Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Cabinet agreed to the recommended changes, including the increase in funding, changes to the capital programme, and approval of revised indicators.
summary: The decision involves increasing funding for community grants, ceasing work on a regeneration scheme, purchasing homes for social housing, and approving revised capital and prudential indicators.
topline: The Cabinet has decided to increase funding for community grants, purchase homes for social housing, and make changes to the capital programme.
reason_contentious: This decision may be contentious due to the allocation of funds for social housing and the cessation of work on a regeneration scheme.
affected_stakeholders: ["Community members", "Social housing residents", "Local businesses", "Council employees"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: There are no explicit mentions of political parties in the decision.
URL: https://democratic.southoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1040
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: Yes
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose: To approve the additional revenue funding for community grants and the revisions to the capital programme.
Content: RECOMMENDED to Council on 17 July 2025: (a) To agree an increase of £521,000 to the funding to be made available under the Revenue Community Grants scheme awards for 2025/26 – 2026/27, as detailed in appendix one of this report, to be funded from the underspend on the 2024/25 revenue budget. (b) That the following changes are made to the capital programme 2025/26 to 2029/30: i) to cease further work on the “Didcot Gateway Regeneration Schemes” capital scheme in light of impending Local Government Reorganisation other than for workstreams in progress. ii) to purchase approximately 30 homes for use as social housing, investing up to £10 million through an addition to the council’s approved capital programme. (c) To approve the revised capital programme attached as appendix two, and revised prudential indicators attached as appendix three, which result from these changes. (d) That a one-off supplementary estimate to the 2025/26 and 2026/27 revenue budgets of a total of £650,000 spread across both years for revenue costs associated with the housing purchases, funded from the underspend on the 2024/25 revenue budget. RESOLVED: That Cabinet (e) Authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to determine the requirements of the additional housing (including desired location and specification), the tenancy and rents setting and manage the acquired housing in line with the obligations of the council as a Registered Provider of Social Housing. (f) Authorise the Head of Development and Corporate Landlord, in consultation with the Heads of Finance, Legal and Democratic, and Housing and Environment, to approve the freehold or leasehold acquisition of property following appropriate due diligence and undertake the works necessary to bring it into use, including any repairs and maintenance.
Date of Decision: July 10, 2025