The Head of Corporate Strategy has submitted a report to seek approval for Oxford City Council’s annual Business Plan Priorities 2024-2025 and to provide an update on delivery of the 2023-2024 Business Plan.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.      Agree the draft Oxford City Council Annual Business Plan Priorities 2024-2025, which set out the Council’s priority work for the next financial year beginning 1 April 2024;

2.      Delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Strategy in consultation with the Council Leader to make any further minor amendments to the draft Business Plan priorities before implementation, provided that such amendments do not materially affect substance of the Business Plan; and

3.      Note the progress made in delivery against the actions set out in the Annual Business Plan 2023-2024.

The Head of Corporate Strategy had submitted a report seeking approval for Oxford City Council’s annual Business Plan Priorities 2024-2025 and providing an update on delivery of the 2023-2024 Business Plan.

One recommendation had been made by scrutiny: this had related to including wording in the specific year one actions for the ‘Good, Affordable Homes’ priority relating to the delivery of new housing for social rent.  The recommendation had been accepted.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader, highlighted that a new Corporate Strategy would be brought to Cabinet for approval, expected to be in June.  The priorities were aligned with that strategy, as well as the previous business plans and strategies.  The priorities had been widely consulted on both within and outside of the Council, which had produced helpful feedback.  Account had also been taken of a recommendation of the LGA Peer Review relating to ensuring the priorities were more specific, deliverable and measurable.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.      Agree the draft Oxford City Council Annual Business Plan Priorities 2024-2025, which set out the Council’s priority work for the next financial year beginning 1 April 2024;

2.      Delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Strategy in consultation with the Council Leader to make any further minor amendments to the draft Business Plan priorities before implementation, provided that such amendments do not materially affect substance of the Business Plan; and

3.      Note the progress made in delivery against the actions set out in the Annual Business Plan 2023-2024.