Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/029

Key decision

Contact: Verity Royle, Planning and Reporting Manager

Verity.royle@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA11)

To note the report and agree the recommendations

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a) Note the report and annexes;

Annex A Performance – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex B Exceptions – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex C – Complaints and FOI’s

Annex D – Provisional financial year end position 2025/26

Annex E – Annual report

b) Note the summary of the provisional year - end financial position for 2025/26 along with the year-end position on general balances and earmarked reserves as explained in Annex D.

c) Reserves:

i. Approve an £8.0m additional contribution to High Needs DSG risk reserve in 2025/26 (ahead of submission of the SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education). The balance held in the reserve will be considered as part of the budget process for 2027/28 (Annex D Para 116 -118).

ii. Approve that the £2.7m 2025/26 On-Street Parking Account surplus, that has not yet been applied to fund eligible expenditure in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is held in reserves and carried forward for use in future years as set out in Annex D Appendix 4c (Annex D Para 116, 119).

iii. Approve the creation of a Congestion Charge Reserve, and contribution of £1.4m, to hold and support funding for the ongoing operation of the scheme as well as investments set out in the report to Cabinet in May 2026 (Annex D Para 116, 120).

iv. Approve a £0.8m contribution to the Budget Priorities reserve to support Education SEND (Annex D Para 121 - 122).

Recommendation approved.

Cabinet received a report which presented details of the County Council’s performance, strategic risks, and provisional financial outturn for the year 2025/26, providing insights into service delivery, risk management, and budgetary outcomes.

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

Members noted that financial pressures across service areas had been managed within the overall budget through the use of contingencies and higher than anticipated interest income.

The report also set out proposals for additional contributions to reserves, including those relating to high needs, congestion charge and future budget priorities.

In respect of performance, the report indicated that just over half of performance indicators were on track, with continued demand pressures across services and a requirement for further savings in the medium term.

Cabinet also considered the strategic risks facing the Council, including financial resilience and SEND-related pressures.

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

RESOLVED to:-