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Council Agenda
Contact: Steven Corrigan, Democratic Services Manager Telephone number 07717 274704 Email: steven.corrigan@southandvale.gov.uk Date: 7 February 2023 Website: www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk
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Summons to attend
a meeting of Council
to be held on Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 7.00 pm
The Ridgeway, The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BY
Patrick Arran
Head of Legal and Democratic
Alternative formats of this publication are available on request. These include large print, Braille, audio, email and easy read. For this or any other special requirements (such as access facilities) please contact the officer named on this agenda. Please give as much notice as possible before the meeting.
Agenda
Open to the public including the press
1. Apologies for absence
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To record apologies for absence.
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2. Minutes
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(Pages 7 - 17)
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To adopt and sign as a correct record the Council minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022 - attached.
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3. Declarations of interest
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To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.
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4. Urgent business and chair's announcements
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To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair.
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5. Public participation
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To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak.
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6. Petitions
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To receive any petitions from the public.
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7. Treasury Management Mid-Year Monitoring Report 2022/23
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(Pages 18 - 33)
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The Joint Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 31 January 2023, considered the report of the head of finance on the treasury management mid-year monitoring report. The committee noted the treasury management mid-year monitoring report and was satisfied that the treasury activities were carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy.
Cabinet considered the comments of the committee at its meeting on 3 February 2023 and made recommendations to Council as set out below.
The report of the head of finance is attached.
RECOMMENDATION: to
1. approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;
2. note that Cabinet is satisfied that the treasury activities are carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy.
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8. Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2023/24
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(Pages 34 - 71)
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The Joint Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 31 January 2023, considered the report of the head of finance on the council’s treasury management and investment strategy for 2023/24. The committee made recommendations to Cabinet to approve the treasury management strategy, prudential indicators, and annual investment strategy.
Cabinet considered the recommendations at its meeting on 3 February 2023 and made recommendations to Council as set out below.
The report of the head of finance is attached.
RECOMMENDATION: to
1. approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;
2. approve the treasury management strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report;
3. approve the prudential indicators and limits for 2023/24 to 2025/26, as set out in appendix A to the report; and
4. approve the annual investment strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report, and the lending criteria detailed in table 6 in appendix A to the report.
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9. Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2032/33
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(Pages 72 - 90)
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Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of finance on the capital strategy for 2023/24 to 2032/33.
Cabinet made recommendations to council as set out below.
RECOMMENDATION: to
1. approve the capital strategy 2023/24 to 2032/33, contained in appendix one of the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023; and 2. agree the strategy for flexible use of capital receipts which is contained as annex 1 of the capital strategy.
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10. Revenue Budget 2023/24 and Capital Programme to 2027/28
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(Pages 91 - 134)
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Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of finance on the the draft revenue budget 2023/24, and the capital programme to 2027/28.
The Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 30 January 2023 and noted the report.
The report of the chief financial officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves is attached.
RECOMMENDATION: to1. set the revenue budget for 2023/24, as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023; 2. approve the capital programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28, as set out in appendix D.1 to the report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.2 and appendix D.3 to the report; 3. set the council’s prudential limits, as listed in appendix E to the report; 4. approve the medium term financial plan to 2027/28, as set out in appendix F to the report. |
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11. Council Tax 2023/24
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To consider the report of the head of finance on the setting of the council tax for the 2023/24 financial year. Following receipt of all the required information the report is being checked by officers prior to despatch.
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12. Milton Park - Proposed Revised Local Development Order
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(Pages 135 - 282)
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Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of planning on the adoption of a revised Local Development Order for Milton Park.
Cabinet made recommendations to council as set out below.
RECOMMENDATION: to adopt the Milton Park Local Development Order, as set out in Appendix 1 to the head of planning’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023, subject to completion of a legal agreement securing the elements referred to in paragraph 24 of the report.
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13. Pay Policy Statement 2023/24
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(Pages 283 - 288)
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To consider the report of the head of corporate services attached.
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14. Progress on approved Council motions
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(Pages 289 - 293)
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To note progress on the approved Council motions – paper attached.
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15. Report of the Leader of the council
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To receive the report of the Leader of the council.
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16. Questions on notice
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To receive questions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 33.
A. Question from Councillor Bob Johnston to Councillor Debby Hallett – Cabinet member for Corporate Services and Transformation
Now that work on OxPlan50 has ceased, what are the council’s priorities for the new Joint Local Plan 2041?
B. Question from Councillor Emily Smith to Councillor Bethia Thomas - Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Engagement
Our district is home to so many inspirational individuals, charities and community groups. Over the past three years as we have lived through COVID-19 and now a national cost of living crisis, it's been incredible how Vale residents have stepped up to help each other.
During COVID-19 the Chair's Community Awards were not able to go ahead, but it would be wonderful to recognise the contribution of some of the volunteers we work with in our communities in some way. Are there any plans to hold the community awards again, or something similar?
C. Question from Councillor Andy Cooke to Councillor Helen Pighills - Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities
I am aware that the Council has done much work to support refugees; I’m personally aware of support given to refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Residents of my ward have been very welcoming to refugees; it’s something that gives me pride, so it does make the issue close to my heart. I’d like to take the opportunity to have the work done by officers behind the scenes highlighted, as it is something in which the entire Council can take pride.
Could you give Council an outline of the work done by the officers and the council to support refugees over the past year and more, and an overview of the schemes involved?
D. Question from Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne to Councillor Judy Roberts – Cabinet Member for Development, Infrastructure and Development Management
People living in the Didcot area have seen a great deal of growth in housing numbers and population in their town and the surrounding area over recent years. Local residents expect the infrastructure to be provided to support this and any future growth. I understand that the S106 agreement for Great Western Park included money allocated for a much needed GP surgery.
Can we have an update on progress of the healthcare facility? Additionally, can the role of the council in provision of healthcare services be explained?
E. Question from Councillor Nathan Boyd to Councillor Helen Pighills – Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities
We know that Vale of White Horse District Council has played an important role in the relocation and housing of refugees from Afghanistan and the upsurge in those arriving in the UK via small boats, and thanks should go to our officers who have played a significant role on this.
Is the Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities able to say how many refugees and asylum seekers this council has assisted since 2019 and what ongoing support is available to those seeking safety and asylum in our district?
F. Question from Councillor Ben Mabbett to Councillor Andy Crawford – Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Assets
The Beacon in Wantage is a vital hub for both the surrounding community and our wider District and an excellent events facility, providing a great location for public arts performances and as an excellent meeting venue. There have long been rumours of a possible closure and development of the site stretching back over several administrations.
Can the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Assets confirm that The Beacon is remaining open for the foreseeable future as a vital community asset?
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17. Motions on notice
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No motions on notice have been submitted by councillors.
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18. Exclusion of the public (if required)
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To consider whether to exclude members of the press and public from the meeting for an item of business under Part 1 of Schedule 12A Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 on the grounds that: (i) it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1-7 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and (ii) the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. |