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Agenda item

Update of 2022/23 Budget

Purpose

To provide an update on the developing budget for 2022/23.

 

Recommendation

That the report be noted and that the Committee submits comments to Cabinet as it wishes.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report from the Chief Finance Officer which provided an update on the developing budget for 2022/23.  Members were asked to note the report and submit any comments to Cabinet as required.

 

The report detailed several main drivers of the change to the budget from last year’s position, outlined in full at paragraph 2.1.  At the time of writing the report the current revenue budget position was a deficit of £830,000.  Officers hoped to fund the one off cost of the local plan as much as possible from existing planning grants and the balance may be funded from ear marked reserves such as Council Priorities.  The report noted that the current draft did not include any increase to fees and charges.

 

The Chief Finance Officer introduced the report and explained that this version concentrated on revenue and there was not definitive decision on the spending review.  Officers were awaiting government confirmation on a number of aspects of the budget and long term savings were being considered to bring waste costs down.  She assured Members that senior officers and managers were very conscious of the need to maintain control of expenditure and were mindful of any additional costs.

 

Councillor Al-Yousuf addressed the meeting and raised a number of queries including the proposed £5 Council Tax increase, askes for clarification on the role of the Civic Pride Officer detailed on page 38 along with why Suez were the only bidder detailed at paragraph 3.4.  In response, Mrs Griffiths explained that the post of Civic Pride Officer had been established at the request of the Waste Team.  The role was aimed at responding to and enforcing fly-tipping breaches and had been successful at partner councils.

 

With regard to the kerbside recycling contract, this had gone out to tender but there had been no response from the market for various reasons.  She assured Members that officers had investigated the reasons and a sensitivity analysis had been completed.  The Chairman reiterated that the market was small with only six national contractors.

 

The Chief Executive provided an update on the second bullet point of paragraph 3.12 relating to requests for growth and the Future Oxfordshire Partnership.  Three items had been identified including the Inclusive Economic Partnership which sought to promote inclusion in access to economic growth.  Mr Hughes highlighted the measures that could be taken to spread economic benefits to everyone in Oxfordshire including skills training and removing educational barriers.

 

Members raised further questions on a range of subjects and were provided with clarification from officers.  The topics included:

 

·         Play equipment and the responsibility of parish and town councils;

·         How much an increase in the tax base would bring in;

·         The Windrush Leisure Centre and alternatives to making repairs;

·         Replacement tenants for Talisman Unit 1 and Des Roches Square; and

·         Replacement Ubico vehicles.

 

With regard to the current situation with the Windrush Leisure Centre, Mrs Griffiths explained that the aim was to prolong the life of the centre as long as possible and any replacement would need funding.  Officers were looking at other sources of funding but future decisions would need to be made about where the Council spent it’s funds.

 

Having considered the report and having heard from the officers present, the Committee

 

Resolved that the report be noted.

Supporting documents:

 

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