The Panel is asked to agree the notes of the meetings held on 27 August 2024 and 4 September 2024 as true and accurate records.

The Panel is asked to consider the Work Plan and agree any amendments.

At its meeting on 2 September 2024 (SJVG) and 11 September 2024, Cabinet considered the following reports from the Finance and Performance Panel and made responses to the recommendations:

·       ODS Group Performance Report

·       ODS Executive Pay and Executive Pay Policy

·       Treasury Management Annual Report 2023-24

·       Integrated Performance Report Q1 2024-25

The Panel is asked to note Cabinet’s responses to its recommendations.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 11 December 2024, will consider a report from the Head of Financial Services on the Integrated Performance Report for Q2 2023/24. Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services has been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 11 December 2024, will consider a report from the Head of Financial Services on the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review. Bill Lewis, Financial Accounting Manager has been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 11 December 2024, will consider a report on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and 2025/26 Budget for consultation.

The Scrutiny Committee has established a Budget Review Group to Scrutinise the 2025/26 Budget. The Panel is asked to note the Budget and agree a list of written questions to Heads of Service which will form part of the discussion for the Budget Review Group meetings.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services has been invited to attend for this item.

The Budget 2025/26 report will be published as a supplement following the publication of the agenda.

A report from the Head of Financial Services has been submitted providing details on the administration of Business Rates with the City. Laura Bessell, Benefits Service Delivery Manager has been invited to present the report and answer any questions.

The Panel is asked to note the report and agree any recommendations.

At its meeting in September 2024, the Panel requested a briefing note analysing the housing benefit subsidy issues and potential options. Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services, Laura Bessell, Benefits Service Delivery Manager, and Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager have been invited to present the report and answer questions.

The Panel is asked to note the report and agree any recommendations.

If the Panel wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any aspects of the preceding or following agenda items it will be necessary for the Panel to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 specifying the grounds on which their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act 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.

(The Access to Information Procedure Rules – Section 15 of the Council’s Constitution – sets out the conditions under which the public can be excluded from meetings of the Council).

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group, at its meeting on 5 December 2024, will consider a report from Oxford Direct Services (ODS) setting out a refreshed Draft ODSTL Business Plan for the period of 2025/26 and 2028/29.

Simon Howick, Managing Director (ODS) has been invited to present the report and answer questions.

Cllr Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies have been invited to answer questions from the perspective of the Council as Shareholder.

The Panel is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

The Panel is asked to note the dates and times of future meetings of the Finance and Performance Panel:

·       15 January 2025, 6pm

·       07 April 2025, 6pm

Meetings will take place remotely via Zoom.