Councillors Brown and Hollingsworth  declared an interest by virtue of the proximity of their  house to the Jericho Boartyard (Chapter 9 of the  draft Local Plan refers).

Judith Harley addressed the Committee on the subject of the Local Plan (item 8) with particular reference to leisure facilities for Temple Cowley residents. A copy  of the address is attached to these minutes.  Councillor Hollingsworth, Board Member for Planning and Transport, said that the consultation process preceding the current iteration of the plan had resulted in a wide range of views, some of which were mutually exclusive; this did not mean that views not incorporated had been ‘disregarded’. A new pool and leisure centre had been provided at The Leys following the closure of the Temple Cowley pool and the suggestion that there was a need to replace it was therefore misleading.  Cowley Marsh Park would be protected by the policies in the draft plan before the Board. In relation to William Morris Sports Field, it was important not to include anything in the plan which might be cause the Inspector to challenge on the basis of being too restrictive.  The substance of the plan needed to be evidence based.  Councillor Smith, Board Member for Leisure and Housing, added that there was no evidence of need for  additional leisure provision in Temple Cowley, going on to list the many and varied sport and leisure opportunities available throughout the City provided directly by (or facilitated by) the City Council or other organisations.

None.

None.

None.

Councillor Gant said that the Scrutiny Committee had met on 08 October and considered the draft Local Plan. On behalf of the Committee he thanked Councillor Hollingsworth and the officers for their contribution to a useful debate which had touched upon the important matter of housing numbers (and concern about recent Government assessments of need) and the desirability of being open to innovative transport opportunities.   He was grateful for agreement to the Committee’s recommendation in relation to  Energy Statements  for residential developments of less than 5 units and the other assurances given in  Committee.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a report to recommend that Council approves the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, to submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Please note that Appendices 2i,ii,iii,iv, and v will be  published as a separate supplement.

Recommendations:That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Recommend Council approves  the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation;

2.     Recommend Council approves all the supporting statutory documentation that includes the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Equalities Impact Assessment, and Options Consultation Report;

3.    Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, and to agree the final publication style draft  version before publication;

4.    Approve the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications; and

5.    Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory  Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after publication and after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2036 to the Secretary of State for examination.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services had submitted a report to recommend that Council approves the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, to submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Hollingsworth introduced the report and began by placing on record his thanks to the team of officers led by Patsy Dell for their exemplary work in bringing the plan to this point. The workload had been considerable for a small team. He paid particular tribute to the contribution made by Sarah Harrison and Amanda Ford.

This was the penultimate stage before submission to the Secretary of State and public consultation, with the final Council opportunity to influence at its meeting to be held the following day.

Councillor Hollingsworth went on to draw attention to the 4 changes made as a result of the recent Scrutiny consideration of the draft, details of which had been published before the meeting.

The City Executive Board resolved to recommend to Council to:

1.         Approve  the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation, subject to the changes identified above;

2.         Approve all the supporting statutory documentation that includes the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Equalities Impact Assessment, and Options Consultation Report;

3.         Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, and to agree the final publication style draft  version before publication;

4.         Approve the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications; and

5.         Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory  Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after publication and after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2036 to the Secretary of State for examination.

The Head of Housing has submitted a report for the City Executive Board to note that the Council is making a further £5m social investment in the National Homelessness Property Fund (NHPF).

Recommendations:That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Note that officers have used the  authority previously delegated to them to agree to a further £5m investment in the National Homelessness Property Fund (NHPF); and

2.    Endorse this approach, by which the Council is taking further action to help meet the housing needs of homeless households in Oxford, through improved access to suitable and affordable private rented accommodation.

The Head of Housing had submitted a report for the City Executive Board to note that the Council is making a further £5m social investment in the National Homelessness Property Fund (NHPF).

Councillor Smith introduced the report. She was pleased to commend the report and its recommendations to the Board as a good example of what the Council should be investing in to help meet the needs of homeless households in the City and, in doing so, reduce the costs which would  otherwise have to be met in providing temporary accommodation.

The Chair said the report was very welcome and a good illustration of Council activity in support of those who are homeless which happened behind the scenes.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1. Note that officers have used the authority previously delegated to them to agree to a further £5m investment in the National Homelessness Property Fund (NHPF); and

2. Endorse this approach, by which the Council is taking further action to help meet the housing needs of homeless households in Oxford, through improved access to suitable and affordable private rented accommodation.

The Assistant Chief Executive has submitted a report toseek project approval and delegated authority forthe Assistant Chief Executive toaward a construction contract for up to 8 units of housing for the Council.

Recommendations:That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Note that the budget for this project was first approved within the 2017/18 Capital programme and Medium Term Financial Plan;

2.    Approve the construction of up to eight units of housing for the Council on various sites within Oxford, as specified in this report; and

3.    Delegate to the Assistant Chief Executive, the authority to award a construction contract to F1 Modular  for up to 8 units of housing for the Council at a total cost of no more than £1.1 million.

The Assistant Chief Executive had submitted a report to seek project approval and delegated authority for the Assistant Chief Executive to award a construction contract for up to 8 units of housing for the Council.

Councillor Rowley explained that since the report had been prepared officers had been able to determine a means of securing even better value from the project. It had therefore been decided to defer consideration until November to allow a revised report to be prepared.  

The Regeneration and Economy Programme Director has submitted a report to advise the Board of the satisfactory completion of all conditions to the previous resolution of the Board in February 2013 in relation to Network Rail’s proposal that the Council release its rights over the footpath crossing the railway between Aristotle Lane and the Trap Grounds Allotments and to seek Board approval to proceeding to complete such release.

Recommendation:That the City Executive Board resolves to:

Approve the surrender of such rights that the City Council has in respect of the footpath crossing the railway between Aristotle Lane and the Trap Ground allotments and delegate agreement of the detail of the documentation to the Regeneration and Economy Programme Director.

The Regeneration and Economy Programme Director had submitted a report to advise the Board of the satisfactory completion of all conditions to the previous resolution of the Board in February 2013 in relation to Network Rail’s proposal that the Council release its rights over the footpath crossing the railway between Aristotle Lane and the Trap Grounds Allotments and to seek Board approval to complete the release.

Councillor Brown introduced the report, explaining that this was essentially a technical matter, bringing to conclusion one aspect of Network Rail’s programme of rail improvements.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

Approve the surrender of such rights that the City Council has in respect of the footpath crossing the railway between Aristotle Lane and the Trap Ground allotments and delegate agreement of the detail of the documentation to the Regeneration and Economy Programme Director.

Recommendation: The City Executive Board resolves to APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2018 as a true and accurate record.

The Board resolved to APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2018 as a true and accurate record.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

14 November 2018

18 December 2018

22 January 2019

12 February 2019

13 March 2019

10 April 2019

All meetings start at 5pm.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

14 November 2018

18 December 2018

22 January 2019

12 February 2019

13 March 2019

10 April 2019

All meetings start at 5pm.

No matters were considered in confidential session.