The Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Insurance Fund, treasury management, capital programme monitoring, a new payment management system, Biggin Hill Airport, Section 106 agreements¹ and the corporate contract register. The committee supported recommendations for the Insurance Fund, treasury management, capital programme monitoring and the payment management system. They also noted the Biggin Hill Airport update, the Section 106 agreements update and the corporate contract register.

Biggin Hill Airport

The committee noted the trial for an alternative approach to runway 03 at Biggin Hill Airport has been approved and is commencing, which is expected to deliver significant noise reduction benefits for residents under the flightpath. The Airport Monitoring Officer explained that weather conditions had prevented flights using the approach to Runway 03, but the new approach was expected to be used by Thursday 27 November. The six-month trial would run from November, and it was expected that all capable aircraft would use the alternative approach. During the trial, the airport would collect data on noise levels to assess the changes' impact.

Members of the committee expressed disappointment and frustration regarding ongoing delays with the review of the Noise Action Plan (NAP). The committee noted that there would be a further review by the Airport with a report back to this committee in the latter part of next year. The intention was that a revised and signed NAP would be considered by the committee at that time.

Councillor Jonathan Andrews, Darwin Ward Councillor, submitted a representation that was attached to the minutes. Councillor Andrews requested that the Noise Sensitive Area regime applicable to BHAL flights should be reviewed, with a view to ensuring local residents residing under this new route be protected from the impact of flights to the greatest extent possible.

The committee requested that any sanctions applied in the future be reported to the committee and suggested that it may be helpful to consider whether the minutes from the Consultative Committee be made available on or from the Council website.

Insurance Fund Annual Report

The committee supported the recommendations of the Insurance Fund Annual Report 2024/25. The report advised members of the Insurance Fund position as at 31 March 2025 and presented statistics relating to insurance claims for the last few years. In 2024/25, the total fund value increased from £4.5m to £4.8m. A mid-year review of the fund had also been carried out and at this stage, it was estimated that the final fund value as at 31 March 2026 would decrease to approximately £4.7m. The position would continue to be monitored throughout the year.

The committee noted that insurance policy unoccupancy conditions were outlined in the report. The Insurance and Risk Manager explained that these were standard insurance policy conditions, and it was the responsibility of the Council's Property Department to ensure compliance with the conditions.

The Insurance and Risk Manager confirmed that he was not aware of any commercial insurer offering any policy for empty commercial properties. The Property Department had been asked to provide a list of empty properties to enable an approach to the insurance market, but it was the view of the Insurance and Risk Manager that such cover would be unlikely.

It was suggested that there should be a further item at a future meeting and that the Council's Property Division should be invited to join the discussion.

A member suggested that it would be prudent to monitor the number of claims in respect of the lease car fleet and that if the number of claims continued to grow it could be prudent to consider the cost/benefit of requiring drivers of lease car to undertake an advanced driving course.

Councillor Shaun Slator, Vice-Chairman of the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee, suggested that it might be helpful in future reports to include details of where the council had been able to recover funds from contractors through counter claims.

Treasury Management

The committee supported the recommendations of the Treasury Management - Quarter 2 Performance 2025/26 & Mid-Year Review report. This report summarised treasury management activity during the second quarter of 2025/26. Investments as at 30 September 2025 totalled £287.2m (£296.5m at 30 June 2025) and there was no outstanding external borrowing.

The report ensured that the council was implementing best practice and complying with the requirements of the CIPFA² Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

The Director of Finance explained that there were a number of variables determining the timing of future borrowing and that these details would be included in the budget report which would be presented to members at the next meeting.

Capital Programme Monitoring

The committee supported the recommendations of the Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 2 2025/26 report. On 26 November 2025, the Executive would receive a report summarising the current position on capital expenditure and receipts following the second quarter of 2025/26 and would be asked to agree a revised capital programme for the period 2025/26 to 2029/30. This report highlighted changes to be considered by the Executive in respect of the capital programme for the Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management portfolio.

Payment Management System

The committee supported the recommendations of the Payment Management System report. The Payment Management System was the core platform for the council's payment and income management functions and enabled the council and its agents to manage financial transactions in excess of £46m annually.

The council had operated and developed the use of its existing system through the implementation of additional modules, since 2002 when it was introduced. The system was embedded across a range of service areas and systems and continued to fully meet the council's requirements in terms of payment and income management.

The report sought delegated authority to procure a Payment Management System by making a direct award through a complaint procurement framework for a 5-year contract, commencing April 2026.

The Assistant Director for Governance and Procurement explained that whilst there were a number of differences between the procurement of this contract and the recent banking contract, the key difference was the market environment and the market conditions for the software.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop, Chairman of the Executive, Resources & Contracts PDS Committee, noted that the contract delivered an overall saving for the council.

Budget Monitoring

The committee supported the recommendations of the Budget Monitoring 2025/26 report. The report provided the second budget monitoring position for 2025/26 based on expenditure and activity levels up to the end of September 2025. The report also highlighted any significant variations which would impact on future years as well as any early warnings that could impact on the final year end position.

The Director of Finance explained that it was expected that the White Paper would be part of the local government settlement and that nationally, the total DSG³ deficit for Local Authorities was around £8bn and it was expected that the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) as part of the Government Budget process later in the week.

The committee referred issues around the approach to mitigating the overspend in the Environment Portfolio to the Environment and Community Services PDS Committee for review.

The Director of Finance confirmed that the budget report which would be presented in January 2026 would provide the key details as well as an updated financial forecast.

The committee noted that January's budget report would refer to the ongoing impact of the Churchill Court site. Councillor Yvonne Bear, Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation & Housing, would give some consideration as to the most appropriate way to present the income and expenditure relating to the Churchill Court site and report back to the committee.

Council Tax Support/Reduction Scheme

The committee supported the recommendation of the Council Tax Support/Reduction Scheme report. The report sought approval for the 2026/27 Council Tax Support Scheme.

The committee noted that the Council Tax Support/Reduction Scheme could be amended annually however, as there had been a significant change last year the aim was not to change it this year.

The Assistant Director for Exchequer Services explained that at this point in the year there was not quite six months' worth of data and that the intention was to undertake a full review once a complete years' worth of data was available, concerning the impact of previous changes on vulnerable adults and children.

Section 106 Agreements Update

The committee noted the Section 106 Agreements Update. The report provided an update on Section 106 Agreements.

Corporate Contract Register

The committee noted the Corporate Contract Register. This report presented November 2025's Corporate Contracts Register for consideration.

The Assistant Director for Governance and Procurement confirmed that further enquiries would be made with the contracts owner regarding contract ID3672 – Inform CPI Ltd, and members would be updated as appropriate.

The committee received an update on the two flagged contracts – one had been flagged due to a timing issue, and it was anticipated that an extension would be authorised. With respect to the other flagged contract concerning direct payments, an alternative contract had now been put in place. Councillor Simon Fawthrop congratulated officers on the smooth transition to the new Direct Payments contract.