Council considered the report of the Head of Law and Governance setting out the decisions taken by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) using the urgency and emergency powers delegated in Parts 9.3(b) and (c) of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Brown, presented the report and she and other Cabinet members answered questions:

·       Expenditure on ICT covered the costs of introducing remote working for the majority of staff to allow the council to continue to deliver services (hardware, software, licences, remote meetings, and peripheral devices). This was separate from the previously planned replacement programme. There were no immediate plans to return to office based working or to recoup any investment.

·       Topping up furlough payments to all furloughed staff accorded with good employment practices and the council’s commitment to paying the Oxford Living Wage.  

·       Decisions were taken with Cabinet’s input and knowledge and after informing opposition group leaders.

The recommendation, moved and seconded, was put to the vote.

Council resolved to note the decisions taken as set out in the report.