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 16 July 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2024 were agreed 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 Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

This report is to inform the Budget Planning Committee of the proposed approach to the 2025/26 Budget and Business Planning Process and provides context and background information on the existing Medium-Term Financial Strategy and information on latest government announcements relevant to the Strategy.

Recommendations

The Budget Planning Committee resolves:

1.1         To note the contents of Appendices 1-5.

Resolved

(1)      That the contents of Appendices 1-5 be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report to inform the Budget Planning Committee of the proposed approach to the 2025/26 Budget and Business Planning Process and provides context and background information on the existing Medium-Term Financial Strategy and information on latest government announcements relevant to the Strategy.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the Reserves Policy and the flexible use capital receipts, the Head of Finance advised that there is currently no intention to apply to use capital receipts to fund revenue costs.

In response to Members’ questions to the Council adopting a transformational approach to service delivery to shape the thinking for the future design of the Council, the Head of Finance advised that the transformational approach had been looking at the shape and design of the organisation in anticipation of the significant pressures that the Council will face in the future with impact of the change of Business Rates on the net budget.

Resolved

(1)      That the Budget and Business Planning Process 2025-26 be noted.

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 2024/2025 as at 30 June 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 contents of this report.  

Resolved

(1)      That the report be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report that’s summarised Cherwell District Council’s (CDC’s) forecast revenue and capital outturn for 2024/2025 as at 30 June 2024 and gave the Committee the opportunity to consider the finance aspects of the report.

In response to Members’ questions on the reported overspend on planning appeals and the contingency in place, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources advised that officers are happy with the contingency in place however the situation is being monitored by officers as additional planning appeals are being received.

Resolved

(1)      That the report be noted.

To review the Committee Work Plan.

Resolved

(1)      That the work plan update be noted.

The Chairman asked the Committee if any Members had any queries or additional items for the Committee Work Plan to which no response was received.

Resolved

(1)      That the work plan be noted.