The Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on 24 November 2025, to discuss a range of issues including treasury management performance, updates on Biggin Hill Airport, and the corporate contract register. The committee supported recommendations related to the Insurance Fund Annual Report, Treasury Management, Capital Programme Monitoring, Payment Management System, Budget Monitoring, and the Council Tax Support Scheme. They also noted reports on matters outstanding, the forward plan, Section 106 agreements, and the corporate contract register.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

Biggin Hill Airport

The committee received an update on matters relating to Biggin Hill Airport, with a focus on the alternative approach to Runway 03. The Airport Monitoring Officer reported that the new approach was expected to deliver significant noise reduction for residents under the flightpath, and that a six-month trial had been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and would commence on 27 November.

Councillor Jonathan Andrews, Darwin Ward Councillor, submitted a representation, included as an appendix to the minutes¹, requesting that the Noise Sensitive Area regime be reviewed to protect residents under the new route from the impact of flights. Members expressed disappointment with ongoing delays to the review of the Noise Action Plan (NAP), and noted that a revised and signed NAP would be considered by the committee in the latter part of the following year.

The committee requested that any sanctions applied in the future be reported to the committee, and suggested that minutes from the Consultative Committee be made available on the council website.

The committee resolved to note that the trial for an alternative approach to runway 03 had been approved and was commencing, which was expected to deliver significant noise reduction benefits for residents under the flightpath.

Insurance Fund Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Insurance Fund Annual Report for 2024/25, which advised of the fund's position as of 31 March 2025. The total fund value increased from £4.5 million to £4.8 million. A mid-year review estimated that the final fund value as of 31 March 2026 would decrease to approximately £4.7 million.

The Insurance and Risk Manager clarified that insurance policy unoccupancy conditions were standard and that the council's Property Department was responsible for ensuring compliance. He also noted the unlikelihood of finding a commercial insurer for empty commercial properties.

The committee suggested a further item at a future meeting with the council's Property Division to discuss empty properties. They also suggested monitoring claims for the lease car fleet and considering advanced driving courses for drivers.

The Vice-Chairman suggested including details of recovered funds from contractors through counter claims in future reports.

The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Treasury Management Performance

The committee considered the Treasury Management Quarter 2 Performance 2025/26 and Mid-Year Review. The report summarised treasury management activity during the second quarter of 2025/26. Investments as at 30 September 2025 totalled £287.2 million, and there was no outstanding external borrowing.

The Director of Finance explained that the timing of future borrowing depended on a number of variables, which would be included in the budget report at the next meeting.

The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Capital Programme Monitoring

The committee reviewed the Capital Programme Monitoring report for Quarter 2 2025/26. The report summarised the current position on capital expenditure and receipts and highlighted changes to be considered by the Executive in respect of the capital programme for the Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management portfolio.

The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Payment Management System

The committee discussed the Payment Management System, which is the core platform for the council's payment and income management functions, enabling the council and its agents to manage financial transactions in excess of £46 million annually.

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 the difference between the procurement of this contract and the recent banking contract, noting the key difference was the market environment and the market conditions for the software.

The Chairman noted that the contract delivered an overall saving for the council.

The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Budget Monitoring

The committee considered the Budget Monitoring 2025/26 report, which provided the second budget monitoring position for 2025/26 based on expenditure and activity levels up to the end of September 2025.

The Director of Finance explained that the Dedicated Schools Grant² (DSG) deficit was expected to be part of the local government settlement. 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 in January 2026 would provide details on the Transformation Programme and an updated financial forecast.

The committee noted that January's budget report would refer to the ongoing impact of the Churchill Court site. It was agreed that the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing would consider the most appropriate way to present the income and expenditure relating to the Churchill Court site and report back to the committee.

The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Council Tax Support Scheme

The committee reviewed the Council Tax Support/Reduction Scheme report, which sought approval for the 2026/27 scheme.

The committee noted that the scheme could be amended annually, but the aim was not to change it this year due to a significant change last year.

The Assistant Director for Exchequer Services explained that a full review would be undertaken once a complete year's worth of data was available to assess the impact of previous changes on vulnerable adults and children.

The committee supported the recommendation in the report.

Section 106 Agreements Update

The committee received an update on Section 106 Agreements³.

Corporate Contract Register

The committee considered the Corporate Contract Register. Detailed scrutiny of individual contracts was the responsibility of the six PDS Committees, with ERC PDS taking an overview of the council's larger value (£200k+) contracts.

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, and the other flagged contract concerning direct payments, an alternative contract had now been put in place.

The committee noted the report and the detailed commentary in Part 2.