None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

The Executive Director, Development, will publish a report to introduce a final version of the Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire.   Cabinet previously considered and supported a version endorsed by the Growth Board (the Board) for consultation.

The report will update Cabinet on the consultation process, results and briefly summarise the main changes to the Vision, with the detail provided in the appendices. Finally, the report will present a final version of the Vision for consideration and agreement.

This report will be published as a supplement.

The Executive Director, Development had submitted a report which introduced a final version of the Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire (the Vision). Cabinet had previously considered and supported a version endorsed by the Growth Board for consultation.The report updated Cabinet on the consultation process, results and briefly summarised the main changes to the Vision. The report presented a final version of the Vision for consideration and agreement.

The Chair introduced the report, noting that it was being considered by all of Oxfordshire’s District Councils and the County Council. It represented the start of a process which sought to build up a vision for the County as whole and which would be owned by the Growth Board. The City Council had been able to contribute to and improve the present text. The Council would continue to make the case for an inclusive and sustainable County, something which was now beginning to emerge from the text in a way in which it had not originally.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Agree the Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire; and

2.    Ask that officers consider how to embed the Vision’s ambitions for Oxfordshire in future plans and strategies of the council.

The Director of Development has submitted a report for noting which  sets out a recent proposal which was agreed by the Growth Board on 22 March 2021 to establish an Environment Advisory Group, together with a set of Terms of Reference. Wider information is also provided concerning the establishment of a Local Nature Partnership for Oxfordshire, and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Environment Principles. 

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Support the establishment of a Growth Board Environment Advisory group;

2.    Endorse the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Environment Principles as set out at Appendix 3, recognising that this statement of ambition applies to a diverse range of urban and rural communities, and that further evidentiary work will be required at a local level to understand their longer-term implications; and  

3.    Support the development of an Arc Environment Strategy which will provide for how the principles can be delivered

The Executive Director, Development had submitted a report for noting which  set out a proposal which had been agreed by the Growth Board on 22 March 2021 to establish an Environment Advisory Group, together with a set of Terms of Reference. Wider information was also provided concerning the establishment of a Local Nature Partnership for Oxfordshire, and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Environment Principles. 

The Chair introduced the report by paying tribute to the contribution of Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, which had laid much of the groundwork for this area of Growth Board activity.

Councillor Hayes said that this workstrand followed naturally from the previous item, illustrating the Council’s influence in contributing to the wider Oxfordshire picture, through the promotion of its priorities, while working with partners, not all of whom might share the same values. He also noted the importance, reflected in the report, of ‘good growth’ which took proper account of the need to address the challenges of climate change. The Chair concluded by noting the continued need for housing, particularly affordable housing,  another important area of activity in relation to which  environmental considerations needed to be taken into account.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Support the establishment of a Growth Board Environment Advisory group;

2.    Endorse the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Environment Principles as set out at Appendix 3, recognising that this statement of ambition applies to a diverse range of urban and rural communities, and that further evidentiary work will be required at a local level to understand their longer-term implications; and  

3.    Support the development of an Arc Environment Strategy which will provide for how the principles can be delivered

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to seek authority to procure and delegation to award a contract to deliver the Council’s Furnished Tenancy Scheme.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.Give authority to procure a supplier or suppliers who will provide household furniture, white good and carpets as part of a Furnished Tenancy Scheme; and

2.Delegate to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, authority to award a Furnished Tenancy Scheme contract to a supplier, selected by an evaluation panel, following a fully compliant procurement process.

The Head of Housing Services had submitted a report to seek authority to procure and delegation to award a contract to deliver the Council’s Furnished Tenancy Scheme.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, introduced the report. The Council, as landlord, operated a furnished tenancy scheme which was taken up by 25-30% of tenants. The current contract was due to expire at the end of the month and the report sought to provide the authority to secure a new contract in accordance with best value principles. He confirmed that to all intents and purposes, the scheme would be available to to Oxford City Housing Limited as to the Council.

The Chair concluded by noting that she was proud that the City continued to operate such a scheme which was of such importance to so many tenants.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.Give authority to procure a supplier or suppliers who will provide household furniture, white good and carpets as part of a Furnished Tenancy Scheme; and

2.Delegate to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, authority to award a Furnished Tenancy Scheme contract to a supplier, selected by an evaluation panel, following a fully compliant procurement process.

Recommendation: That Cabinet resolves to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2021 as a true and accurate record.

Cabinet resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2021as a true and accurate record.

The Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) has submitted a report asking Cabinet to note the decisions taken by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) using the urgency powers delegated in Part 9.3(b) of the Constitution.

Recommendation:That Cabinet resolves to:

1.       Note the decisions taken as set out in the report

The Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) had submitted a report asking Cabinet to note the decisions taken by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) using the urgency powers delegated in Part 9.3(b) of the Constitution.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.         Note the decisions taken as set out in the report

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

16 June

14 July

09 August

15 September

13 October

11 November

15 December

All meetings start at 6pm.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

16 June

14 July

11 August

15 September

13 October

10 November

15 December

All meetings start at 6pm.

No matters were considered in confidential session.