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 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 Drivers LOWERING 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 Drivers MAKING 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 Drivers RAISING EDUCATION STANDARDS Supporting schools to improve exam results A £25m programme of school building improvements

Key Issues and Drivers CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES Fighting to retain our green fields and open spaces Promoting Oxfordshire’s economy and jobs

Key Issues and Drivers KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE Providing grants for community youth facilities

Key Issues and Drivers IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE Expanding day services for older people to enhance independence

Key Issues and Drivers 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 Drivers My “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..

Key Issues and Drivers 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

Key Issues and Drivers 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

Key Issues and Drivers 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 Drivers New 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 1000 th year anniversary of the County in 2007

Key Issues and Drivers Over to you..… ….. questions and comments welcome