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 23 January 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 January 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

At the discretion of the Chairman, the Portfolio Holder for Finance addressed the meeting. The Portfolio Holder for Finance explained that this was the Chairman, Councillor Patrick Clarke’s last meeting at Cherwell District Council as he was standing down as a councillor at the May elections. The Portfolio Holder for Finance thanked the Chairman for his diligence and hard work as Chairman of Budget Planning Committee over the past year.

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 (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

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

Recommendations

The Budget Planning Committee resolves:

1.1       To note the content of the report and to consider and comment on the proposals.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the finance performance update report be noted.  

The Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report which summarised Cherwell District Council’s forecast revenue and capital outturn for 2023/2024 as at 31 January 2024 to give the Committee the opportunity to consider the finance aspects of the report.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that the Council’s forecast outturn position for 2023/2024 was an underspend of (£0.059m).? This was after an underspend within Policy contingency which would offset the lower than budgeted in-year income of S31 grant. The overall forecast position was an improvement of (£0.059m) over the previous month’s forecast.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the finance performance update report be noted. 

To review the Committee Work Plan.

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme update be noted.

The Strategic Business Partner - Business Partnering & Controls gave an update on the Committee work plan.

The Strategic Business Partner - Business Partnering & Controls advised that the first meeting of the 2024/2025 municipal year was on 16 July. Prior to this, Local Government Finance training was scheduled on Tuesday 4 June.

Resolved

(1)            That the work programme update be noted.