Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/063

Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Head of Financial Strategy

Kathy.wilcox@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a) Note the report and annexes.

b) Approve the virement requests in Annex B-2a and note the requests in Annex B-2b.

c) Approve the OxLEP carry forward of funding and transfer £0.2m held in the Council’s reserves to OxLEP Ltd.

d) Approve the increase to charges for the Home to School Transport Spare Seat Scheme from September 2024.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet considered a report presenting the May 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.

Members were addressed by two members of the public and Councillor Nigel Simpson on concerns regarding the proposed increase to charges for the Home to School Transport Spare Seats Scheme.

The Chair referred to the motion passed at the July 2024 meeting of Full Council and said that a report on the provision of school bus places would be considered by the Cabinet in due course.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report.

During discussion the following points were made:-

·       The Council’s leading position on household waste recycling but concerns at delays by Government in developing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers

·       Concerns regarding the impact of extreme weather events as a result of climate change had not been included in the corporate risk register

·       The likely increase in the deficit budget on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant and the need for this to be addressed by the Government

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

RESOLVED to:-

a)     note the report and annexes.

b)    approve the virement requests in Annex B-2a and note the requests in Annex B-2b.

c)     approve the OxLEP carry forward of funding and transfer £0.2m held in the Council’s reserves to OxLEP Ltd.

d) approve the increase to charges for the Home to School Transport Spare Seat Scheme from September 2024.