None.

None.

Councillor Fry reminded Panel members the budget papers were published as part of a supplementary agenda for the meeting.

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

The Panel noted the workplan.

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.

The Panel noted the report.

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 agreed the notes from the previous meeting.

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.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services, Bill Lewis, Financial Accounting Manager and Richard Woods, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager were in attendance to answer questions.

The Head of Financial Services introduced the report, noting the forecast update on the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Councillor Jarvis asked about car parking income regarding the General Fund and if the Council was charging appropriately. The Head of Financial Services commented on the increase in income from Council’s Park and Ride and further figures were expected by February.

Councillor Jarvis then commented in relation to temporary accommodation, the two figures presented on variance of 1.8m as opposed to 3m as initially predicted.

Councillor Smowton asked about staffing for the temporary accommodation and if there were challenges to recruiting Officers to posts. The Head of Financial Services responded there had been a reduction is performance within the service area and an increase in agency staff to cover busy periods. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager also noted that there was a push to move residents out of temporary accommodation to permanent accommodation within a two-year window.

Councillor Fry asked about the overspends in terms of evaluation fees and bank charges. The Head of Financial Services noted the increase in electronic payments, further audits and an increase in moving software to the cloud, which has a higher implementation fee. 

Councillor Fry than asked about car park charges, with the Head of Financial Services that further details would be reviewed closer to Cabinet and Council in February 2025.

Councillor Jarvis asked about the variance within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for repairs. The Head of Financial Services responded that Officers were working with Oxford Direct Services to reduce the overspend in that area.

Councillor Smowton asked about the slippage column within the report. The Head of Financial Services responded that this was reverse slippage, where budget was brought forward to the following financial year.  

Councillor Fry asked if there were any financial implications in contractors pulling out over the next 12 months. The Head of Financial Services that contracts were still going ahead but would have to be retendered if contractors pulled out, but budgets could be slipped.

Councillor Jarvis asked about the risk register, including the retention of lawyers. The Head of Financial Services responded that turnover within the legal team was a sector wide issue. 

The Panel noted the report; there were no recommendations.

Cllr Jarvis left the meeting.

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.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services Bill Lewis, Financial Accounting Manager, and Laura Bessel, Benefits Service Delivery Manager were in attendance to introduce the report and answer questions.

The Head of Financial Services noted the addendum of the agenda, with the business rates across the city. The Benefits Service Delivery Manager commented on the process for collecting business rates each year.

Councillor Smowton asked about the substantial amount of debt that was collected in the previous year. The Benefits Service Delivery Manager commented on the process and the ongoing contracts with the enforcement agency.

Councillor Yeatman requested clarity on the empty premises and pop-up shops across the city. The Benefits Service Delivery Manager responded that occupation of the property is not always transparent, but the names on the property are liable to pay. It was also noted the charity shops have to be registered with the Charity Commission to apply for an exempt status.

Councillor Fry commented on the percentage of allocation within the report, and if there would be a change of policy. The Head of Financial Services responded that the figures are inflated each year based on the previous year’s figures. The Financial Accounting Manager added that assumptions are made regarding future trends a calculation methodology and an allowance within the business rates calculation for cost of collection.

The Panel noted the report; there were no 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.

Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services, Bill Lewis, Financial Accounting Manager Laura Bessel, Benefits Service Delivery Manager and Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager were in attendance to introduce the report and answer questions.

The Benefits Service Delivery Manager noted the increase and demand for independent living, which would be at the expense of the Council, and the number of residents that discharge from the NHS to supported accommodation. It was also commented that this was a similar issue within Cambridge and was working with local charities and organisations to address the type of accommodation that is rented. 

Cllr Smowton: asked if this was an issue across the county and was there a correlation with non-unitary authorities. The Financial Accounting Manager responded that the issue within cities and similar to Cambridge, Oxford doesn’t have enough appropriate landlords. It was also noted there would be legislation changes in the next 18 months regarding the licensing of support accommodation. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager also commented the further grants to support this and further conversations with the local NHS trusts.

Councillor Fry asked about the different housing providers. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager responded that further conversations had taken place and further details would be shared with the panel in due course.

Councillor Smowton asked about coordination between district and county Councils. The Benefits Service Delivery Manager commented that the City Council had worked with 10 other local authorities and had positive discussions with the Department of Work and Pensions to review the expenditure of local authorities.

The Panel noted the report; there were no 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.

The Financial Accounting Manager introduced the report, noting the variances going into the Monitoring Report.

The Panel noted the report; there were no 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.

The Panel noted the report; there were no 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 Committee resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘ODS – ODSTL Business Plan Refresh’ on the grounds that their presence would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

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 Committee discussed matters relating to information contained in the exempt report.

The Panel noted the exempt appendix of the 2025/2026 Budget.

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.

The Panel noted the dates of the future meetings.