Agenda, decisions and minutes


Venue: Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA

Contact: Emma Faulkner / Richard Woods, Democratic and Elections  Email: emma.faulkner@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk, 01327 322043 / Email: richard.woods@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk, 01295 221550

Items
No. Item

3.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

4.

Urgent Business

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

 

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 51 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 19 March and 14 May 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 19 March and 14 May 2019 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

 

6.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Minutes:

The Chairman advised Members that a workshop on the Cherwell Industrial Strategy would be held on Tuesday 11 June, in the Council Chamber. The workshop would run from 6pm to 9pm, buffet style refreshments would be available from 5:30pm, and invitations had been sent to all Members via email.

 

The Chairman also advised that there would be an information session for Members on Universal Credit, with representatives attending from the DWP. The session would be held on Wednesday 17 July, and further details would be circulated in due course.

 

7.

Monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report - March 2019 pdf icon PDF 991 KB

Report of the Executive Director Finance (interim) and the Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation

 

Purpose of report

 

This report summarises the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring position as at the end of each month.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

 1.1        To note the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report with this committee focussed on the finance section specifically

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)  That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report with specific focus on the finance section be noted.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report from the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance and the Assistant Director – Performance and Transformation, which summarised the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring position at the end of March 2019.

 

In introducing the report, the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised the Committee that a surplus of £431k had been reported for the 2018/19 financial year, and that it had been recommended by Executive to place this surplus into earmarked reserves.

 

In response to questions from Members regarding the Capital Programme, the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised that a Capital Programme underspend of £541k had been reported for the 2018/19 financial year.

 

Resolved

 

(1)  That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report with specific focus on the finance section be noted.

 

8.

Initial Overview of Business and Budget Planning Process for 2020/21 onwards pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Report of Executive Director Finance (interim) and Assistant Director: Performance and Transformation

 

Purpose of report

 

This paper provides an overview of the way in which Cherwell District Councils Business and Budget Planning Process for 2020/21 will be undertaken this year including ensuring there is a strong and transparent link between our overall Council objectives and our resource planning.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1      To note the proposed approach for Business and Budget Planning for         2020/21.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)  That the proposed approach for Business and Budget Planning for 2020/21 be noted.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report from the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance and the Assistant Director – Performance and Transformation, which provided an overview of the way in which Cherwell District Council’s Business and Budget Planning Process for 2020/21 would be undertaken.

 

The Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised the Committee that the Council faced significant challenges surrounding Local Government funding and potential reductions in the New Homes Bonus, leading to a potential deficit of approximately £3m in the revenue budget by 2020/21.

 

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the New Homes Bonus, the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised Members that there had been no guarantees from Central Government that the New Homes Bonus would continue at the same level beyond the current financial year. 

 

Resolved

 

(1)  That the proposed approach for Business and Budget Planning for 2020/21 be noted.

 

9.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2020-2021 pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Report of Executive Director Finance (interim)

 

Purpose of report

 

To provide members of Budget Planning Committee with an update on the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the changes to discounts, including the impact on collection rates.

 

To provide members with options to consider for a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-2021.    

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

 1.1        To note the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council.

 

1.2     To consider a review of the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme and to receive a further report on financial modelling for a new banded scheme and other options.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)  That the contents of the report and financial implications for the Council be noted.

 

(2)  That, having given due consideration, it be agreed that the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme be reviewed and a further report on financial modelling for a new banded scheme be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report from the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance, which provided Members with an update on the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the changes to discounts, including the impact on collection rates. The report also provided Members with options to consider for a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-2021.

 

In introducing the report, the Operations Director – CSN Resources advised Members that the current Council Tax Reduction scheme, which was based on a fixed cash grant of approximately 90% of the previous Council Tax Benefit subsidy, gave the Council a funding shortfall of £742,430 which was mostly offset by existing Council Tax Discounts.

 

Following questions from the Committee regarding the potential impact of Universal Credit on future Council Tax Reduction Schemes, the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance reassured Members that the most vulnerable customers in the District had continued receive all appropriate support that they were entitled to.

 

In response to further questions from Members regarding how future Council Tax changes would be communicated to customers, the Operations Director – CSN Resources advised that any future changes would go out to full consultation beforehand.

 

Resolved

 

(1)  That the contents of the report and financial implications for the Council be noted.

 

(2)  That, having given due consideration, it be agreed that the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme be reviewed and a further report on financial modelling for a new banded scheme be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

 

10.

2019/20 Work Programme pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Report of Executive Director Finance (interim)

 

Purpose of report

 

This report sets out the draft work programme for 2019/20.

 

Recommendations

            

1.1         To review the work programme contained within this report.

 

1.2         Approve the work programme for 2019/20.

 

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)  That, having reviewed the Work Programme for 2019/20, it be approved.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the draft work programme for 2018-2019.

 

Resolved

 

(1)  That, having reviewed the Work Programme for 2019/20, it be approved.