Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence. 

None

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 5 February 2010 (previously published). 

The Executive adopted its minutes from the meeting held on 5 February 2010. 

To receive any declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

None

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.

The Chair announced that the council had received a letter from Eric Pickles MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, informing of changes to the planning system.  The detail was yet to be established but this was likely to affect the council’s local development framework. 

Any statements, petitions and questions from the public under standing order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting. 

None

Appended to the agenda is a schedule of requests for virements.  Table 1 sets out virement requests for approval by the Executive.  Table 2 sets out virements approved under delegated authority by the Strategic Director. 

Recommendation

that the virements set out in table 1 of the agenda report be approved. 

The Executive considered an agenda report setting out a request for a virement (table 1).  Councillors approved the request. 

The Executive also noted a virement approved by the Chief Finance Officer under delegated authority (table 2). 

RESOLVED

That the Executive approves the virement set out in table 1 of the agenda report. 

To receive and consider report 3/10 of the Principal Performance Management Officer. 

The Executive considered report 3/10 of the Principal Performance Management Officer.  This summarised the council’s performance in the period January to March 2010 against national indicators, local area agreement targets, and local performance targets.  There was also an analysis of staff sickness and turnover, and a summary of what went well and not so well. 

Councillors noted that there were some performance figures missing from the report as third parties provided these.  The officer expected to receive the missing data before year end and would send this to executive portfolio holders as it became available.  The Executive called for a consolidation report in around six months’ time. 

The Executive discussed the number of indicators and targets.  The Chair asked for officers and portfolio holders to review their indicators and targets and bring forward proposals to reduce them to a more manageable level. 

The Executive reviewed the performance report as follows:

• The Executive noted the low levels of sickness across the council but in particular congratulated the Strategic Director’s office and the Health and Housing services for their good records. 

• In relation to local performance target 333, the number of households prevented from becoming homeless, councillors congratulated the officers for their strong performance during the recession. 

• There was good news on the performance against the targets for recycling, the collection of residual household waste, and street cleansing.  Despite the loss of time due to snow, performance was on target and improving due to good work by the council’s client team and its contractor, Veolia. 

• Councillors noted that there had been some improvement by the council’s contractor, Capita, in its performance on processing benefits claims accurately.  The Ridgeway Shared Services Partnership continued to monitor this.  The next Capita performance report was due at the end of June. 

• With regard to the number of vacant shop units in the Vale’s market towns, these had reduced, particularly in Faringdon and Wantage.  Councillors thanked the officers for their part in this. 

Executive members were asked to keep track of performance within their portfolios. 

RESOLVED

That the progress made against performance targets, service plans, and the end of year predictions be noted, and the executive portfolio holders continue to monitor their local performance targets. 

To receive and consider report 4/10 of the Head of Corporate Strategy. 

The Chair announced the withdrawal of this item from the agenda for consideration at a later meeting. 

To receive and consider report 5/10 of the Head of Economy, Leisure, and Property. 

The Executive considered report 5/10 of the Head of Economy, Leisure, and Property.  This sought approval to allocate capital funding for essential repairs and refurbishment works at the council’s leisure facilities and for potential works to Abbey House in Abingdon. 

Councillors rejected the option of not carrying out the proposed works due to health and safety implications.  They also rejected the option to prioritise other works for 2010/11 as this could create more significant and costly difficulties should the prioritised works not be undertaken.  They concluded that the need for repairs and refurbishments was an inevitable consequence of owning and operating complex multi-functional buildings.  The council had great pride in the quality of its facilities and these works ensured its services would continue in well-maintained and suitable buildings. 

RESOLVED

That the allocation of £200,000 capital expenditure in 2010/11 is approved for essential repair and refurbishment works at the leisure facilities and for refurbishment works at Abbey House in Abingdon, as set out in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of report 5/10. 

To receive and consider report 6/10 of the Head of Corporate Strategy. 

The Executive considered report 6/10 of the Head of Economy, Leisure, and Property.  This suggested that the council should act as an accountable body and forward-funding facility for three projects in Faringdon.  The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) had funded these projects.  Funding was not available until project completion and the organisations hoping to secure the funding did not have sufficient funds to proceed but the council was able to provide the initial funds. 

The Oxfordshire Market Towns Forum had recommended three projects to SEEDA’s small rural towns funding body:

• The renovation of the Folly tower (funding of £25,000)
• A skate park for Faringdon (£21,000)
• A new community bus for Faringdon (£15,000)

SEEDA had yet to consider the funding requests.  However, if it rejected the requests, the council would not act as the accountable body.  If SEEDA approved the requests, it would enter into a contract with the council.  The council would make monthly claims to SEEDA.  There was a minimal risk for the council in funding these projects if these projects were not completed. 

Councillors concluded that without the council’s help, these projects would not be able to proceed.  The council’s involvement helped unlock match funding.  Therefore, the Executive agreed to the request and asked that the council’s assistance with these projects was publicised. 

RESOLVED

(a)       that the council acts as the accountable body for SEEDA-funded projects in Faringdon; and

(b)       that the Executive agrees to a forward-funding facility for SEEDA-funded projects in Faringdon, as set out in appendix 1 of report 6/10. 

None