To procure consultancy services to conduct a full review of the Council’s legacy systems and to produce a series of options and recommendations in terms of a rationalisation strategy.  The revenue sum of £113,425 has been allocated for this work.

To pilot the adoption of fixed video conference facilities in rooms across Council offices for both internal and commercial use. The revenue sum of £37,000 has been allocated for this work.

To increase the capacity of vistors’ Wi-Fi service to accommodate large groups of people using Wi-Fi and the internet in the Town Hall.  A revenue sum of £15,000 has been allocated for this work.

To expand the use of the Microsoft Power BI tools for reporting and data analysis purposes. Training of staff is required to ensure the return on investment is maximised. The revenue sum of £25,000 has been allocated for this work.

It was decided the Council would procure consultancy services to validate assumptions and options prepared by the Council’s ICT Services in the review of its data centre services and technologies. A revenue sum of £15,000 has been allocated for this work.

To enter into a contract with Homes England for HIF funding in the sum of approximately £6.25 million and with the deadline for expenditure extended to March 2023

To enter into a contract with Homes England for HIF funding in the sum of approximately £6.25 million and with the deadline for expenditure extended to March 2023.

Award of contract to complete the full capital works to convert the Floyds Row building into a Homeless Shelter and Assessment Hub

As part of the Council’s service development strategy to prevent and reduce rough sleeping, to award a contract to Oxford Direct Services Limited (ODSL) for the phase 1 and phase 2 refurbishment of the Floyds Row site as a homeless shelter and assessment hub.

Exempt information: the value of the contract with ODSL

The Council was looking to assign the lease that was in place with Fusion Lifestyle for the operation and management of the sports park to Oxford United FC. This is to help improve sport and community outcomes for the wider community. It would  be on broadly similar terms and there will be a community use agreement put in place to help protect and develop community sport use.

Decision was made to assign the lease for Oxford Sports Park from Fusion Lifestyle to Oxford United FC.

A new management agreement has been drafted to support the ongoing management and review of operations at the site.

Decision was made to assign the lease for Oxford Sports Park from Fusion Lifestyle to Oxford United FC.

Demolition of part ground and first floor rear extensions and internal openings and doorways. Extension and alterations to form enlarged public house restaurant on the ground floor to the rear of 49-51 St Giles, conversion and change of use of first and second floors to form hotel bedroom accommodation above 49-51 St Giles and change of use of 50 St Giles from Cafe/Delicatessen to Hotel reception. New services to be installed in the basement and alterations to fenestration and signage. (Amended plans and information).

The Committee considered an application (19/01457/LBC) for listed building consent for the demolition of part ground and first floor rear extensions and internal openings and doorways. Extension and alterations to form enlarged public house restaurant on the ground floor to the rear of 49-51 St Giles, conversion and change of use of first and second floors to form hotel bedroom accommodation above 49-51 St Giles and change of use of 50 St Giles from Café/Delicatessen to Hotel reception. New services to be installed in the basement and alterations to fenestration and signage. (amended plans and information).

The application was before the Committee because the associated full planning application had been called-in.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it and was satisfied that the application before them would have a low level of less than substantial harm on the architectural and historic significance of the listed buildings, including their settings. Whilst great weight had been given to the conservation of these designated heritage assets, it was considered that the harm had been clearly and convincingly justified by the applicant and that the level of harm was outweighed by the identified public benefits that would arise from the development which were, a reduced risk of harm through loss of important building fabric, bringing vacant spaces back into use, and increased energy efficiency of the buildings through improved construction.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

On being put to the vote the Committee agreed the resolution as set out below.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 9 required conditions set out in section 11 of the report and grant listed building consent for the works as proposed; and

2.       delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       issue the listed building consent.

Erection of outbuilding for use as ancillary accommodation. (amended plans)

The Committee considered an application (19/02089/FUL) for planning permission for the erection of outbuilding for use as ancillary accommodation (amended plans).

The application was called in by the Head of Planning Services following concerns made by the applicant about the determination of the application.   

The Planning Officer presented the report.

Andrew Daly, neighbour, spoke against the application. 

Tom Watson (Riach Architects), representing the applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee discussion included, but was not limited to, the treatment of the glazing in the gable end on the eastern elevation.    The Committee questioned why the glazing had not been located in the western elevation given it faced into the applicants’ property and not directly towards the neighbour so as to remove the concerns over neighbour impact. The Committee felt that this would have an unreasonable impact on the amenity of the neighbouring property (31A Charlbury Road) in terms of nuisance caused by light spill and loss of privacy to the bedroom window. Similarly the Committee was not persuaded by the arguments set out in the officer’s report and considered that the proposed development would have a harmful impact on the potential and perceived privacy of the neighbouring property.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it, including the planning officer’s recommendation for approval and was mindful of the permitted development rights pertaining to the application site.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed the resolution as set out below.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to refuse planning application (19/02089/FUL) on the following grounds with the precise wording of the reasons for refusal being delegated to the Head of Planning Services to determine:

1.         The glazing in the gable end facing 31a Charlbury Road would impact and create light pollution to the adjoining property contrary to policies CP10 and CP20 of the Oxford Local Plan

2.         The glazing in the gable end as a result of proximity to the boundary, and the adjoining property at 31a Charlbury Road would result in a loss of privacy contrary to Policy CP10 of the Oxford Local Plan and HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan.

Details of reserved matters (landscaping) for the removal of 58 trees and the planting of 132 replacement trees along Home Close boundary pursuant to outline permission 13/01861/OUT.

The Committee considered an application (19/02685/RES) for approval of the reserved matters (landscaping) for the removal of 58 trees and the planting of 132 replacement trees along Home Close boundary pursuant to outline permission 13/01861/OUT.

The application was before the Committee as it constituted a significant amendment to the landscape proposals approved pursuant to the reserved matters application (18/00966/RES).

The Planning Officer presented the report and advised that since the agenda was published:

·       Thames Water had confirmed that they had no objections to the application;

·       The Wolvercote Commoners Committee had written with comments regarding notification of the dates of the proposed work and arrangements for “wheel-washing”.  Wheel washing is dealt with under the existing conditions. Officers did not consider a condition to be necessary with regard to notifying the neighbours as they understand that the applicant proactively communicates with local residents in any event;

·       A further condition to require an updated assessment of all trees for roosting bats before the trees are removed was proposed.

Paul Comerford and Vikki Roe, representing the applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee noted the reasons for the tree removal and land remediation set out in the report and agreed that this was an opportunity to improve the quality of the local landscape with the introduction of native species.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application subject to the addition of a further condition requiring a bat roost assessment report prior to tree removal.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 3 required planning conditions set out in section 12 of the report and the additional condition requiring a bat roost assessment and grant approval of the reserved matters; and

2.       agree to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       consider and deal with any new material planning considerations that may be raised through public consultation up to 18 November 2019 including deciding whether it is necessary to refer the application back to the committee prior to issuing the approval;

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       issue the reserved matters approval

The Committee considered an application (19/01704/VAR) for planning permission for the removal of condition 8 (Servicing Hours) and 13 (Sale of Food) of planning permission 87/00762/NOY (Demolition of garage & showroom. 124,728 sq. ft of non-food retail, including garden centre of 4,200 sq. ft, with 550 car spaces & access to Botley Rd. Extension of light industrial premises by 800 sq. ft (duplicate application, revised).         

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the nine required planning conditions and 1 informative set out in section 12 of the report and grant planning permission, and

2.       delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary.

Demolition of part ground floor and first floor rear extensions. Change of use of ground floor and first floor of 50 St Giles from Cafe (Use Class A3) to Hotel reception and accommodation (Use Class C1). Conversion of upper floors at 49-51 St Giles for use as hotel accommodation (Use Class C1). Erection of single storey rear extension, formation of new entrance off Wellington Place through boundary wall, alterations to north and south boundary walls, installation of ventilation equipment to rear and alterations to fenestration.

The Committee considered an application (19/01456/FUL) for planning permission for the demolition of part ground floor and first floor rear extensions. Change of use of ground floor and first floor of 50 St Giles from Cafe (Use Class A3) to Hotel reception and accommodation (Use Class C1). Conversion of upper floors at 49-51 St Giles for use as hotel accommodation (Use Class C1). Erection of single storey rear extension, formation of new entrance off Wellington Place through boundary wall, alterations to north and south boundary walls, installation of ventilation equipment to rear and alterations to fenestration (amended plans and information).

The application had been called in by Cllrs Hollingsworth, Tanner, Fry, Turner and Rowley because of concerns about the impact on the historic buildings and streetscape in St Giles, and the potential impact on trees in the adjoining street at Wellington Place.

The Planning Officer’s presentation addressed the proposals set out in both the full planning application and the application for listed building consent.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it and was satisfied that the application before them addressed previous concerns about the potential impact on the heritage and the environs of the site.  They concluded that the proposed scheme was sensitive to the site constraints, would ensure the longevity of the designated heritage assets and that the demolition of the miscellany of existing extensions and outbuildings was to be welcomed.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

On being put to the vote the Committee agreed the resolution as set out below.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 17 required planning conditions and 3 informatives set out in section 12 of the report and grant planning permission; subject to:

·       the satisfactory completion of a legal agreementunder Section106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers to secure the planning obligations set out in the recommended heads of terms which are set out in this report; and

2.       delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       finalise the recommended legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers as set out in the report, including refining, adding to, amending and/or deleting the obligations detailed in the heads of terms set out in this report (including to dovetail with and where appropriate, reinforce the final conditions and informatives to be attached to the planning permission) as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       complete the section 106 legal agreement referred to above and issue the planning permission.

To procure consultancy services to conduct a review of the Council’s telephony solution and to test the market for viable alternatives. The sum allocated is within officer delegated authority. A revenue sum of £20,000 has been allocated for this work.