Download ppt - Key Issues and Drivers Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee Keith R Mitchell FCA FCCA Leader of the Council Joanna Simons Chief Executive 21 July 2005

Key Issues and DriversCorporate Governance Scrutiny

Committee

Keith R Mitchell FCA FCCA

Leader of the Council

Joanna SimonsChief Executive

21 July 2005

Key Issues and Drivers

• The new administration has promised a clear vision for Oxfordshire.

• The manifesto set out 24 pledges based on • low taxes• real choice• value for money

and the administration is aiming for early delivery of these.

Key Issues and DriversLOWERING TAXES

• Reducing the year-on-year rate of increase in Council Tax, subject to:– Local Government Settlement– The Balance of Funding Review– Council Tax Revaluation

Key Issues and DriversMAKING OXFORD A MORE

WELCOMING PLACE • Free parking at County Council Park and

Rides

• Piloting free on-street parking in Oxford in the evenings and on Sundays

Key Issues and DriversRAISING EDUCATION

STANDARDS• Supporting schools to improve exam results

• A £25m programme of school building improvements

Key Issues and DriversCREATING ENVIRONMENTAL

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

• Fighting to retain our green fields and open spaces

• Promoting Oxfordshire’s economy and jobs

Key Issues and DriversKEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE

• Providing grants for community youth facilities

Key Issues and DriversIMPROVING THE QUALITY OF

LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

• Expanding day services for older people to enhance independence


• For the new Administration to deliver its aims, we need to develop the organisation so that it: • has a “can do” philosophy with a strong culture

of accountability • is customer-focused• provides joined-up government

Key Issues and DriversMy “pub test”

If you hear people in a pub saying of the County Council:• “The County Council makes good use of our

money and provides good services”• “The County Council stands up for our

interests”• (and, if they work for us) “The County

Council is a great place to work”

We will know we are winning ..


• These are also the issues raised in the recent CPA assessment which saw us move from “fair” to “good” …• A clear long-term vision and priorities• Consistent implementation (eg customer service

standards) • Managing performance• Target setting• Financial control


Issues with a wider corporate impact which we will continue to progress:

– Reorienting services to respond to both “Every Child Matters” and the shift towards the “well being” agenda for adults

– The SE plan and the broader Regional agenda– Closer working with our District Council

colleagues and other partners in the OCP


• Over the next few months the Cabinet and CCMT will be working together on• Change management and getting from

where we are now to where we want to be• CPA 2005 … and in particular the Use of

Resources assessment• The implications of our Local Area

Agreement (LAA)

Key Issues and DriversNew Issues on the Horizon

• Potential changes to the local health economy

• A Green Paper on Local Government later this year

• And finally, an opportunity to celebrate Oxfordshire past, present and future with the 1000th year anniversary of the County in 2007


Over to you ..…

….. questions and comments welcome