Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as correct records the minutes of the meetings held on 10 March and 20 May 2026.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on10 March 2026 and 20 May 2026 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

There were no Chair’s announcements.

The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To enable members to consider the proposed banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme for 2027/28.

Recommendations

The Budget Planning Committee resolves:

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

1.2           To recommend to Executive that the current scheme is retained for 2027/28.

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

(2)      That, having given due consideration, Executive be recommended to agree that the current scheme is retained for 2027/28.

The Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to enable members to consider the proposed banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme for 2027/28.

In introducing the report, as the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Hingley, advised the Committee that the scheme had been introduced in April 2020 following a period of consultation and engagement. In general, the scheme had been well received.  The current scheme, uprated for inflation, was proposed for 2027/28.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance reported that the CDC Council Tax collection rate for 2025/26 was 97.81%, which was one of the highest collection rates across Oxfordshire authorities.

In response to a question regarding how Local Government Reorganisation would affect the scheme, the Portfolio Holder for Finance explained that the Government had not yet given its decision on the future unitary councils in Oxfordshire. Each new unitary would be responsible for setting its own scheme which would need to be fit for purpose and in accordance with relevant legislation.

It was proposed by Councillor Vaitkus and seconded by Councillor Cherry that, having given due consideration, Budget Planning Committee recommend to the Executive that the current scheme be retained for 2027/28.

Resolved

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

(2)      That, having given due consideration, Executive be recommended to agree that the current scheme is retained for 2027/28.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To report to the committee the council’s financial position at the end of the financial year 2025-2026.

Recommendations

The Budget Planning Committee resolves:

1.1     To note the contents of this report.  

(1)      That the report be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to report to the Committee the council’s financial position at the end of the financial year 2025-2026.

In introducing the report, as the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Hingley, reported that the council’s overall year-end position for 2025/26 was an overspend of £0.114m before contributions to / from reserves, after which the overall year end position was balanced.

In response to a question regarding the use of £2.1m reserves to fund a business rates shortfall in 2025/26, the Head of Finance advised that the shortfall was due to a higher levy on growth and lower pooling income than estimated.

Resolved

(1)      That the report be noted.

To review the Committee Work Plan.

(1)      That the work programme be noted.

The Committee considered its work plan. Councillor Cherry requested that the financial aspects regarding security at the council’s former office, Bodicote House, be added to the work programme. With Councillor Cherry’s agreement, officers undertook to provide a written response to the Committee.

Resolved

(1)      That the work programme be noted.