Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/028

Key decision

Contact: Natalie Crawford, Capital Programme Manager

Natalie.crawford@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA15)

Financial Report on capital spending against budget allocations, including any necessary capital programme approvals

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a.    Note the capital monitoring position for 2025/26 set out in this report and summarised in Annex 1.

b.    Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.

Additions to the Capital Programme

c.     Approve the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge into the capital programme, with a budget of £8.608m, to be funded from a variety of funding sources.  (see paragraph 65-66)

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before the fourth capital programme update and monitoring report for 2025/26 which set out the monitoring position based on activity to the end of January 2026.

The report also updated the Capital Programme approved by Council in February 2026 taking into account additional funding, new budget priorities and new schemes.  The updated programme also incorporated changes agreed through the Capital Programme Approval Reports to Cabinet during the year as well as new funding.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation presented the report. The Milton Heights Bridge had been added to the capital programme, with funding from Section 106 contributions, Council resources, and retained business rates. The bridge would improve walking and cycling connections and was seen as a key piece of infrastructure for the area. The capital programme also included new schools and classroom expansions in response to population growth, with most funding sourced from Section 106 contributions.

Councillor Levy responded to comments made by a speaker concerning delays and cost overruns in major projects by highlighting examples of projects delivered ahead of schedule and emphasised the complexity of funding and delivery.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a.    Note the capital monitoring position for 2025/26 set out in this report and summarised in Annex 1.

b.    Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.

Additions to the Capital Programme

c.    Approve the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge into the capital programme, with a budget of £8.608m, to be funded from a variety of funding sources.  (see paragraph 65-66)