Agenda

The Chair to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2026.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

(Please note appendix 3 is not used for this report)

Report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To consider and recommend the Budget Setting for 2026/27 and MTFS 2030/31 as per the recommendations.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves to:

1.1           Recommend this budget proposal to Council, and in doing so note the summary of consultation responses in Appendix 10.

1.2           Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer (S151), following consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Finance, Regeneration and Property to complete the legal Council Tax calculations once all the information required has been received and submit as appendices to the budget report to Council.

1.3           Delegate authority to the S151, following consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Finance, Regeneration and Property to make appropriate changes to the proposed budget to Council including policies and plans.

The Executive resolves to recommend to Council as follows:

1.4           Approve the proposed Fees and Charges schedule for 2026/27 (Appendix 7) and statutory notices be placed where required.

1.5           Consider and note the Equality Impact Assessments of the Budget (Appendix 8)

1.6           In relation to the Corporate Plan (Section 4.1) to:

1.6.1     Note the Corporate Plan Vision and Strategy set out in Appendix 1.

1.6.2     Approve the Annual Delivery Plan set out in Appendix 2.

1.7           In relation to the Revenue Budget Strategy (Section 4.2) and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Section 4.6) to approve:

1.7.1     The net revenue budget for the financial year commencing on 1 April 2026, as set out in Table 4.2.1, and further analysed in the Budget Book provided at Appendix 12.

1.7.2     The MTFS and Revenue Budget 2026/27 (Sections 4.6 and 4.2 respectively), including the Savings Proposals and Investments included at Appendices 4 and 5 respectively.

1.8           In relation to Council Tax (Section 4.2.49) to approve:

1.8.1     An increase in the Basic Amount of Council Tax for Cherwell District Council for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2026 of £5, resulting in a Band D charge of £163.50 per annum.

1.8.2     From 1 April 2027 the implementation of a premium (second homes premium) of 100% for dwellings that are no one’s sole or main residence and are substantially furnished, following consultation undertaken in November and December 2024 which showed 88% support for the introduction.

1.8.3     That the mandatory notice of 12 months to all owners of second homes that a premium will commence from 1 April 2027 be issued.

1.8.4     That relevant exceptions be applied as set out by Government guidance (Appendix 22).

1.9           In relation to the Capital Programme and related strategies (Section 4.3) to approve:

1.9.1     The Capital Bid(s) and Capital Programme at Appendices 17 and 18 respectively.

1.9.2     The Capital and Investment Strategy 2026/27 (Appendix 19), including the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy.

1.9.3     The Treasury Management Strategy, including the Prudential Indicators, and Affordable Borrowing Limit for 2026/27 (Appendix 21).

1.10       In relation to reserves (Section 4.4), to approve:

1.10.1  A minimum level of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and Interim Head of Chief Executive’s Office

Purpose of report

To report to Executive the council’s forecast year-end financial, performance and risk position as of the end of Quarter 3 2025, further detail can be found in the report and its appendices.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To consider and note the contents of the council’s finance, performance, and risk management report as at Quarter 3.

1.2           To note the approval of £0.010m from Policy Contingency for the Climate Change Action Plan for 2025/26, approved within S151 delegations.

1.3           To approve the reprofiling of projects in the capital programme as per Appendix 1.

1.4           To note the budgets approved under S151 delegations within in the capital programme held within Table 7 of the report.

Report of Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety

Purpose of report

To request Executive approval to confirm the revocation of the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Bicester.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To revoke Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) No.4 (Kings End/Queens Avenue, Bicester)

The following reports contain exempt information as defined in the following paragraph of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider them in private or in public. In making the decision, Members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

No representations have been received from the public requesting that any item be considered in public.

Should Members decide not to make decisions in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Exempt report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Exempt report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Exempt report Assistant Director Property

Exempt report of Assistant Director Property

Exempt report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)