To consider approval of expenditure of c£400,000 from reserves to fund a one-off ex-gratia payment of £500 to Oxford City Council staff to reflect the cost of living crisis.

To approve expenditure of c£400,000 to fund a one-off ex-gratia payment of £500 to Oxford City Council staff to reflect the cost of living crisis.   The sum is not within the Council’s existing approved budget, and will be met from reserves.

The Council’s staff resource is an asset of the Council. The one-off payment will allow the Council to provide support for its staff in the difficult financial climate.

As the support is needed urgently, and to allow payment to be made in a timely way, the decision has been made by the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) using authority contained at Part 9.3(b) of the Constitution.  The decision has been made in consultation with senior Council staff; the Leader of the Council; and other Group Leaders, and will be reported to Council in due course.

Not to make a one-off ex-gratia payment.  This option was rejected as it would not allow support to be provided to staff.

Decision taken by Caroline Green, Chief Executive in consultation with Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council; Councillor Dr Christopher Smowton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group; Councillor Chris Jarvis, Leader of the Green Group; Tom Hook, Executive Director (Corporate Resources); Susan Sale, Head of Law and Governance; and Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services.