Cllr Malik declared that the decisions at agenda item 6 related to Licensing fees and charges for 2024/25 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

The Lord Mayor advised that she had met with the Duke of Edinburgh as he visited Oxford.

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 Constitution.

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 Thursday 15 February 2024.

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.

Cllr Douglas arrived at the meeting.

The General Purposes Licensing Committee and the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee considered at their meetings on 25 September 2023 and 5 February 2024, 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 2024/25 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, 6c and 6d and repeated in the budget papers at item 9 Appendix 7.

Cllr Mundy, Chair of the General Purposes Licensing Committee moved the recommendation, and seconded by Cllr Clarkson, Chair of the Licensing & Gambling Acts Committee, from the two committees.

On being put to the vote Council resolved to agree the relevant licence fees and charges for 2024/25 as set out in Items 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d (and repeated in the relevant sections of Item 9, Appendix 7).

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 2024/25 and the indicative budgets for 2025/26 – 2027/28.

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 that the estimated income was also subject to the Oxford Model delivering key income streams and as such were outside the control of the Council, however noted that he was confident that the figures provided demonstrated the best estimate and were robust.

Council noted the report in setting the Council budget for 2024/25 and the indicative budgets for 2025/26 – 2027/28.

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

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 07 February 2024 and the Cabinet’s response.

Cllr Fry, Chair of the Scrutiny Budget Review Group, advised that following detailed discussions at each of its meetings throughout January 2024, the Review Group made a total of 9 recommendations, of which all but one had been agreed.  He thanked all the officers involved throughout the process, with particular thanks to Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services and to Alice Courtney, as Scrutiny Officer in drafting this report.

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

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report to Cabinet on 7 February 2024, to present the outcome of the budget consultation and agree the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2025-26 to 2027-28 and 2024-25 Budget for recommendation to Council.

The Cabinet decision is reported in the Cabinet minutes found here, and any further proposed amendments to the budget will be reported in the Briefing Note.

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

Amendments to the budget proposed by opposition groups or individual councillors must be received by Democratic Services before 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday 14 February 2024 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:

1.    Note the approval by Cabinet on 24 January and subsequently agreed by the Council on 29 January of an increase of 7.7% (£9.27 per week) in social dwelling rents from 1 April 2024 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £129.72 as set out in Appendix 5 based on a HRA budget as set out in Appendix 4, together with the comments in paragraphs 35-40;

2.    Approve the 2024-25 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 £27.752 million for   2024/25 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £10.06 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £346.36 per annum; and

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

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

4.    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 16-18 of the report; and

5.    Note the changes to council tax charges in respect of second homes and properties empty for more than one year as referred to in paragraphs 19-22 from 1st April 2025 and 1st April 2024 respectively.

Council had before it and considered:

·       The report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 07 February 2024 setting out the outcome of the budget consultation and seeking agreement of the Council’s Budget for 2024/25 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26 to 2027/28.

·       The Labour Group’s submitted subsequent amendment published with the briefing note.

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

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

·       The Independent Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

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

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

·       The Green Group’s alternative budget post Labour Group amendment tabled at the meeting.

·       An individual amendment proposed by Cllr Mundy tabled at the meeting.

·       A subsequent individual amendment proposed by Cllr Mundy tabled at the meeting.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, seconded by Cllr Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Parterships, proposed agreement of the Budget and the Medium Term Strategy and the recommendations from Cabinet.  He also moved his amendment to the Budget, published at Item 9a of the agenda, which was seconded by Cllr Brown.

Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, seconded by Cllr Brown, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Partnerships, proposed the additional amendment from Cabinet.

The Liberal Democrat Group withdrew their amended Budget, following submission of the amended Labour Group Budget.

Council adjourned for 15 minutes.

Cllr Landell Mills arrived at the meeting.

Cllr Jarvis, seconded by Cllr Muddiman, moved the Green Group amendments.

Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (21), than for (13), and 8 abstentions, the Green Group amendments were not carried.

Cllr Rehman, seconded by Cllr Aziz, moved the Independent Group amendments.

Council adjourned for 15 minutes.

Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (8) than for (2) and with 30 abstentions, the Independent Group amendments were not carried.

Following agreement from Council, the meeting broke for 15 minutes at the conclusion of this item.

Cllr Smowton withdrew the individual amendment that had been published with the briefing note.

Cllr Miles, seconded by Cllr Roz Smith moved their individual amendment.

After debate, this was put to the vote.

Cllr Gant declared that as a Cabinet Member for the controlling Authority, he would withdraw from voting on this amendment.

With more Councillors voting against (19), than for (17) and 1 abstention, the individual amendment was not carried.

Cllr Mundy removed the individual amendment that had been tabled earlier in the meeting.

Cllr Mundy, seconded by Cllr Nala-Hartley, moved the individual amendment that had been tabled during the break.

After debate, this was put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (21) than for (18) the individual motion was not carried.

Cllr Kerr left the meeting and did not return.

Following debate, the recommendations of the Cabinet as agreed at its meeting on 07 February 2024 including the details of the budget for 2024/25, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Housing Revenue Account, Capital Programme and other matters set out in the published agenda and briefing note for this meeting and the agreed amendment at Item 99a, 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, and with the agreed amendment at Item 99a:

Councillors Arshad, Fry, Lygo, Brown, Chapman, Clarkson, Corais, Diggins, Douglas, Hollingsworth, Humberstone, Hunt, Munkonge, Pressel, Railton, Rowley, Linda Smith, Turner, Upton, Waite (20)

Against the Cabinet recommendations to Council:

None (0)

Abstentions:

Councillors Altaf-Khan, Aziz, Coyne, Djafari-Marbini, Dunne, Fouweather, Gant, Jarvis, Landell-Mills, Malik, Miles, Muddiman, Mundy, Nala-Hartley, Pegg, Rawle, Rehman, Roz Smith, Smowton (19)

With more Councillors voting for than against, the resolution to approve the Cabinet recommendations, with the subsequent amendment as set out at Item 99a, the recommendations were carried.

Council resolved in accordance with the recorded vote to:

1.    Note the approval by Cabinet on 24 January and subsequently agreed by the Council on 29 January of an increase of 7.7% (£9.27 per week) in social dwelling rents from 1 April 2024 giving a revised weekly average social rent of £129.72 as set out in Appendix 5 based on a HRA budget as set out in Appendix 4, together with the comments in paragraphs 35-40;

2.    Approve the 2024-25 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 £27.752 million for   2024/25 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £10.06 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £346.36 per annum; and

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

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

4.    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 16-18 of the report; and

5.    Note the changes to council tax charges in respect of second homes and properties empty for more than one year as referred to in paragraphs 19-22 from 1st April 2025 and 1st April 2024 respectively.

Cllr Nala-Hartley left the meeting and did not return.

The Head of Financial Services has submitted a report which sets out the necessary calculations to enable Council to set the 2024/25 Council Tax for Oxford City.

Recommendations:  That Council resolves to approve for the financial year 2024/25 recommendations 1 to 5 and to note points 6 to 8 below:

1.    The City Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £16,277,802 including Parish precepts and £16,014,035 excluding Parish Precepts.

2.    The average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £346.36, a 2.99% increase on the 2023/24 figure of £336.30. Including Parish Precepts, the figure is £352.07, a 2.91% increase (see paragraphs 2 to 8 of the report).

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 of the report).

4.    The amount of £692,280 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 16 of the report).

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

Littlemore£372.56       

Old Marston                            £380.03       

Risinghurst and Sandhills        £371.41       

Blackbird Leys                         £350.78       

Unparished Area                    £349.34       

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £331.39.

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 £2,441.91 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for the Oxfordshire County Council).

Council considered the report of the Head of Financial Services setting out the necessary calculations to enable Council to set the 2024/25 Council Tax for Oxford City.

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

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

For the resolution set out below:

Councillors: Arshad, Fry, Lygo, Ataf-Khan, Brown, Chapman, Clarkson, Corais, Diggins, Douglas, Fouweather, Gant, Hollingsworth, Humberstone, Hunt, Jarvis, Landell Mills, Miles, Muddiman, Mundy, Munkonge, Pegg, Pressel, Railton, Rawle, Rowley, Linda Smith, Roz Smith, Smowton, Turner, Upton, Waite (32)

Against the resolution:

None (0)

Abstentions:

Councillors: Aziz, Coyne, Djafari-Marbini, Dunne, Malik, Rehman (6)

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

Council resolved in accordance with the reported vote to approve for the financial year 2024/25 recommendations 1 to 5 and to note points 6 to 8:

1.    The City Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £16,277,802 including Parish precepts and £16,014,035 excluding Parish Precepts.

2.    The average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £346.36, a 2.99% increase on the 2023/24 figure of £336.30. Including Parish Precepts, the figure is £352.07, a 2.91% increase (see paragraphs 2 to 8 of the report).

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 of the report).

4.    The amount of £692,280 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 16 of the report).

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

Littlemore                               £372.56      

Old Marston                            £380.03      

Risinghurst and Sandhills        £371.41      

Blackbird Leys                        £350.78      

Unparished Area                     £349.34      

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £331.39.

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 £2,441.91 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for the Oxfordshire County Council).

Cllr Malik left the meeting and did not return.

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report to Cabinet on 7 February 2024 which presents the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2024/25 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 to 2027/28.

The Cabinet decisions are reported in the Cabinet minutes found here.

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

Recommendations: Cabinet recommends that Council resolves to approve:

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 as set out in paragraphs 12 to 60 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 – 2027/28 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    The Borrowing Strategy 2024/25 at paragraphs 34 to 36 of this report;

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

4.    The Investment Strategy for 2024/25 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 38 to 56 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 07 February 2024, presenting the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2024/25 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 to 2027/28.

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

Council resolved to approve:

1.    The Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 as set out in paragraphs 12 to 60 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 – 2027/28 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    The Borrowing Strategy 2024/25 at paragraphs 34 to 36 of this report;

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

4.    The Investment Strategy for 2024/25 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 38 to 56 of this report and in Appendix 1; and

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

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report to Cabinet on 7 February 2024 which presented the Capital Strategy for approval.

The Cabinet decision is reported in the Cabinet minutes found here.

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

Recommendation: Cabinet recommends that Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Capital Strategy attached at Appendix A.

Council considered the report of the Head of Financial Services, submitted to Cabinet on 07 February 2024, presenting the Capital Strategy for 2024/25 – 2027/28 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 2024/25 to 2027/28.