Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.

Decisions published

03/02/2025 - Procurement of a Microsoft Solutions Partner ref: 996    Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

To approve the procurement of a Microsoft Gold Partner to support the councils Microsoft 365 and Azure systems.

 

Decision Maker: Head of corporate services

Decision published: 07/02/2025

Effective from: 15/02/2025

Decision:

To approve the award of a joint contract with Vale of White Horse District Council, for the councils’ Microsoft Solutions Partner to Node4 (Risual Ltd). This contract will run for a minimum of three years.

Lead officer: Simon Turner


03/02/2025 - ICMD - Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Order ref: 995    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet member for planning

Decision published: 04/02/2025

Effective from: 03/02/2025

Decision:

To recommend to Council:

1.To determine that the Burcot and Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Order does not meet three of the relevant seven basic conditions, specifically:

 

•Having regard to national policies and advice containing guidance issued by the Secretary of State it is appropriate to make the Order.

•The making of the Order contributes to the achievement of sustainable development.

•The making of the Order is in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area.

 

2.To accept the Examiner’s recommendation and resolve that the Burcot and Clifton Hampden Neighbourhood Development Order be refused.


03/02/2025 - ICMD - Crowmarsh Neighbourhood Development Plan ref: 994    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet member for planning

Decision published: 04/02/2025

Effective from: 03/02/2025

Decision:

To recommend to Council:

1. To make the revised Crowmarsh Neighbourhood Development Plan, as set out in Appendix 2 of this report, so that it becomes part of the council’s development plan.

2. To delegate to the Head of Policy and Programmes, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member and in agreement with the Qualifying Body, Crowmarsh Parish Council, the making of minor (non-material) modifications, the correction of any spelling, grammatical, typographical or factual errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective.


30/01/2025 - Revenue budget 2025/26 and capital programme 2025/26 – 2029/30 ref: 992    Recommmend Forward to Council

To recommend the budget to Council

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2025 to:

 

(a)        set the revenue budget for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

 

(b)        approve the capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendices D.1 and D.2 to the report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in Appendices D.3 and D.4 to the report;

 

(c)        set the council’s prudential limits as listed in Appendix E to the report;

 

(d)        set the medium-term financial plan to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix F to the report;

 

(e)        allocate £590,000 to fund the Communities Capital and Revenue grant scheme

 

 

RESOLVED: to agree that the head of finance, in consultation with the cabinet member for finance, may make minor adjustments to this report and the prudential indicators should they prove necessary prior to its submission to Council on 13 February 2025.

Lead officer: Simon Hewings


30/01/2025 - Capital strategy 2025/26 to 2034/35 ref: 991    Recommmend Forward to Council

To recommend Council to approve the strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2034/35

 

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2025 to:

 

(a)       approve the capital strategy 2025/26 to 2034/35 which is contained in Appendix 1 of the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet.

 

(b)       agree the strategy for flexible use of capital receipts which is contained as annex A of the capital strategy.

Lead officer: Simon Hewings


30/01/2025 - Treasury management and investment strategy 2025/26 ref: 990    Recommmend Forward to Council

To recommend Council to approve the strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2025/26

 

RESOLVED: to

 

(a)        Consider any comments from the Joint Audit and Governance Committee

 

(b)        note the treasury management strategy 2025/26, prudential indicator limits and annual investment strategy as set out in Appendix A.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2024:

 

(c)        To approve the treasury management strategy 2025/26 to 2027/28 as set out in Appendix A

 

(d)        To approve the prudential indicators and limits for 2025/6 to 2027/28 as set out in Appendix A.

 

(e)       To approve the annual investment strategy 2025/6 set out in Appendix A, and the lending criteria detailed in table 6.

 

(f)         To approve the Environmental, Social and Governance Policy, as set out in Appendix E.

Lead officer: Simon Hewings


30/01/2025 - Treasury management mid-year monitoring report 2024/25 ref: 989    Recommmend Forward to Council

To consider the report and make recommendations to Council

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

Treasury management mid-year monitoring report 2024/25

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.    To consider any comments from the Joint Audit and Governance Committee

 

2.    to note the treasury management mid-year monitoring report 2024/25.

 

3.    That they were satisfied that the treasury activities are carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2025 toapprove the treasury management mid-year monitoring report 2025/26.

Lead officer: Simon Hewings


30/01/2025 - Council Tax - Long-term Empty Property Premium (LTEPP) duration change ref: 993    Recommmend Forward to Council

To approve the report to reduce the current empty property duration allowed prior to a LTEPP commencing, down from two years to one year. This change is provided for within the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, taking into account all exceptions laid out within The Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings and Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2024, published on 1 November 2024.

If the report is approved the change from two years down to one year will take effect at Vale from 1 April 2026.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2025 that, with effect from 1 April 2026, the following amendments are made to the council’s long-term empty property premiums (LTEPP):

 

a)    to reduce the current empty property duration allowed, prior to a council tax LTEPP commencing, down from two years to one year. This change is provided for within the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

 

b)    to adopt all LTEPP exceptions laid out within the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings and Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2024, published on 1 November 2024 (listed within the body of the report).

Lead officer: Trevor Gaffney


30/01/2025 - Rent setting policy for council provided housing ref: 986    Recommendations Approved

To approve the rent setting policy for council provided housing.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 11/02/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

a)    That Cabinet approves the adoption of the Joint Rent Setting Policy for Council provided Social Housing as outlined in Appendix 1.

 

b)    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Head of Housing and Environment to implement the policy and oversee rent and service charge setting within the prescribed framework.

 

c)That Cabinet delegates authority to the Head of Housing and Environment, in conjunction with the Head of Legal and Cabinet member for Housing, to make operational and minor changes to the Policy as required.

 

d)    To allow constitutional changes to authorise the Head of Housing and Environmental to amend rents in line with recommendation (c).

 

e)    That the Cabinet approves the increase of rents by up to 2.7% from 01 April 2025, and that delegated authority is given to the Head of Housing and Environment to calculate specific rents and ensure that all existing council tenants are made aware of this change.

Lead officer: Simon Price


30/01/2025 - Car park fees and charges 2025 ref: 987    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 11/02/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED: that Cabinet

 

a)    Agree the car parking fees for the financial year 2025-26. In addition, Cabinet agreed to implement:

·       Option B, to increase all fees by 10 percent;

·       Option C, to amend longer stay fees to charge £1 per hour;

·       Option D, to amend permit prices based on current daily fee and calculated on an agreed formula, and

·       Option G, that authority is delegated to the Head of Development and Corporate Landlord in consultation with the Cabinet member for technical services to decide whether to recharge and loss of income from reserving bays in car parks and if so, the recharge would be the loss of income from the daily fee plus 20 percent inclusive of VAT.

 

b)    Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic to prepare a Notice of Variation under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for publishing in the local newspaper and all affected car parks. (Or authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic to prepare and publish a draft order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984)

 

c)  Authorise the Head of Development and Corporate Landlord to oversee necessary communications and consultations and report back to Cabinet.

Lead officer: John Backley


30/01/2025 - Council Plan ref: 988    Recommmend Forward to Council

Decision Maker: Council

Decision published: 03/02/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

RESOLVED: to approve the Council Plan 2025-29 (Appendix 1)

 

RECOMMENDED to Council on 13 February 2025 to adopt the Council Plan – The way ahead.

Lead officer: Tim Oruye