URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=447

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to detail the Council’s financial performance for Quarter One 2025-2026.   Councillor Smith advised that:   At quarter 1 there was an overall underspend of £260,745 against a profiled budget for the period. Key factors driving this position were: additional income from Trade Waste; the Leisure Contract; vacant posts and better than expected performance in respect of the materials recycling contract. Budget setting for 2025/26 had reduced the base budget for recycling by £300,000, however despite this, in quarter 1 the contract was £25,000 underspent. Income from Trade Waste was £164,000 above target but this was partially offset by expenditure on bins and boxes. There had been vacant positions in Legal and Conservation that had resulted in a combined underspend on employee costs of approximately £50,000. Officers were now in place in those areas and so these savings would now end. The leisure contract was £41,000 ahead of budget, so was performing better than expected The Governments consultation on Fairer Funding Review and Business Rates Reset had ended and final proposals from MHCLG were expected by the end of October. West Oxfordshire would be subject to a cash cut as it was not subject to a funding guarantee. This had been modelled in the Councils medium term financial strategy which would be further updated when more detail emerged.   Councillor Smith proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.   Councillor Graham seconded the proposal.   This was voted on and approved unanimously.   RESOLVED: That the Executive: 1.    Noted the Council’s Financial Performance for Quarter One 2025-2026.

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025