Agenda, decisions and 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 a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2023.

Following a comment from Councillor Hodgson regarding Minute 8, Budget Process 2024-25, in relation to the discussion on government funding, it was agreed that this would be discussed at agenda item 8, Review of Committee Work Plan.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2023 were agreed record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

The Chairman 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

Purpose of report

This report summarises Cherwell District Council’s (CDC’s) forecast revenue and capital outturn for 2023/2024 as at 31 July 2023 to give the Committee the opportunity to consider the finance aspects of the report.

Recommendation

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To note the contents of this report.

Resolved

(1)       That the contents of the report be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report that summarised the council’s forecast revenue and capital outturn for 2023/2024 as of 31 July 2023.

In response to a question from the Committee regarding if officers had prepared or were putting plans in place to address a potential loss of income if the government changed the law to  replace glass bottle bank recycling with kerbside collection, Councillor Nell, Portfolio Holder for Finance, advised that there were regular discussions on the price of recycled glass and that officers would provide a written response to the Committee.

In response to questions from the Committee asking for the background to why the property area was showing the greatest change for the worse in the report, the Strategic Business Partner advised the Committee that the main reason is that there was currently a dependency on the use of agency staff in certain areas however recruitment is currently on going in this area.

Following a question from the Committee regarding the use of grants in how the capital programme would be financed and what grants specifically these were, the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that there were many grants. Officer would provide a written response to the Committee.

Resolved

(1)       That the report be noted.

The Head of Finance will give a verbal update on upcoming consultations central government consultations regarding budgetary matters.

Recommendation

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the verbal update.

Resolved

(1)      That the verbal update be noted.

The Head of Finance gave a verbal update to the committee on upcoming consultations from central government regarding budgetary matters and advised that there were none to report at this time.

Resolved

(1)      That the verbal update be noted.

The Strategic Business Partner – Business Partnering & Controls to give a verbal update on the Committee Work Plan.

Resolved

(1)      That the update on the Committee Work plan be noted.

The Strategic Business Partner – Business Partnering & Controls presented the Budget Planning Committee Work Plan. At the next scheduled meeting on 31 October 2023, the Committee would consider the monitoring report for Q2.  The 2024/25 Budget Proposals - Revenue and Capital and Fees & Charges would be submitted to the 5 December 2023 meeting.

In the course of discussion at the earlier agenda item 3 regarding government funding to the Council, the Leader, Councillor Wood, had suggested that officers give a presentation at a future committee meeting giving an overview on council funding, including central funding, council tax receipts and other income.

Members endorsed the suggestion and highlighted other areas the Committee could include on its work programme at the appropriate time: innovation in relation to the budget and financial affairs of the council and possible future ideas that the Committee could contribute to; housing; car parking, and refuse.

Resolved

(1)      That the update on the Committee Work plan be noted.