Agenda item

Report of Assistant Director of Finance and Interim Assistant Director – Customer Focus

Purpose of report

This report summarises the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring positions as at the end of July 2022.

Please note: a clarification regarding the Performance, Risk and Finance Executive Report presented on Monday 6 July – section 5.4. Cherwell District Council always fully considers the needs of all clients when offering placements. We never ‘impose’ offers out of area, but in some cases, it may be in the best interests of the client.  

We take this responsibility very seriously and to date this year have only made 6 such placements and all by agreement. Examples would be to move for safety reasons or to be closer family to provide additional support needs. These are all right and proper reasons. The ability to house residents out of District is set in legislation - Part 7 of the 1996 housing act. As all authorities we can discharge a responsibility out of area if it is suitable and reasonable to do so. If within 24 months, the client decides they want to return to CDC they maintain a local connection and we would welcome them back to us.

Cherwell District Council always follow due process and critically put the needs of the client at the centre of our support and advice.

The phrasing of the previous report was not helpful and if it caused confusion or concern, we unreservedly apologise.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1     To note the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report July 2022

1.2      To approve the proposed changes in use of reserves at Appendix 5

1.3     To approve the reduction in the Castle Quay capital scheme of £3.370m.

1.4      To approve the budget virement between Exec Matters and the Property

Budget of £0.927m

Resolved

(1)          That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report July 2022 be noted.

(2)          That the following proposed changes in the use of reserves and detailed in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved:

(3)          That the reduction in the Castle Quay capital scheme of £3.370m be approved.

(4)          That the budget virement between Executive Matters and the Property Budget of £0.927m be approved.

The Assistant Director of Finance and Interim Assistant Director – Customer Focus submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Performance, Risk and Finance monitoring positions as at the end of July 2022.

In introducing the report the Portfolio Holder for Performance highlighted the clarification that had been included on the published report and agenda front sheet for the meeting regarding the Performance, Risk and Finance Executive Report presented on Monday 6 July – section 5.4. Cherwell District Council always fully considers the needs of all clients when offering placements. The council does not ‘impose’ offers out of area, but in some cases, it may be in the best interests of the client.  

It was further explained that the council takes this responsibility very seriously and to date this year had only made 6 such placements and all by agreement. Examples would be to move for safety reasons or to be closer family to provide additional support needs and that these are all right and proper reasons. The ability to house residents out of District is set in legislation - Part 7 of the 1996 Housing Act, affording the power to all housing authorities to discharge a responsibility out of area if it is suitable and reasonable to do so. If within 24 months, the client decides they want to return to CDC they maintain a local connection, the council would welcome them back to the Cherwell District.

Reassurance was given that Cherwell District Council always follows due process and critically puts the needs of the client at the centre of the support and advice given.

The phrasing of the previous report was not helpful and if it caused confusion or concern, for which the council unreservedly apologised.

The Portfolio Holder for Performance subsequently introduced the performance aspects of the report and the Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the finance aspects of the report.

Councillor Woodcock addressed Executive and referred to the clarification given by the Portfolio Holder for Performance and sought clarity regarding who the apology was from.

In response to Councillor Woodcock’s address the Chairman explained that the apology was a corporate apology through him as Leader on behalf of the council and the Executive.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing confirmed that a full explanation had been given to Councillor Woodcock after he had first raised the matter.

Resolved

(1)          That the monthly Performance, Risk and Finance Monitoring Report July 2022 be noted.

(2)          That the following proposed changes in the use of reserves and detailed in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved:

(3)          That the reduction in the Castle Quay capital scheme of £3.370m be approved.

(4)          That the budget virement between Executive Matters and the Property Budget of £0.927m be approved.

Reasons

This report provides an update on progress made during July 2022, to deliver the Council’s priorities through reporting on Performance, Leadership Risk Register and providing an update on the Financial Position. The Council is committed to performance, risk and budget management and reviews progress against its corporate priorities on a monthly basis.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report illustrates the Council’s performance against the 2022-23 Business Plan. Regarding the monitoring aspects of the report, no further options have been considered. However, members may wish to request that officers provide additional information. Regarding the recommendation to approve changes in use of reserves, members could choose not to reject the change of use, however, the request is in accordance with the councils Reserves Policy and within existing budgets.  If members chose not to agree to the changes in transfers to reserves, then this would mean resource would need to be found for these projects separately in future years.