Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/215

Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Head of Financial Strategy

Kathy.wilcox@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer (CA11)

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:-

a)    note the report and annexes

b)    write off £0.1m owed to the council by a company who are in liquidation. (Annex B, para 107).

c)    write off 17 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £0.380m. (Annex B, para 110).

d)    propose to contribute £5.0m to the Local Government Devolution and Reorganisation reserve from the un-utilised contingency (£3.3m) and unallocated pay inflation of £1.7m, taking the total contribution to £10.0m in 2024/25 (Annex B, para 124)

e)    approve the transfer of £1.0m funding from IFRS9 reserves to the budget priorities reserve to support rural active travel measures. (Annex B, para 134 - 136)

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet considered a report presenting the January 2024 performance, risk, and finance position for the council. The business management reports were part of a suite of performance, risk and budget documents which set out the council’s ambitions, priorities, and financial performance.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report. He explained the background to the Council’s current financial position as detailed in the report.  The projected underspend of £10.5 million would be considered by the Cabinet at the June 2025 meeting.

There were ongoing significant issues with the Direct Schools Grant funding for high needs. These had been highlighted to the government, but no sustainable solution had been provided as yet.

During discussion, members made the following comments:-

·       The impact of the government's changes to the lane rental application requirements, which affected the Council's budget planning for highways maintenance

• The importance of the music service and its role in supporting children with special education needs and disabilities
• The need for clarity from the government on the high needs block funding and the impact of devolution on this issue

Councillor Levy moved and Councillor Sudbury seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    to note the report and annexes

b)    write off £0.1m owed to the council by a company who are in liquidation. (Annex B, para 107).

c)    write off 17 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £0.380m. (Annex B, para 110).

d)    propose to contribute £5.0m to the Local Government Devolution and Reorganisation reserve from the un-utilised contingency (£3.3m) and unallocated pay inflation of £1.7m, taking the total contribution to £10.0m in 2024/25 (Annex B, para 124)

e)    approve the transfer of £1.0m funding from IFRS9 reserves to the budget priorities reserve to support rural active travel measures. (Annex B, para 134 - 136)