Relevant Dispensations: Council on 21 March 2022 agreed a set of general dispensations for a 4 year period from 1 October 2022 for all councillors including:

·       Determining an allowance (including special responsibility allowances), travelling expense, payment or indemnity given to Members

·       Housing: where the Member (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the Council as long as the matter does not relate to the particular tenancy or lease of the Member (their spouse or partner);

·       Housing Benefit/Universal Credit: where the Councillor (or spouse or partner) receives housing benefit;

·       Any Ceremonial Honours given to Members;

·       Setting the Council Tax or a precept under the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 (or any subsequent legislation); and

·       Setting a Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme or Local scheme for the payment of business rates (including eligibility for rebates and reductions) for the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 (or any subsequent legislation).

Cllr Malik declared that the decisions at agenda item 6 related to Licensing fees and charges for 2023/24 affected his declared disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) and he would leave the meeting and take no part in the debate on this item.

Announcements by:

1.     The Lord Mayor

2.     The Sheriff

3.     The Leader of the Council (who may with the permission of the Lord Mayor invite other councillors to make announcements)

4.     The Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Monitoring Officer

None.

The procedure for this meeting, including timings for the debate on the Council’s budget, capital programme and medium term financial strategy as recommended by Cabinet, is set out in the Council’s Constitution at Part 11.4.

Any amendments to the procedure must be agreed by majority vote and will only apply to this meeting.

Recommendation: Council is recommended to note that the times permitted for each state in the budget debate (Item 9 on the agenda) are as detailed in the Council’s Consitution.

Council noted the procedure and times permitted for each stage in the budget debate.

Public addresses, and questions of under 200 words, to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 11.4, 11.12, 11.13, and 11.14 relating to matters for decision on this agenda.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address or question must be received by the Head of Law and Governance by 5.00 pm on Friday 10 February 2023.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses and questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 30 minutes is available for this item. Responses are included in this time. Up to five minutes is available for each public address and up to three minutes for each question.

There were no addresses or questions.

The General Purposes Licensing Committee and the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee considered at their meetings on 06 February 2023, reports on fees and charges for the licensing functions falling within their remits.

The draft minutes of the meetings will be available on the webpages for the meetings of the General Purposes Licensing Committee and the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee.

Cllrs Mundy and Clarkson, the Committee Chairs, will propose the recommendations.

The fees and charges are also included in the budget papers at Item 9, Appendix 7.

Recommendations: the General Purposes Licensing Committee and the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee recommend that Council resolves to agree the relevant licence fees and charges for 2023/24 as set out in Items 6a, 6b and 6c (and repeated in the relevant sections of Item 9, Appendix 7.

Cllr Malik having declared this item related to his disclosable pecuniary interest, left the meeting for the duration of this item and returned to the meeting at the start of the next item.

Council considered the Licensing & Gambling Acts and General Purposes Licensing Committees’ recommendations to approve fees and charges for the licensing functions falling within their remits as set out in agenda items 6a, 6b and 6c and repeated in the budget papers at item 9 Appendix 7.  It was noted that the papers for items 6a and 6c had been transposed within the agenda pack.

Cllr Mundy, Chair of the General Purposes Licensing Committee moved the recommendation, noting the additional recommendation 2 below, as agreed by the GPL Committee.  Cllr Clarkson, Chair of the Licensing & Gambling Acts Committee, seconded the recommendations from the two committees.

On being put to the vote these were agreed.

·       Agree the relevant licence fees and charges for 2023/24 as set out in Items 6a and 6b (and repeated in the relevant sections of Item 9, Appendix 7).

·       Agree the relevant licence fees and charges for 2023/24 set out in Item 6c as amended, to include a new discounted fee of £62 for Private Hire Vehicles that are Low Emission and Wheelchair Accessible.

Purpose of report:

Under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 there is a requirement for the Council’s Chief Financial Officer to report to Council on:

a)    the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget; and

b)    the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

Council in considering its Budget should have regard to this advice.

Recommendation: That Council notes this report in setting its budget for 2023/24 and the indicative budgets for 2024/25 – 2026/27.

Council considered a report from the Head of Financial Services, as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, on the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.  The Head of Financial Services advised that scrutiny of the budget had been undertaken by the Finance Team, Directors and the Chief Executive, Executive Members and the Scrutiny Committee’s Finance Panel, and the figures presented were an estimate of factors at a specific time and therefore liable to change.  He highlighted the uncertainty around key income streams, such as car parking and rents, and advised that the level of reserves were currently adequate to support the Council over the next four years.

Council noted the report in setting the Council budget for 2023/24 and the indicative budgets for 2024/25 – 2026/27.

Report of the Scrutiny Budget Review Group on the proposed budget.

Cabinet’s response to the Scrutiny recommendations on the budget will be included in the Briefing Note.

The Chair of the Budget Review Group will present the report and recommendations.

Recommendation: Council is asked to note the recommendations of the Budget Review Group and Cabinet’s response.

Council considered the report and recommendations of the Budget Review Group of the Scrutiny Committee to the Cabinet meeting on 08 February 2023 and the Cabinet’s response.

Cllr Fry, Chair of the Scrutiny Budget Review Group, advised that all but one of the recommendations had been agreed.  He thanked all the officers involved in the budget scrutiny process.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, thanked the panel for their work.

Council resolved to note the report and Cabinet’s responses to the recommendations. 

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report to Cabinet on 08 February 2023, to present the outcome of the budget consultation and agree the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2024-25 to 2026-27 and 2023-24 Budget.

The Cabinet decisions and any further proposed amendments to the budget will be reported in the Briefing Note.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, will present the report and propose the Cabinet’s recommendations.

Amendments to the budget proposed by opposition groups or individual councillors must be received by Democratic Services before 1.00 pm on Wednesday 15 February 2023 and will be published in the Briefing Note.

The procedure for this item is set out in Part 11.4 of the Council’s Constitution.

A recorded vote must be taken when voting to agree the final budget and medium term strategy.

Council is recommended to:

a.    consider Cabinet’s recommendations to Council, including the budget published as part of the agenda for this meeting along with any amendments resulting from the Cabinet meeting of 08 February 2023;

b.    consider the substantive amendments proposed by the opposition groups; and published with the briefing note;

c.    consider any individual amendments; and

d.    agree the recommendations from the Cabinet as presented to Council, or with further amendments as decided by Council.

Recommendations: Cabinet recommends subject to decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting on 08 February 2023, that Council resolves to:

1)    Approve the 2023-24 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets for consultation and the General Fund and  Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out in  Appendices 1-9, noting :

a)    the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £24.793 million for   2023/24 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £9.76 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £336.31 per annum

b)    the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2023/24 of £51.572 million and an increase of 7% (£7.51 per week) in social dwelling rents from 1 April 2023 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £114.73 as set out in Appendix 5

c)    shared ownership dwellings are increased in line with those of other social rents as discussed in paragraph 39

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

2)    Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7

3)    Delegate to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management the decision to determine whether it is financially advantageous for the Council to enter into a Business Rates Distribution Agreement as referred to in paragraphs 20-22 of the report.

4)    Approve the payment into the County Council Pension Fund of £5 million in 2023-24 as referred to in paragraph 28 of the report

5)    Implement the changes to Council Tax charges in respect of second homes and properties empty for more than one year as referred to in paragraphs 23-25 from 1^st April 2024 when the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is  ...  view the full agenda text for item 94.

Council had before it and considered:

·       The report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 08 February 2023 setting out the outcome of the budget consultation and seeking agreement of the Council’s Budget for 2023/24 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2024/25 to 2026/27.

·       The Liberal Democrat group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

·       The Green group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

·       An individual amendment proposed by Cllr Pegg published with the briefing note.

Cllr Turner, seconded by Cllr Munkonge, proposed agreement of the Budget and the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the recommendations from Cabinet.

If Cabinet agrees changes to the recommendations, or changes or corrections to the published report or appendices, these will be published in the Briefing Note.

There were no additional recommendations or corrections.

Liberal Democrat Group amendments to the revenue and capital budgets, including explanation, for debate. These will be published in the Briefing Note.

Cllr Pressel left the meeting and did not return.

Cllrs Djafari-Marbini and Dunne joined the meeting.

Cllr Smowton, seconded by Cllr Fouweather, moved the Liberal Democrat group amendments.  Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (24) than for (6), and 6 abstentions the Liberal Democrat amendments were not carried.

Green Group amendments to the revenue and capital budgets, including explanation, for debate. These will be published in the Briefing Note.

Cllr Jarvis, seconded by Cllr Kerr, moved the Green group amendments.

Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (24) than for (12), the Green group amendments were not carried.

The meeting broke for 30 minutes at the conclusion of this item.

Individual amendments to the revenue and capital budgets, including explanation, for debate. These will be published in the Briefing Note or individual items from (b) or (c) above may be tabled at the appropriate point in the debate.

Cllr Pegg, seconded by Cllr Rawle, moved the individual amendment.

After debate, this was put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (24) than for (6) and 6 abstentions, the individual amendment was not carried.

Following debate, the recommendations of the Cabinet as agreed at its meeting on 08 February 2023 including the details of the budget for 2023/24, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Housing Revenue Account, Capital Programme and other matters set out in the published agenda and briefing note for this meeting were put to the vote.

In accordance with legislative requirements, a recorded vote was then taken:

For the Cabinet recommendations to Council as set out in the minutes of that meeting:

Councillors Fry, Lygo, Rowley, Chapman, Clarkson, Coyne, Diggins, Djafari-Marbini, Dunne, Hall, Hollingsworth, Humberstone, Hunt, Malik, Mundy, Munkonge, Railton, Rehman, Linda Smith, Thomas, Turner, Upton, Waite, Walcott (24)

Against the Cabinet recommendations to Council:

None (0)

Absententions:

Councillors Altaf-Khan, Fouweather, Gant, Goddard, Jarvis, Kerr, Morris, Muddiman, Pegg, Rawle, Sandelson, Smowton (12)

With more Councillors voting for than against, the resolution to approve the Cabinet recommendations was carried.

Council resolved in accordance with the recorded vote to:

1.    Approve the 2023-24 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets and the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendices 1-9, noting:

a)    the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £24.793 million for 2023/24 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £9.76 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £336.31 per annum;

b)    the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2023/24 of £51.572 million and an increase of 7% (£7.51 per week) in social dwelling rents from 1 April 2023 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £114.73 as set out in Appendix 5;

c)    shared ownership dwellings are increased in line with those of other social rents as discussed in paragraph 39;

d)    the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 6;

2.    Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7;

3.    Delegate to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Deputy Leader (Statutory) - Finance and Asset Management, the decision to determine whether it is financially advantageous for the Council to enter into a Business Rates Distribution Agreement as referred to in paragraphs 20-22 of the report;

4.    Approve the payment into the County Council Pension Fund of £5 million in 2023-24 as referred to in paragraph 28 of the report;

5.    Implement the changes to Council Tax charges in respect of second homes and properties empty for more than one year as referred to in paragraphs 23-25 from 1st April 2024 when the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is enacted;

6.    Note the application of the Council Tax Support Fund allocation as referred to in paragraphs 11-14 below.

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report which sets out the necessary calculations to enable Council to set the 2023/24 Council Tax for Oxford City.

Recommendations: That Council resolves to approve for the financial year 2023/24 recommendations 1 to 5 and to note points 6 to 8 below:

1.    The City Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £15,682,423 including Parish precepts and £15,415,353 excluding Parish precepts.

2.    The average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £336.30, a 2.99% increase on the 2022/23 figure of £326.54. Including Parish Precepts the figure is £342.13, a 2.88% increase (see paragraphs 2 to 8).

3.    A contribution of £10,000 to Old Marston Parish Council in recognition of the additional expenditure that the Parish incurs as a consequence of maintaining the cemetery (see paragraphs 11 and 12).

4.    The amount of £666,093 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 16).

5.    The Band D Council Taxes for the various areas of the City (excluding the Police and County Council’s precepts) as follows:

          Littlemore                          £367.52       

          Old Marston                       £369.96       

          Risinghurst and Sandhills   £359.59       

          Blackbird Leys                   £341.16       

          Unparished Area                £339.20       

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £321.77.

The Council is also asked to note:

6.    Oxfordshire County Council’s precept and Band D Council Tax as set out in paragraph 19 below

7.    The Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley’s precept and Band D Council Tax as set out in paragraph 20 below, and

8.    The overall average Band D equivalent Council Tax of £2,332.44 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for the County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner).

Council considered the report of the Head of Financial Services setting out the necessary calculations to enable Council to set the 2023/24 Council Tax for Oxford City.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, proposed and Cllr Munkonge seconded the recommendations in the report.

In accordance with legislative requirements, a recorded vote was then taken:

For the resolution set out below:

Councillors Fry, Lygo, Rowley, Altaf-Khan, Chapman, Clarkson, Coyne, Diggins, Djafari-Marbini, Dunne, Fouweather, Gant, Goddard, Hall, Hollingsworth, Humberstone, Hunt, Jarvis, Kerr, Malik, Morris, Muddiman, Mundy, Munkonge, Pegg, Railton, Rawle, Rehman, Sandelson, Linda Smith, Smowton, Thomas, Turner, Upton, Waite, Walcott (36)

Against the resolution:

None (0)

Abstentions:

None (0)

With all Councillors present voting for, the resolution was carried.

Council resolved in accordance with the reported vote to approve for the financial year 2023/24 recommendations 1 to 5 and to note points 6 to 8:

1.    The City Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £15,682,423 including Parish precepts and £15,415,353 excluding Parish precepts.

2.    The average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £336.30, a 2.99% increase on the 2022/23 figure of £326.54. Including Parish Precepts the figure is £342.13, a 2.88% increase (see paragraphs 2 to 8).

3.    A contribution of £10,000 to Old Marston Parish Council in recognition of the additional expenditure that the Parish incurs as a consequence of maintaining the cemetery (see paragraphs 11 and 12).

4.    The amount of £666,093 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 16).

5.    The Band D Council Taxes for the various areas of the City (excluding the Police and County Council’s precepts) as follows:

Littlemore £367.52

Old Marston £369.96

Risinghurst and Sandhills £359.59

Blackbird Leys £341.16

Unparished Area £339.20

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £321.77.

The Council is also asked to note:

6.    Oxfordshire County Council’s precept and Band D Council Tax as set out in paragraph 19 below

7.    The Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley’s precept and Band D Council Tax as set out in paragraph 20 below, and

8.    The overall average Band D equivalent Council Tax of £2,332.44 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for the County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner).

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report to Cabinet on 8 February 2023 which presents the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2023/24 to 2026/27.

The Cabinet decisions will be reported in the Briefing Note.

Councillor Ed Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management will present the report and propose Cabinet’s recommendations.

Recommendations: Cabinet recommends that subject to decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting on 8 February 2023 that Council resolves to approve:

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 as set out in paragraphs 29 to 78 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2023/24 – 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    The Borrowing Strategy 2023/23 at paragraphs 52 to 54 of this report;

3.    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at paragraphs 55 to 57 which sets out the Council’s policy on charging borrowing to the revenue account;

4.    The Investment Strategy for 2023/24 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 58 to 77 of this report and in Appendix 1; and

5.    The Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 4.

Council considered the report of the Head of Financial Services, submitted to Cabinet on 08 February 2023, presenting the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2023/24 to 2026/27.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, presented the report and moved the recommendations, highlighting the minor typo in recommendation 2 of the report which should read 2023/24, rather than 2023/23.  The amended recommendations were agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to approve:

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 as set out in paragraphs 29 to 78 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2023/24 – 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    The Borrowing Strategy 2023/24 at paragraphs 52 to 54 of this report;

3.    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at paragraphs 55 to 57 which sets out the Council’s policy on charging borrowing to the revenue account;

4.    The Investment Strategy for 2023/24 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 58 to 77 of this report and in Appendix 1; and

5.    The Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 4.

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report to Cabinet on 8 February 2023 which presents the Capital Strategy for approval.

The Cabinet decisions will be reported in the Briefing Note.

Councillor Ed Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management will present the report and propose Cabinet’s recommendations.

Recommendation: Cabinet recommends subject to decisions taken the Cabinet meeting on 8 February 2023 that Council resolves to approve the Capital Strategy attached at Appendix A.

Council considered the report of the Head of Financial Services, submitted to Cabinet on 08 February 2023, presenting the Capital Strategy for 2023/24 – 2026/27 for approval.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, presented the report and moved the recommendations, which were agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to approve the Capital Strategy for 2023/24 to 2026/27.

The Head of Law and Governance has submitted a report presenting the recommendations of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and a Draft Councillors’ Allowances Scheme 2023-27.

The report, proposed scheme and IRP report are attached.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council will present the report and propose the recommendations.

Recommendations: That Council resolves to:

1.    Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work.

2.    Agree to include in the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme 2023-27 the following provisions from the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme 2019-23, as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel:

a)    The following Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs):

                        i.         Leader - 3 x basic allowance

                       ii.         Deputy Leader – 1 x basic allowance

                      iii.         Non-statutory Deputy Leader - 1 x basic allowance

                     iv.         Lord Mayor –1 x Basic Allowance

                       v.         Deputy Lord Mayor – 0.25 x basic allowance

                     vi.         Sheriff - 0.25 x Basic Allowance

                    vii.         Cabinet Members with particular responsibilities – 1.5 x basic allowance

                   viii.         Chair of Scrutiny Committee – 1x basic allowance

                     ix.         Chair of Audit & Governance Committee – 0.25 x basic allowance

                       x.         Chair of a Planning Committee – 0.5 x basic allowance

                     xi.         Leader of an opposition group – 1 x basic allowance with the additional clarification set out in paragraph 11

                    xii.         Chair of Scrutiny Standing Panel – 0.25 x basic allowance (Maximum of 2 Standing Panel SRAs available. Panel must meet at least 5 times to qualify. If more Standing Panels are set up then 0.5 x basic allowance to be divided between the Panel Chairs)

b)    The rule that councillors will receive a maximum of two special responsibility allowances (excluding civic office holders);

c)    The rule that where a member of the Council is also a member of another council, that councillor may not receive allowances from more than one council in respect of the same duties;

d)    The rule that a 15% reduction to a special responsibility allowance will be applied for councillors who attend less than two thirds of the scheduled meetings required within a special responsibility

e)    The ability for councillors to elect to forgo any part of their entitlement to an allowance;

f)      The rule that where allowances have been paid in advance for a period during which a councillor is no longer a councillor, those allowances should be repaid;

g)    Allowances for maternity or adoption leave, with the extension to entitlement set out at paragraph 14;

h)    Allowances for travel to be paid for travel outside the City of Oxford boundary with the prior agreement of the Head of Law and Governance, with the additional reference to promoting green and public transport set out at paragraph 16;

i)      Reasonable adjustments for councillors with a temporary or permanent disability;

j)      The rule that all claims for repayment must be made on the forms provided and should be accompanied by receipts/invoices as appropriate before payment can be authorised;

3.    Agree to increase the basic allowance to £5,471 for 2023/24, in line with the IRP proposal to increase the basic  ...  view the full agenda text for item 98.

Council considered the report from the Head of Law and Governance which presented the recommendations of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and a Draft Councillors’ Allowances Scheme for 2023-2027.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, presented the report and moved the recommendations in the Leader’s absence.  The recommendations were agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to:

1.    Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work.

2.    Agree to include in the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme 2023-27 the following provisions from the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme 2019- 23, as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel:

a) The following Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs):

i. Leader - 3 x basic allowance

ii. Deputy Leader – 1 x basic allowance

iii. Non-statutory Deputy Leader - 1 x basic allowance

iv. Lord Mayor –1 x Basic Allowance

v. Deputy Lord Mayor – 0.25 x basic allowance

vi. Sheriff - 0.25 x Basic Allowance

vii. Cabinet Members with particular responsibilities – 1.5 x basic allowance

viii. Chair of Scrutiny Committee – 1x basic allowance

ix. Chair of Audit & Governance Committee – 0.25 x basic allowance

x. Chair of a Planning Committee – 0.5 x basic allowance

xi. Leader of an opposition group – 1 x basic allowance with the additional clarification set out in paragraph 11

xii. Chair of Scrutiny Standing Panel – 0.25 x basic allowance (Maximum of 2 Standing Panel SRAs available. Panel must meet at least 5 times to qualify. If more Standing Panels are set up then 0.5 x basic allowance to be divided between the Panel Chairs)

b) The rule that councillors will receive a maximum of two special responsibility allowances (excluding civic office holders);

c) The rule that where a member of the Council is also a member of another council, that councillor may not receive allowances from more than one council in respect of the same duties;

d) The rule that a 15% reduction to a special responsibility allowance will be applied for councillors who attend less than two thirds of the scheduled meetings required within a special responsibility

e) The ability for councillors to elect to forgo any part of their entitlement to an allowance;

f) The rule that where allowances have been paid in advance for a period during which a councillor is no longer a councillor, those allowances should be repaid;

g) Allowances for maternity or adoption leave, with the extension to entitlement set out at paragraph 14;

h) Allowances for travel to be paid for travel outside the City of Oxford boundary with the prior agreement of the Head of Law and Governance, with the additional reference to promoting green and public transport set out at paragraph 16;

i) Reasonable adjustments for councillors with a temporary or permanent disability;

j) The rule that all claims for repayment must be made on the forms provided and should be accompanied by receipts/invoices as appropriate before payment can be authorised;

3.    Agree to increase the basic allowance to £5,471  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.