the Council Tax Discount and Exemption proposals for inclusion in the budget setting consultation.

With reference to paragraphs 6 and 7 (transitional grant) of the report the Head of Customer Services said that Oxford’s Scheme did comply with Government criteria and it was therefore likely that the Council would receive transitional grant.

Resolved to:-

(1)   Note the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme;

(2)   Ask officers to draft the details of the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2013/14 replicating the provisions of the existing Council Tax Benefit Scheme and to submit the Support Scheme to Council for approval at its meeting on 17December 2012;

(3)   (a) Agree the Council Tax Discount and Exemption amendments as set out in paragraph 20 for inclusion in the budget setting consultation;

     (b) Agree to consult upon the charging of a premium of 50% Council Tax for properties empty for more than two years.

The purpose of the report is to recommend a new strategy for involvement that will achieve best practice, meet regulatory requirements and the aspirations of tenants. This follows a review of current involvement of tenants/leaseholders on Oxford City Council by the Tenant Participation and Advisory Service (TPAS)

Recommendations:-

(1)       To approve the proposed Tenant Involvement Strategy “Keeping Customers and Communities at the Heart of what we do”;

(2)       To approve the action plan for implementation.

The Executive Director, City Services submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) that recommended a new strategy for involvement that would achieve best practice, meet regulatory requirements and the aspirations of tenants. This followed a review of current involvement of tenants/leaseholders on Oxford City Council by the Tenant Participation and Advisory Service.

Resolved to:-

(1)       Approve the proposed Tenant Involvement Strategy “Keeping Customers and Communities at the Heart of what we Do”;

(2)       Approve the action plan for implementation.

The purpose of the report is to consider the dedication of part of Oxpens Meadow as a Queen Elizabeth II Field, by imposing restrictive covenants in favour of the Field in Trust/National Playing Fields Association, to remain as public open space in perpetuity.

Recommendations:-

(1)    To agree the dedication of part of Oxpens Meadow (as specified on the plan attached to the report) as a QEII Field as a lasting legacy to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Diamond Jubilee year;

(2)    To agree to amend the resolution of the Board of 8^th February 2012, and instead to agree to the Council entering into a Deed of Dedication with Fields in Trust (FIT) for the area highlighted on the plan attached to the report, and otherwise on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Head of Corporate Property.

The Executive Director, City Regeneration submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) that dealt with the dedication of part of Oxpens Meadow as a Queen Elizabeth II Field by imposing restrictive covenants in favour of the Field in Trust/National Playing Fields Association, to remain as public open space in perpetuity.

Resolved to:-

(1)    Agree the dedication of part of Oxpens Meadow (as specified on the plan attached to the report) as a Queen Elizabeth II Field as a lasting legacy to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Diamond Jubilee Year;

(2)    Amend the resolution of the Board of 8 February 2012, and instead to agree to the Council entering into a Deed of Dedication with Fields in Trust for the area highlighted on the plan attached to the report, and otherwise on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Head of Corporate Property;

(3)    Ask the Head of Law and Governance to ask Fields in Trust to agree to the removal from the Deed of Dedication of the clause that referred to the ability to substitute one piece of land for another.