This meeting was scheduled to include the adoption of a new gambling policy, the noting of a report on the work undertaken by the council's audit committee, and decisions about changes to the way the council supports residents who are struggling to pay their council tax, as well as several other topics.

Joint Gambling Policy

The council was scheduled to consider whether to adopt the proposed Joint Gambling Policy, which was produced after a statutory consultation. This would replace the current policy, which is due to expire at the end of January 2025.

The document begins by describing the role of South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council as licensing authorities under the Gambling Act 2005.¹ It explains how the councils will approach licensing decisions, and describes the types of gambling premises they license, how they will approach applications to license them, and what information applicants will need to provide.

The policy document explains that both South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council have adopted a ‘no casino’ resolution under Section 166(1) of the Gambling Act 2005, meaning that they would not consider an application to open a casino in either district.

The document also sets out the licensing objectives, which are:

• Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime • Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way • Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

The policy goes on to explain how the council will work to ensure that gambling is conducted in accordance with these objectives.

The proposed policy document also describes the types of permits that the councils can grant under the act, such as permits for gaming machines in pubs, and the conditions that apply to these permits. It also describes the process for applying for a temporary use notice.²

Joint Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report

The council was scheduled to note the Joint Audit and Governance Committee's Annual Report, which summarises the work of the committee during 2023/24.

The report explains that the committee considered several reports during the year, including:

• The local authority audit
• The 2021/22 statement of accounts
• The 2022/23 treasury management outturn report
• The 2023/24 internal audit plan
• The external auditor's audit results report for 2021/22
• The code of conduct annual report for 2022/23

The report also notes that the committee received training in several areas, including the role of internal audit, developing the audit committee, risk management, and treasury management.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025/26

The council was scheduled to consider a report on the council’s council tax reduction scheme.³

The report explains that the council has seen a slight increase in the number of cases where vulnerable residents are not claiming council tax support within the current six-month period that the scheme allows for backdating. The report attributes this increase to the cost of living crisis.

The report recommends that the council increase the maximum period for backdating new council tax reduction claims from six months to 12 months, where good cause can be demonstrated.

Council Tax Base 2025/26

The council was scheduled to consider a report on setting the council tax base for 2025/26.⁴

The report recommends that the council tax base for 2025/26 be set at 63,639.9. This is an increase of 1.5% from the 2024/25 tax base.

Councillors' Allowances Scheme

The council was scheduled to consider a report on a revised councillors' allowances scheme, which would take effect from 1 April 2025.

The report, produced by the council's Joint Independent Remuneration Panel,⁵ explains that it recommends that the basic allowance for all councillors be set at £8,391 per annum.

It also includes recommendations on the following other allowances that councillors are able to claim:

• Special Responsibility Allowances - payable to councillors who hold certain positions of responsibility, such as the leader of the council, deputy leader, cabinet members, and chairs of committees.
• Co-optees’/Independent Persons Allowance - payable to people who serve on council committees or sub-committees but are not councillors.
• Travelling and Subsistence Allowance - payable to councillors and co-optees/independent persons for travel and subsistence incurred in connection with their duties.
• Dependants’ Carers’ Allowance - payable to councillors to cover the cost of childcare or care for dependent relatives while they are carrying out their duties.

The report sets out the reasons for each of the panel’s recommendations.

Future Oxfordshire Partnership - recent activity by South representatives’ update

The council was scheduled to receive an update report on the Future Oxfordshire Partnership.⁶

The report included updates on the partnership’s work to secure funding for a number of projects, including the Benson Relief Road,⁷ and a number of community led housing schemes. It also described the partnership’s plans to support a transition to net zero.

Land acquisition

The meeting agenda scheduled a private discussion about the acquisition of land. This section of the meeting was not open to the public.

The agenda pack includes a separate document that details the recommendations made by the council’s cabinet about the acquisition of land at their meeting on 28 November 2024.

Review of political balance following the Cholsey by-election

The council was scheduled to consider a report on the review of political balance following the Cholsey by-election on 5 December 2024. This followed the resignation of Councillor Ben Manning in October.