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Sat Jun 29
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Sat Jun 1

Cherwell Council Defers Decision on GHVDC Bonus Scheme

In the past week, the Cherwell District Council held the following meetings:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Shareholder Committee on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Shareholder Committee on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. This meeting focused on a proposed bonus scheme for the leadership team at Graven Hill Village Development Company.

Graven Hill Village Development Company Bonus Scheme

The most significant topic discussed this week was the proposed bonus scheme for the leadership team at Graven Hill Village Development Company (GHVDC). The Shareholder Committee deferred making a decision on the bonus scheme, requesting more information on its practical implementation.

The proposed bonus scheme targets the Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer, and the recently appointed Sales and Marketing Director. It is designed to incentivise the leadership team based on the company’s performance against key metrics, such as the number of homes sold and the amount of profit generated.

The bonus scheme is intended to ensure that the leadership team is incentivised to deliver the company’s objectives.

Paragraph 3, page 2, Graven Hill Village Development Company GHVDC - Bonus Scheme 202425 Update - Matters requiring th

Several councillors expressed concerns about the scheme. Councillor Reynolds questioned the appropriateness of a council-owned company operating a bonus scheme, emphasizing the need to align with the council’s values:

We need to be mindful of the fact that GHVDC is a company that is wholly owned by the council, and as such, we have a responsibility to ensure that it is run in a way that is consistent with the council’s values.

Meeting Transcript, Page 4, Line 12

Councillor Mrs. Davies highlighted potential conflicts of interest, suggesting that the scheme might lead to the leadership team prioritising personal financial gain over the company’s best interests.

The committee concluded by deferring the decision and requesting further details on the scheme’s implementation. This deferral indicates the council’s cautious approach to ensuring that any incentive schemes align with broader governance principles and values.

For more detailed information, you can access the full meeting transcript here.

Cherwell Council Approves Hayford Park Neighbourhood Area and Reviews Financial Performance

In the past week, the Cherwell District Council held the following meetings:

Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 13 June 2024. The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Executive on Monday, 10 June 2024.
Cherwell Parish Liaison Meeting on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Cherwell Parish Liaison Meeting on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Unknown committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

The most impactful meeting this week was the Executive meeting held on Monday, 10 June 2024. Here are the key decisions and discussions from that meeting:

Designation of a Neighbourhood Area for Hayford Park

The council approved the application for the designation of a neighbourhood area for the parish of Hayford Park. This decision was based on the argument that the existing Midsharwell neighbourhood plan, which includes 12 parishes, is too extensive to effectively address the unique needs of Hayford Park. Parish Councillor Tim Coggins highlighted that:

True neighbourhood planning is meant to be focused and localised, reflecting the unique character and needs of individual communities like Hayford Park.

The council's decision allows Hayford Park to develop its own neighbourhood plan, ensuring that local governance is more tailored to its specific requirements.

Performance, Risk, and Finance Monitoring Report for 2023-2024

The council reviewed and approved the Performance, Risk, and Finance Monitoring Report for the end of the financial year 2023-2024. Key points included:

The council's financial position is balanced, with a contribution to reserves of £4.461 million.
The council achieved 26 out of 27 objectives from its Business Plan.
The net additional housing completions goal was behind target, achieving 77.4% of the set objective.

Oxfordshire Council's Charter

The council endorsed the Oxfordshire Council's Charter, a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing partnership working across councils in the county. This charter is intended to improve communication and joint efforts between district and parish councils.

Appointments to Partnerships and Outside Bodies

The council made several appointments to partnerships, outside bodies, member champions, and the shareholder committee for the year 2024-2025. These appointments are crucial for ensuring that the council is well-represented in various external organisations and initiatives.

Dedington Neighbourhood Plan

The council noted the urgent officer decision regarding the making of the Dedington Neighbourhood Plan. This plan, which was approved by the full council on 22 May 2024, aims to guide development and land use in the Dedington area.

For more detailed information, you can access the full meeting transcript here.

This week's Executive meeting highlights the council's ongoing efforts to ensure effective local governance, financial stability, and collaborative working with other councils and communities.

Cherwell Council's First Audit and Risk Committee: Key Decisions and Financial Insights

In the past week, the Cherwell District Council held the following meeting:

Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

This meeting was particularly significant as it marked the first audit and risk committee session of the new council. The meeting included introductions from various members and independent persons, Harry Lawson and Sarah Thompson, who shared their backgrounds and expertise.

Key points from the meeting included:

Annual Report of the Chief Internal Auditor 2023-2024:
- The overall opinion was graded as satisfactory, indicating a good system of control over governance, risk management, and internal control across the council.
- The audit plan was completed in full by the end of April 2024.
- One audit, utilities management, was graded red due to identified weaknesses. Efforts are underway to address these issues.

Sarah Cox, the Chief Internal Auditor, noted:

I'm very pleased to know the overall opinion is satisfactory, graded as satisfactory. And that's saying that, you know, that's a good there's a good system of control over the systems for governance and risk management and internal control across the council. - Sarah Cox

Internal Audit Work Programme 2024-2025:
- The committee approved the internal audit work programme and the proposed internal audit charter.
- Verito, a shared service company, has been engaged to develop and deliver the council's internal audit programme.
Housing Benefit Subsidy Audit 2020-2021:
- The council must repay the DWP £210,792 due to errors identified in the housing benefit subsidy claim.
- Measures are being implemented to improve the accuracy of future claims.
Treasury Management Report 2023-2024:
- The council had borrowings of £181 million and investments of £22 million as of 31 March 2024.
- The net borrowing position decreased by £15 million since the previous year.
- The council received a dividend from Graven Hill of £500,000, resulting in a positive variance in the budget.
Annual Governance Report 2023-2024:
- The report provides assurance on the council's decision-making, priority setting, performance, and risk management.
- The committee approved the report and authorized the leader of the council and the chief executive to sign it.
External Audit Plan 2023-2024:
- Bishop Fleming has been appointed as the new external auditor for the council.
- The audit plan was presented, outlining significant risks and the audit timetable.
Whistleblowing Policy:
- The committee approved a revised whistleblowing policy to ensure employees can confidently report serious concerns.
- The policy will now be owned by the monitoring officer, emphasizing the council's commitment to addressing serious wrongdoing.

The meeting highlighted the council's commitment to maintaining robust governance and financial management practices. The introduction of new auditors and the approval of key reports and policies indicate a proactive approach to addressing challenges and improving transparency.

For more detailed information, you can access the full meeting transcript here.