The Lord Mayor asked Council if it would agree to the order of business being changed and to adopt the procedure for dealing with the budget debate:

·                    To deal with agenda items 1-8, 22 and 10-13 in this order

·                    To take addresses and questions from the public on the budget items and item 22

·                    To debate the budget items

Council agreed to change the order of business and to adopt the procedure for dealing with the budget.

Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 17^th December 2012 (adjourned and reconvened on 31^st January 2013)

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 17^th December 2012 (adjourned and reconvened on 31^st January 2013).

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in any of the following agenda items. Guidance on this is set out at the end of these agenda pages.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Niaz Abbasi declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 (Medium Term Financial Strategy 2013-14 to 2016-17 and 2013-14 Budget) as he was involved in the private hire licensed trade.  (Minute 108 refers).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mick Haines, Joe McManners, Mark Mills, Helen O’Hara and Val Smith.

No appointments to Committees were made.

None made.

None made.

None made.

To hear addresses from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.8 for which the required notice (1.00pm on Thursday 14^th February 2013) and the full wording of the address has been given to the Head of Law and Governance.

Council received two addresses to Council (the text of the address from Sean Feeney with an Officer response is appended to these minutes)

(1)       Sean Feeney – Sites and Housing Plan: Inspector’s report

(2)       Mr Taylor and Mr Cox – Oxford City Football Club

With the agreement of Council, Mr Cox spoke and thanked Council for its funding of £65k to bring the Court Place Farm Stadium up to the standard of a community arena.  He said that it was a wonderful facility used everyday and night by people from Oxford and beyond.

To hear questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.9 to the Leader or other Members of the City Executive Board for which the required notice (1.00pm on Thursday 14^th February 2013) and the full wording of the question has been given to the Head of Law and Governance, and to hear responses from those Members.

No questions from members of the public had been received concerning the budget items on the agenda.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which is to seek adoption of the Sites and Housing Plan.

Council is asked to:

(a)       Note the conclusions and recommendations of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Sites and Housing Plan;

(b)       Adopt the Sites and Housing Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan;

(c)        Endorse the associated documents as part of the Sites and Housing Plan adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment);

(d)       Adopt a new Policies Map for Oxford that incorporates the Policies Map changes associated with adoption of the Sites and Housing Plan (Appendix 4) and the Barton Area Action Plan (adopted by Council on 17^th December 2012);

(e)       That following adoption and during final desktop publishing, to authorise the Head of City Development, to correct any minor typographical or grammatical errors arising.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which sought the adoption of the Sites and Housing Plan.

Councillor Cook moved the report and following a debate, Council agreed:

(a)       To note the conclusions and recommendations of the Inspector’s Report on the examination into the Sites and Housing Plan;

(b)       To adopt the Sites and Housing Plan as part of Oxford’s Local Plan;

(c)        To endorse the associated documents as part of the Sites and Housing Plan adoption (including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Adoption Statement and Equalities Impact Assessment);

(d)       To adopt a new Policies Map for Oxford that incorporates the Policies Map changes associated with the adoption of the Sites and Housing Plan and the Barton Area Action Plan;

(e)       To authorise the Head of City Development following the adoption and during the desktop publishing to correct any minor typographical or grammatical errors arising.

The Head of Finance has submitted a report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 which requires him to report to the Council on:

(a)       The robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget, and

(b)       The adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

Council is asked to note the report when setting its budget for 2013/14 and the indicative budgets for 2014/15 – 2016/17.

The Head of Finance submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 which required him to report to Council on:

(a)       The robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget, and

(b)       The adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

Council agreed to note the report.

The Head of Finance has submitted a report, which presents the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2013/14 to 2016/17 and the Council’s 2013/14 Budget.

This report was submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting is attached.

Liberal Democrat Group alternative budget proposals.

Green Group alternative budget proposals.

Council is asked to:

(a)       Approve the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £25,027k for 2013/14 and in doing so approves an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 1.99% or £5.23 per annum representing a Band D council tax of £268.19 per annum;

(b)       Approve the Council’s General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2013-14 to 2016-17 and indicative budgets as set out in Appendices 1-5 attached;

(c)        Approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix 5 and in doing so approves an increase in average dwelling rent of 4.62% (£4.27 per week) resulting in an annual average rent of £96.83;

(d)       Approve the Capital Programme for 2013/14 -2016-17 as set out in Appendix 6;

(e)       Approve the Fees and Charges schedule as set out in Appendix 7;

(f)         Approve the level of exemptions and discounts on empty homes and unoccupied properties as outlined in para 20-21 of the report.

Council had before it the following (previously circulated, now appended):

(1)       Report of the Head of Finance;

(2)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013;

(3)       Liberal Democrat Group amendments;

(4)       Green Group amendments.

Councillor Ed Turner, seconded by Councillor Bob Price, moved and spoke to the Administration’s budget.

Councillor Jean Fooks, seconded by Councillor Jim Campbell, moved and spoke to the Liberal Democrat Group alternative budget.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Finance made the following comments on the Liberal Democrat Group alternative budget.

“I have reviewed the alternative budget submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group to Council on 18^th February and I confirm that the budget does balance and could be implemented. The strategy makes use of a £100k reduction in contingencies to use for one-off expenditure. The Council would normally review all such contingencies at year end and whilst the reduction only represents a 1% reduction in forecast contingencies, my Section 151 report on the Adequacy of Reserves and Balances does take into account budgeted contingencies and therefore there is a degree of risk, albeit limited, should these contingencies drop below this recommended level.”

Councillor Michael Gotch, seconded by Councillor Jean Fooks, moved an amendment to the Liberal Democrat Group alternative budget as follows to appendix 7 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, relating to car park charges:

Following the introduction by the County Council of a Controlled Parking Zone around Cutteslowe Park, a review within 12 months of the effectiveness or not of the CPZ may encourage the introduction in the Cutteslowe car parks of a zero parking charge for 1 hour – thus reducing on street parking even more – funded by increasing the parking charges at Alexandra Courts to the same level as most car parks around the City.  Tennis Club members should continue to be able to buy season tickets.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Finance made the following comments on the Green Group alternative budget.

“I have reviewed the alternative budget submitted by the Green Group to Council on 18^th February 2013 and I confirm that the budget does balance and could be implemented.  The strategy makes use of forecast underspends on the General Fund Revenue Account as reported to Members based on the November 2012 monitoring position, in the order of £1.5 million at the end of 2012/13.  There is a degree of risk in this strategy since it relies on surpluses which have yet to be achieved and won’t be known for certain until May 2013 and there is an opportunity cost of alternative use of those underspends which Council may wish to consider at year end, such as establishing a contingency to protect against shortfalls in Retained Business Rate income.  However, notwithstanding this it is acknowledged that the alternative budget presented by the Green Group does de-risk this position by including items of expenditure which are one-off in nature and could be reined back should these surpluses not materialise.”  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

The Head of Policy, Culture and Communications has submitted a report, on the consultation on the Corporate Plan 2013-2017

This report was submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting will be circulated separately prior to this meeting of Council.

Council is asked to:

(a)       Approve the Corporate Plan 2013-2017;

(b)       Delegate authority to the Head of Policy, Culture and Communications to make minor textual amendments where necessary in preparation for formal publication of the Corporate Plan 2013-2017.

Council had before it the report of the Head of Policy, Culture and Communications together with a minute extract from the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013. (All documents previously circulated, now appended).

Councillor Price moved the report.

Following a debate, Council voted and agreed:

(a)       To approve the Corporate Plan 2013-2017;

(b)       To delegate authority to the Head of Policy, Culture and Communications to make minor textual amendments where necessary in preparation for formal publication of the Corporate Plan 2013-2017.

The Head of Finance has submitted a report which presents the Treasury Management Strategy for 2013/14 with the Prudential Indicators for 2013/14 – 2016/17.

This report was submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting will be circulated separately prior to the meeting of Council.

Council is asked to:

(1)       Adopt and approve the Prudential Indicators and limits for 2013/14 to 2016/17 as set out in paragraphs 62 - 86 below.

(2)       Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement at paragraphs 25 - 27 which sets out the Council’s policy on repayment of debt.

(3)       Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14, and the treasury Prudential Indicators at paragraphs 17 – 39,

(4)       Approve the Investment Strategy for 2013/14 contained in the Treasury Management Strategy, and the detailed investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 40 – 60, and appendix 1 attached.

Council had before it the report of the Head of Finance with a minute extract from the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013. (All documents previously circulated, now appended).

Councillor Turner moved the report.

Council agreed to:

(a)       Adopt and approve the Prudential Indicators and limits for 2013/14 to 2016/17 as set out in paragraphs 62 to 86 of the report;

(b)               Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision statement at paragraphs 25-27 of the report which sets out the Council’s policy on the repayment of debt;

(c)               Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14 and the treasury prudential indicators at paragraphs 17-39 of the report;

(d)       Approve the Investment Strategy for 2013/14 contained in the Treasury Management Strategy and the detailed investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 40-60 of and Appendix 1 to the report.

The Head of Housing has submitted a report the purpose of which is to consider the revised Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2013-18 following consultation and to review policy following  the commencement of additional powers related to the council fulfilling its duties by securing a private sector tenancy for statutory homeless households.

This report was submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013. An extract from the minutes of this meeting will be circulated separately prior to the meeting of Council.

Council is asked to:

(1)       Approve Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2013 to 2018;    

(2)       Note the commencement of additional powers introduced by virtue of the Localism Act related to the council fulfilling it’s duties by securing a private sector tenancy for statutory homeless households;

(3)       approve the policy as outlined in Appendix D as council policy;

(4)       Delegate authority to the Head of Housing to implement the policy together with any minor changes that may come forward due to any subsequent revisions or clarifications to Government guidance and any ensuing case law.

Council had before it the report of the Head of Housing with a minute extract from the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013. (All documents previously circulated, now appended).

Council agreed to defer consideration of this item to its meeting on Monday 25^th February 2013.

This item has a limit of 15 minutes.

City Executive Board decisions (Minutes)

(1)       Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th December 2012

(2)       Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2013 – Will be circulated separately prior to this meeting of Council as they were not available when the Council agenda was printed.

Single Executive Member decisions (Minutes)

(1)       Minutes of the Single Member Decision Meeting (Board Member, Finance and Efficiency) held on 25^th January 2013.

Council had before it minutes (previously circulated, now appended) of the City Executive Board meeting held on 19^th December 2012 and the Single Executive Member (Finance and Efficiency) meeting held on 25^th January 2013.

Council agreed to defer consideration of this item to its meeting on Monday 25^th February 2013.

No recommendations or reports had been submitted.

Questions on notice under Council Procedure Rule 11.10(b) may be asked of the Lord Mayor, a Member of the City Executive Board or the Chair of a Committee.

Questions on notice must, by the Constitution, be notified to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 9.30am on Friday 15^th February 2013.

Full details of any questions for which the required notice has been given will be circulated to Members of Council before the meeting.

No questions on notice from Members of Council were submitted.

Statements on Notice under Council Procedure Rule 11.10(b) may be made.  Statements do not need to be directed to a specific Councillor.

Statements on notice must, by the Constitution, be notified to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 9.30am on Friday 15^th February 2013.

Full details of any statements for which the required notice has been given will be circulated to Members of Council before the meeting.

No statements on notice from Members of Council were submitted

No petitions have been submitted for consideration at this Council meeting.

No petitions were submitted for consideration.

Council Procedure Rule 11.14 refers.  The Motions (listed in the order received) that have been notified to the Head of Law and Governance by the deadline of 1.00pm on Wednesday 6^th February 2013 are attached to this agenda.

No Motions on notice from Members of Council were submitted

No questions were asked.