Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fry (substitute Councillor Paule)

There were no declarations of interest made.

For Scrutiny Members to update the Committee on any developments since the last meeting.

Chairs of the Finance and Housing Standing Panels may wish to update the Committee on their work.

The progress of review panels is briefly set out in section 2 of the work programme but Lead Members may also wish to provide a verbal update.

Cllr Simmons updated the Committee on the Finance Panel’s work. He explained that they were meeting the Directors and Chief Executive to discuss the budget priorities. The next meeting is on 3 February.

Cllr Hollick updated the Committee on the Housing Panel’s work. The next meeting is on 4 February.

The Inequalities Panel’s call for evidence had been extended to 31 January. They had received approximately 25 responses from a mix of people. The next meeting is on 9 February.

Contact Officer: Paul Staines

Tel: 01993 861695

Email: paul.staines@westoxon.gov.uk

The Committee considered the paperwork (previously circulated, now appended) of the minutes of the Oxfordshire Growth Board.

Paul Staines, Programme Manager for the Oxfordshire Growth Board outlined the terms of reference of the Board and its priorities. The Growth Board was formed to oversee the economic development and growth programmes outlined in the City Deal.

The Growth Board works alongside local authorities to understand the needs of housing in their authority, the Board commissioned a study into housing need and then it is up to individual councils to determine where and how that need is met.  The Board is was not a planning authority and was not responsible for putting concepts into practice. Dealing with empty properties was not the responsibility of the Growth Board but the individual councils.

Cllr Price explained that in regards to transport infrastructure each authority must bid to the board to get projects funded. The City received funding for the Oxpens and Northern Gateway projects. The work centred on road infrastructure as Council’s had more opportunity to bid for road infrastructure than they did for rail.

The Board is encouraging more joint working between the Oxfordshire authorities to deal with cross boundary issues such as housing and infrastructure. 

The Committee made the following comments:

Request for written Growth Board reports  next time – rather than just the minutes

A broader remit is needed on SHMA with a focus on urgent delivery of affordable housing.

There is a lack of emphasis on sustainable transport links -too much focus on roads and not enough on rail.

More information on Park n Ride.

Contact Officer: Andrew Brown

Tel: 01865 252230

Email: abrown2@oxford.gov.uk

Dr Jonathan Solity, KRM: Psychological and Educational Research Consultants, made a presentation to the Committee on his findings and conclusions of the KRM strand of the Council’s education attainment programme.

Cllr Kennedy, Board Member for Education Attainment and Youth Ambition said that the turnover of staff was significant as it’s the school management that drives these programme forward.

The Chair thanked KRM for their presentation. He recognised that measuring education attainment was complicated.

The Committee recommended that

All future education funding from the city should focus on improving inequalities and should be designed in collaboration with teachers.

Anna Wright be given the opportunity to respond to KRMs comments through a circulated response to the committee.

Contact Officer: Richard Adams

Tel 01865 252283

Email: radams@oxford.gov.uk

The Anti-Social Behaviour Investigation Team Manager presented the report (previously circulated, now appended) on Public Protection Orders and explained the new powers Council has enacted to discourage anti-social behaviour.

Dee Sinclair, Board member for Crime and Community Response said that the Anti-Social behaviour team were currently reviewing the need for a city centre alcohol ban.

The following comments were made:

The Council keeps the money from any fines but legislation restricts the amount of the fine can be.

Is it possible to have a city wide protection order for dog fouling for example? The legislation requires protection orders to be proportionate and reasonable.  Council is required to prove there is a need for a protection order through public consultation. It would be difficult to prove that every part of the city requires a city-wide dog fouling order.

Protection orders are required to be reviewed every 3 years.

Officers work closely with Police to share information.

The Executive Director for Community Services has been delegated authority to agree PSPOs for small areas of the city such as NAG areas.  All other PSPOs will be decided by CEB.

The Committee made the following recommendations:

To CEB

That a scrutiny member sits on the oversight group.

That officers consult with area forums about these new powers.

To officers

Make information made available to councillors by putting it on the members’ page on the intranet.

Requested that officers present an update report to the Scrutiny Committee in 6 months’ time.

Contact Officer: Andrew Brown, Scrutiny Officer

Tel 01865 252230

Email: abrown2@oxford.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Officer presented the work programme and Forward Plan (previously circulated, now appended).

The Committee noted the work programme and the Forward Plan.

Contact Officer: Andrew Brown, Scrutiny Officer

Tel 01865 252230

abrown2@oxford.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report on recommendations (previously circulated, now appended) which details the City Executive Board’s response to Scrutiny recommendation.

The Committee noted the report on recommendations.

Contact Officer: Andrew Brown, Scrutiny Officer

Tel 01865 252230

abrown2@oxford.gov.uk

The Committee considered the proposed scope of the Local Economy Panel (previously circulated, now appended). Cllr Darke presented the Panel’s proposed terms of reference. He explained that the Panel is going to centre their work on the geographical area of the city centre ie the area covered by the City Centre Manager. The focus will be on what the Council can do to mitigate disruption to the city centre economy during the re-development.

What can the city council do to minimise the time shop units are left empty.

The Committee resolved to APPROVE the terms of reference for the Local Economy Scrutiny Panel.

Minutes from 8 and 23 December Scrutiny Committee meetings

Recommendation: That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2014 be APPROVED as a true and accurate record.

Recommendation: That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 December 2014 be APPROVED as a true and accurate record.

Cllr Smith said her name was missing from the attendees list.

The Committee resolved to APPROVE the amended minutes of the meeting held on 8 December as a true and accurate record.

Meetings are scheduled as followed:

3 February 2015

2 March 2015

23 March 2015

5 May 2015

All meetings being at 6pm.

Officers were asked to find an alternative date for the May meeting in the week before the General Election.

The Committee noted the next meeting would be held on 3 February.