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.

6. Monthly Performance, Finance and Risk Monitoring Report.

Councillor Andrew McHugh, Non Statutory Interest, as a trustee of Banbury Museum.

Councillor Shaida Hussain, Non Statutory Interest, as a trustee of Banbury Museum.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 July 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman, in the Chair.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held virtually on 9 December 2021 and 25 January 2022 were also confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman, in the Chair.

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 Director of Finance

Purpose of report

This report summarises Cherwell District Council’s (CDC’s) forecast revenue and capital outturn position for 2021/22 as at January 2022 to give the Committee the opportunity to consider the financial aspects of the report.

Recommendations

1.1     To note the contents of the report.

Resolved

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

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report which summarised Cherwell District Council’s forecast revenue and capital outturn position for 2021/22 as at January 2022 to give the Committee the opportunity to consider the financial aspects of the report.

The Strategic Business Partner explained that the current review of aged debt was taking longer than usual and involved the legal department. An Aged Debt Report would be brought to the committee at the appropriate time giving the current position and the total amount of right offs.

In response to questions from the committee, the Strategic Business Partner  explained that Covid specific financial tasks were coming to an end.  The test and trace finished on 24 March and current covid related grant payments were ending on 31 March.

The Committee was advised of an error in appendix 1 of the report.  In section 3.29, Re-profile beyond 2021/22, 8, under the Commercial Development, Assets, and Investments information, it stated that work on Bodicote House Fire Compliance “was on hold due to political pressures”.  This was incorrect and the reason should have been consistent with the information provided at line 40191 of Appendix 2 and read that the work was on hold while scope was being reviewed to ascertain the actual requirements.

In response to Member’s comments regarding decarbonisation works, the Assistant Director of Finance explained that there had been an extension to the grant expiry date to end of June/early July due  to many councils experiencing problems allocating the grant within the original time frame.

In response to questions from the Committee the Assistant Director of Finance explained that he was unaware of an impact assessment on the delay of projects in progress or not yet started due to decarbonisation and would circulate the information to Members outside of the meeting.

Resolved

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

The Assistant Director of Finance to give a verbal update on the Committee Work Plan for 2022/2023.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Tuesday 7 June 2022.

Resolved

(1)      That it be agreed that following consultation with the Chairman the 2022/23 work plan be circulated to Budget Planning Committee Members.

The Assistant Director of Finance explained that the 2022/23 work plan had not been confirmed and once consultation with the Chairman had taken place, the 2022/23 work plan would be circulated to Budget Planning Committee Members.

Resolved

(1)      That it be agreed that following consultation with the Chairman the 2022/23 work plan be circulated to Budget Planning Committee Members.