None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

There are no Scrutiny Committee reports for this meeting.  

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report to propose a Medium Term Financial Strategy and the 2018/19 Budget for consultation.

Recommendations: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1)            Approve the 2018-19 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets for consultation and the General Fund and  Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Plan as set out in  Appendices 1-9, noting :

a)    a) the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £23.281 million for   2018/19 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 1.99% or £5.77 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £295.96 per annum

b)    the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2018/19 of £43.241 million and a reduction of 1% (£0.85/wk) in social dwelling rents from April 2018 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £104.58 as set out in Appendix 4

c)    the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 6.

2)            Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7

The Head of Financial Services had submitted a report to propose a Medium Term Financial Strategy and the 2018/19 Budget for consultation.

Item 8

In introducing the report, Councillor Price  drew attention to some of its key features  including, among others: an increase (of £200,000) in funding for homelessness prevention; an additional £5,000,000 to purchase properties for local homeless families; an additional £100,000 for  energy efficiency works in Council properties (on top of an existing programme of over £24,000,000); anticipated surpluses from the newly formed trading companies; investment in the Museum of Oxford (and consequential levering in of £1.3 m from the Heritage Lottery Fund); and a continuation of the grant programme of £1.4m.

The Head of Financial Services updated Members with key points from the provisional local government finance settlement for 2018 to 2019 announced by the DCLG the previous day. At its heart was the opportunity for councils to raise Council Tax by a  total of 3% (an additional 1%) without recourse to a referendum. Thought will now be given as to how best to respond to this opportunity.

The Council had bid (alongside Oxfordshire’s other authorities) to be included in the 100% business rate pilot but had, unfortunately, been unsuccessful;  officers could seek feedback as to why.  There may be an opportunity to bid again for 2019/20.

The long awaited Fair Funding review was now likely to be effective for 2021 but meaningful details were still awaited.

It would now be possible to increase planning fees by up to 20% (with the proviso that the fee is recycled into planning work).

The public consultation on the Council budget would be launched the following day.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1)            Approve the 2018-19 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets for consultation and the General Fund and  Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Plan as set out in  Appendices 1-9, noting :

a)     the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £23.281 million for   2018/19 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 1.99% or £5.77 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £295.96 per annum

b)    the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2018/19 of £43.241 million and a reduction of 1% (£0.85/wk) in social dwelling rents from April 2018 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £104.58 as set out in Appendix 4

c)    the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 6.

2)                  Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7

The Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services has submitted a report to consider the feedback from the recent consultation on the proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and to agree the principles of the new scheme to be drawn up for approval by Council on 29th January 2018.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Note the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

2.    Instruct the Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services  to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19, including provision for uprating the proposed income band scheme, and submit the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme to Council for approval at its meeting on the 29th January 2018;

3.    Recommend Council to resolve to adopt the new Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services had submitted a report to consider the feedback from the recent consultation on the proposed changes to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and to agree the principles of the new scheme to be drawn up for approval by Council on 29th January 2018.

Councillor Susan Brown, Board Member for Customer & Corporate Services, introduced the report. While there had been relatively few responses to the consultation they had been well informed and of high quality.  The report’s recommendations were supported by the majority of respondents; would allow officers to respond to some of the consequences of the introduction of Universal Credit for hard pressed families; and represent a significant contribution to financial inclusion. It was noteworthy that the City was one of only a few to provide such support.

In discussion it was observed that the opportunity to raise Council tax referred to in the previous item could have cumulative consequences for families if, for example, the City Council,  County Council and Thames Valley Police all chose to take advantage of it. This was something which Members and officers would have to have regard to.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Note the outcome of the consultation on the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme;

2.    Instruct the Executive Director Organisational Development & Corporate Services  to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018/19, including provision for uprating the proposed income band scheme, and submit the new Local Council Tax Support Scheme to Council for approval at its meeting on the 29th January 2018; and

3.    Recommend Council to resolve to adopt the new Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to set out the changes and new duties in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and to note  their possible impact.  The report also sets out areas for service change in response to this and seeks approval for the new Homelessness Prevention Trailblazer programme.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.         Note the changes and new duties imposed on the Council by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the potential impacts on service delivery and resourcing;

2.         Endorse the proposed service changes highlighted in this report, and welcome the further strengthening of homelessness prevention measures;

3.         Note the additional ‘new burdens’ funding and that the 18/19 budget reports will include recommendations with respect to homelessness prevention funding from 18/19 onwards; and

4.         Note the proposed arrangements for Oxfordshire Trailblazer Programme, led by Oxford City Council.

The Head of Housing Services had submitted a report to set out the changes and new duties in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and to note  their possible impact.  The report also set out areas for service change in response to this and sought  approval for the new Homelessness Prevention Trailblazer programme.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing, introduced the report observing that the changes would not make a significant difference to the Council’s core activity in this area. The supporting administrative and other processes would, however, have to be re-engineered to some degree. A budget to secure these changes was in place for the current year, if more was needed beyond that there would be a further report to the Board.

In discussion the following points emerged. An increase in the number of those presenting as homeless was almost inevitable as would the number of appeals against decisions;  temporary accommodation arrangements  were likely to become longer;  there would be a (continuing) strong focus on prevention; the response (assessment and plan)  to those presenting as homeless would have to be mutually agreed; and there would be a particular focus on the needs of those who were at a higher than  average risk of becoming homeless (eg. care leavers; prison leavers; armed forces personnel; domestic abuse  victims; hospital leavers and those suffering with mental health issues) and officers were working with relevant organisations accordingly.

Cllr Hayes  drew Members’ attention to the parliamentary Homelessness Reduction Act inquiry which was critical of the new arrangements. He argued that to make a material difference to the challenges faced by homeless people there should be a focus on affordable homes; reversal of recent welfare changes; and proper support/funding for organisations supporting those with mental health/ substance abuse .

Councillor Rowley was pleased to note that the City had intervened successfully (and so prevented homelessness) in over 1,000 cases  in 2015/16. This was a better record than the City’s geographical neighbours and gave cause to be ‘firm’ with those neighbours in the ‘relief’ phase of the new arrangements.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.         Note the changes and new duties imposed on the Council by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the potential impacts on service delivery and resourcing;

2.         Endorse the proposed service changes highlighted in this report, and welcome the further strengthening of homelessness prevention measures;

3.         Note the additional ‘new burdens’ funding and that the 18/19 budget reports will include recommendations with respect to homelessness prevention funding from 18/19 onwards; and

4.         Note the proposed arrangements for Oxfordshire Trailblazer Programme, led by Oxford City Council.

The Head of Financial Services and Head of Business Improvement have submitted a report to update Members on Finance, Risk and Performance as at 30^th September 2017.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

Note the projected financial outturn and current position on risk and performance as at the 30^th September 2017.

The Head of Financial Services and Head of Business Improvement had submitted a report to update Members on Finance, Risk and Performance as at 30^th September 2017.

The Head of Financial Services spoke to the report which was essentially very positive, noting over achievement of the Direct Services budget; a slightly adverse variance on the Housing Revenue Account; and slight slippage in the capital programme. Neither of the last two gave cause for concern.

In relation to the missed target for the number of people using leisure centres, Councillor Smith said steps were being taken to promote the centres in a more targeted way than hitherto. Competition from ‘budget’ providers remained a significant challenge.

In relation to the target of the percentage of customers satisfied at the first point of contact, more work was needed  to assemble an accurate picture of satisfaction and reasons for dissatisfaction. Steps to improve the Council website were already being taken( eg removal of on-line forms that do not work well and the introduction of a ‘webchat’ facility).

The ambition of enabling customers to access the majority of Council services electronically was good but it was recognised that this was not practicable for all services.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

Note the projected financial outturn and current position on risk and performance as at the 30^th September 2017.

Councillor Bob Price, Leader

The Head of Housing Services, has submitted a report to approve the continuation of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Relocation Scheme (SVPRS) and Vulnerable Children’s Relocation Scheme (VCRS) in 2017 to 2018 including families supported under Community Sponsorship schemes.

Recommendations: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Approve the continuation of the SVPRS and VCRS scheme to accommodate a further 10 families by the end of 2018; and

2.    Approve the inclusion of families supported under the Community Sponsorship model in this offer.

The Head of Housing Services , had submitted a report to approve the continuation of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Relocation Scheme (SVPRS) and Vulnerable Children’s Relocation Scheme (VCRS) in 2017 to 2018 including families supported under Community Sponsorship schemes.

Councillor  Bob Price, Leader of the Council,  introduced the report which sought to continue and expand the two schemes, notably through the offer of accommodating a further 10 families and the inclusion of families supported via the Community Sponsorship model.

The Syrian VPRS Officer said the success of the schemes to date was in no small measure because of the good relationship that officers had with partners.  It was recognised that the consequences of benefit changes and lack of familiarity with English would be particularly challenging for this group of people.

The positive outcomes for the children and young people supported by the schemes were commended.

It was noted that the Council had entered into the schemes voluntarily and there should, perhaps, be a more open and celebratory approach to  discussions about and references to them  .

A further report about progress would be provided in due course.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Approve the continuation of the SVPRS and VCRS scheme to accommodate a further 10 families by the end of 2018; and

2.    Approve the inclusion of families supported under the Community Sponsorship model in this offer.

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report on the performance of the Treasury Management function for the 6 months to 30th September 2017.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

Note the performance of the Treasury Management function for the six months to 30th September 2017.

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report on the performance of the Treasury Management function for the 6 months to 30th September 2017.

The Head of Financial Services spoke to the report and noted that while base rates had changed since the period covered by the report it was not anticipated that it would make a significant difference to the position that would be described in relation to the  current quarter.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

Note the performance of the Treasury Management function for the six months to 30th September 2017.

Recommendation: The City Executive Board NOTES the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2017 as a true and accurate record.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

Note  the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2017 as a true and accurate record.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

·         23 January         

·         13 February       

·         20 March

·         17 April

All meetings start at 5pm.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:

·         23 January         

·         13 February       

·         20 March

·         17 April

All meetings start at 5pm.

If the Board wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the Board to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule I2A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Board may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.