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 correct records the minutes of the meetings held on 9 March 2021 and 19 May 2021.

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee on 9 March 2021 and 19 May 2021 were confirmed as a correct 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 the Director of Finance.

Purpose of Report

To enable members to consider the current banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

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, and that no   consultation takes place.

Resolved

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

(2)      That it be recommended to Executive that the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme be retained for 2022-2023.

(3)      That no consultation take place, due to the recommendation to retain the current scheme

The Director of Finance submitted a report which enabled members to consider the current banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction.

In  response to questions from the Committee the Interim Assistant Director for Revenues and Benefits Services explained that the hardship fund would still be available in 2022-23. A proactive view had been taken in 2020-2021 and maximum grants were applied where applicable and this approach would continue.

In response to comments regarding the extent of advertising the hardship fund, the Interim Assistant Director for Revenues and Benefits Services undertook to advise Committee Members outside of the meeting with details of where information was made available.

Resolved

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

(2)      That it be recommended to Executive that the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme be retained for 2022-2023.

(3)      That no consultation take place, due to the recommendation to retain the current scheme

Report of the Director of Finance.

Purpose of Report

This report summarises Cherwell District Council’s (CDC’s) revenue and capital outturn position for 2020/21.  The Committee is responsible for monitoring the finance elements of the report.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1     To note the finance elements of the report.

Resolved

(1)      That the finance elements of the report be noted.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which summarised Cherwell District Council’s revenue and capital outturn position for 2020/21.

Resolved

(1)      That the finance elements of the report be noted.

Report of the Finance Director.

Purpose of Report

To provide the Budget Planning Committee with a review of the 2021/22 Budget Process.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1     To note the review of the 2021/22 Budget and Business Planning Process.

1.2     To recommend to the Executive that the proposed improvements at section 3.9 be incorporated into the 2022/23 Budget and Business Planning Process.

Resolved

(1)      That the review of the 2021-2022 Budget and Business Planning Process be noted.

(2)      That Executive be recommended to incorporate the following proposed improvements into the 2022-2023 Budget and Business Planning Process;

·       Review how the Council allocates its resources to ensure they are aligned with the Council’s priorities;

·       Carry out additional engagement with residents on the Council’s priorities and services it provides to inform savings proposals;

·       Look to ensure that the Capital Budget proposals are developed to the same timeline as the revenue budget proposals and that these are considered earlier in the financial year;

(3)      That it be recommended to Executive that a process be introduced for urgent Capital Bids to be considered outside of the normal budget planning process.

The Director of Finance submitted a report which provided the Budget Planning Committee with a review of the 2021/22 Budget Process.

In considering the report, some Members commented on the timing of the Committee’s review of Capital Bids.  Members requested that they should be considered earlier in the process alongside Revenue Proposals.  Members also suggested that consideration should be given to a mechanism to enable urgent items to be considered outside the normal budget planning process.

In response to questions from the Committee the Assistant Director of Finance explained that the residents survey on the Council’s priorities and services was in the planning stage and was expected to be carried out during the summer.

Resolved

(1)      That the review of the 2021-2022 Budget and Business Planning Process be noted.

(2)      That Executive be recommended to incorporate the following proposed improvements into the 2022-2023 Budget and Business Planning Process;

·       Review how the Council allocates its resources to ensure they are aligned with the Council’s priorities;

·       Carry out additional engagement with residents on the Council’s priorities and services it provides to inform savings proposals;

·       Look to ensure that the Capital Budget proposals are developed to the same timeline as the revenue budget proposals and that these are considered earlier in the financial year;

(3)      That it be recommended to Executive that a process be introduced for urgent Capital Bids to be considered outside of the normal budget planning process.

To review the Committee Work Plan.

Verbal update from the Director of Finance.

Resolved

(1)      That the verbal update be noted.

The Assistant Director – Finance gave a verbal update regarding the work plan.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Chairman advised that items to be considered for the workplan should be emailed to the Chairman and the Director of Finance.

Resolved

(1)      That the verbal update be noted.