Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/195

Non-Key Decision

Contact: Emily Schofield, Head of Public Affairs and Strategy (Emily.Schofield@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer (CMDL5). 

To consider the proposed introduction of a Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Plan Delivery. The role would provide additional political capacity to support delivery of agreed Strategic Plan priorities and forward planning of Cabinet business. It would be non-statutory and advisory, with no executive decision-making powers or delegated authority.

The Leader is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Agree the proposed model for introducing a Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Plan Delivery and any subsequent Deputy Cabinet Member roles.

b)   Confirm that a Deputy Cabinet Member role is non-statutory, advisory and delivery-focused, with no delegated decision-making powers.

c)    Agree the governance safeguards, role description, refreshed Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check requirement and communications approach set out in this report before implementation.

d)   Agree the Role Profile for the Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Plan Delivery Role attached as Annex 1 to this report.

e)    Request the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to update the Council’s Constitution using their delegation from Council to reflect the Leader’s power to appoint to Deputy Cabinet Member roles and to include the role of a Deputy Cabinet Member within the executive arrangements and to report this change to Council.