This report sets out the financial and non-financial performance of the Council as at the end of December 2013 (the Third Quarter of the financial year 2013/14).  It also sets out the position in respect of the risks on the Council’s Corporate Risk Register.  The Board is being asked to:-

(1)  Note the financial position and performance of the Council for the third quarter of 2013/2014, and also the position of risks outstanding as at 31st December 2013;

(2)  Recommend the Board to approve in principle the earmarking of any year-end General Fund savings specifically to fund the Council’s Capital Programme.

The Head of Finance and the Head of Business Improvement and Technology submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning Finance, Performance and Risk – Quarter 3 progress.

Councillor Ed Turner, Board Member for Finance, Efficiency and Strategic Asset Management, presented the report to the Board and provided some background and context.

Councillor Craig Simmons, on behalf of the Scrutiny Finance Panel, addressed the Board concerning the Panel’s recommendation to explore the use of Framework Agreements to provide project management and delivery of Capital Programme schemes.

Councillor Jean Fooks addressed the Board concerning the provision of Dial-A-Ride services in Oxford and her views on the Budget underspend. In response, Councillor Turner indicated that discussions with Oxfordshire County Council about Dial-A-Ride services were ongoing, and that it was anticipated that the underspend would be used within the coming year. Councillor Price, added that Council services had in fact increased despite that fact that an underspend had been achieved.

Resolved to:-

(1)  Note the financial position and performance of the Council for the third quarter of 2013/14, and also the position of risks outstanding as at 31^st December 2013;

(2)  Approve in principle the earmarking of any year-end General Fund savings specifically to fund the Council’s Capital programme;

(3)  Note the response from the Director and Board Member to the Scrutiny recommendation concerning Framework Agreements.