Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/102

Non-key decision

Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Head of Corporate Finance

Kathy.wilcox@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA13)

To note the report and approve the recommendations

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Note the report and annexes.

b)    Approve a supplementary estimate request of £0.9m relating to additional election costs and supplementary estimates of £0.5m for Bicester Motion and £2.2m relating to Woodeaton Manor Special School (Annex D paragraph 23).

c)    Approve the write off of 2 corporate debts totalling £50k (Annex D paragraph 26)

d)    Approve the write off of 12 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £270k (Annex D paragraph 29).

e)    Note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block 2025/26 forecast and accumulated deficit position ((Annex D paragraphs 36 - 40).

f)      Approve the updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways (Annex D – Appendix 5)

Recommendations approved.

The business management and monitoring reports are part of a suite of performance, strategic risk and finance documents which set out the council’s ambitions, priorities, and financial performance.

Cabinet received a report setting out the Quarter 3 2025/26 performance and Strategic risk overview for the council.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, presented the report. The report detailed a forecast overspend of £14.1 million, offset by underspends elsewhere, resulting in a small net overspend. Councillor Levy emphasised the importance of achieving financial results in line with budgets, especially given future funding uncertainties.  Councillor Levy responded to concerns expressed by a speaker regarding underperformance in some indicators and said that the report focuses on exceptions and that directors are working to strengthen performance.

With regard to Section 106 funds, Councillor Levy explained that these were held until contractual conditions were met, particularly for education projects, and that holding these funds was a feature of the system rather than a failing.

During discussion, Councillor Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, referred to significant improvements in the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments, rising from 18% to nearly 92% within a year, attributing this to the work of the SEND Improvement Assurance Board.

Councillor Levy moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Note the report and annexes.

b)    Approve a supplementary estimate request of £0.9m relating to additional election costs and supplementary estimates of £0.5m for Bicester Motion and £2.2m relating to Woodeaton Manor Special School (Annex D paragraph 23).

c)    Approve the write off of 2 corporate debts totalling £50k (Annex D paragraph 26)

d)    Approve the write off of 12 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £270k (Annex D paragraph 29).

e)    Note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block 2025/26 forecast and accumulated deficit position ((Annex D paragraphs 36 - 40).

f)      Approve the updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways (Annex D – Appendix 5)

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