Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Judy Roberts.

- guidance note below

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026 were approved as a correct record.

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am three working days before the meeting, ask a question on an item on the agenda.

The number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of this item will receive a written response.

See attached.

Members of the public who wish to speak on an item on the agenda at this meeting, or present a petition, can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.

Requests to present a petition must be submitted no later than 9am ten working days before the meeting.

Requests to speak must be submitted no later than 9am three working days before the meeting.

Requests should be submitted to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

7  - Reports from Scrutiny Committees

Cllr Glynis Phillips

8 – Improving our Fire and Rescue Service

Cllr Glynis Phillips

9 – Oxford Congestion Charge Investment Plan

Luke Marion

Bernadette Evans

Richard Parnham

Robin Tucker

12- Community cohesion action plan

Danny Yee

Robin Tucker

Cllr Susanna Pressel

14 – Updates to the Parking Standards for New Developments

Danny Yee

There were no appointments to report to this meeting.

There are no reports from Scrutiny Committees to be considered at this meeting.

Cabinet received the following recommendations from the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and will respond in due course:-

a)    Devolution Update – Thames Valley Strategic Authority

b)    Community Asset Transfer and Community Leasing Policy

Cabinet Member: Resources and Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/070

Key decision

Contact: Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety

Rob.macdougall@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety

Annex 1 to this report contains information previously designated as exempt from publication but is no longer exempt.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the contents of this report and confirm its:

i)      support for the fire and rescue service to continue engagement with its employees with respect to the main proposal comprised of implementing 12-hour day shifts for full-time firefighters at five currently on-call fire stations.

ii)     support for the Fire and Rescue Service to continue engagement with its employees with respect to the proposal to remove the On Call fire engine from Rewley Road Fire Station.

iii)   agreement to revisit at a later date the north of Oxford fire station proposal once further details are known.

iv)   withdraw the proposal to remove the second fire engine at Thame Fire Station whilst the Fire and Rescue Service continue discussions with colleagues around fire and rescue cover in this area.

v)    agreement to withdraw any station closures from the proposals to provide an opportunity for the service to explore further local and centralised firefighter recruitment.

vi)   Recognition of the financial implications of recommendations iv and v (as set out in Annex 2) and agreement to consider the need for further investment for the Fire and Rescue Service in line with Options 5 - 7 as part of the budget planning for 2027/28.

vii)  approval of any other actions required to enable continued engagement and consideration of the revised policy approach.

Cabinet had before it an interim report regarding the “Improving our Fire and Rescue Service” public consultation conducted from October 2025 to January 2026. The report focused on proposals to enhance emergency response effectiveness, including changes to fire station operations, fire engine availability, and workforce deployment, while reflecting on public and employee feedback and financial considerations to guide future decisions and investments in the service.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Resources and Deputy Leader presented the report.

The Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety referred to the significant level of public engagement in the consultation, which had received over 1,200 formal responses. The feedback demonstrated strong public concern regarding station closures, reductions in night-time cover and the removal of fire engines, alongside a preference for investment-led approaches to improving service performance.

Having carefully considered the consultation responses, Cabinet agreed to withdraw the proposals to close fire stations in Eynsham, Henley and Woodstock, and to withdraw the proposal to remove the second fire engine at Thame Fire Station. The proposal relating to North Oxfordshire Fire Station was paused for further consideration.

Cabinet also agreed to continue structured engagement with employees and their representatives on the proposal to introduce 12-hour day shifts and noted the financial implications of withdrawing certain proposals. Any investment-led options would be considered as part of the 2027/28 budget planning process.

Councillor Fawcett moved and Councillor Levy seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    note the contents of this report

b)    confirm:-

i)      support for the fire and rescue service to continue engagement with its employees with respect to the main proposal comprised of implementing 12-hour day shifts for full-time firefighters at five currently on-call fire stations.

ii)     support for the Fire and Rescue Service to continue engagement with its employees with respect to the proposal to remove the On Call fire engine from Rewley Road Fire Station.

iii)   agreement to revisit at a later date the north of Oxford fire station proposal once further details are known.

iv)   the withdrawal of the proposal to remove the second fire engine at Thame Fire Station whilst the Fire and Rescue Service continue discussions with colleagues around fire and rescue cover in this area.

v)    agreement to withdraw any station closures from the proposals to provide an opportunity for the service to explore further local and centralised firefighter recruitment.

vi)   recognition of the financial implications of recommendations iv and v (as set out in Annex 2) and agreement to consider the need for further investment for the Fire and Rescue Service in line with Options 5 - 7 as part of the budget planning for 2027/28.

vii)  approval of any other actions required to enable continued engagement and consideration of the revised policy approach.

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/007

Key decision

Contact: Hannah Battye, Head of Place shaping

Hannah.battye@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Environment and Highways

Cabinet will be asked to consider officer recommendations for uses of the income generated by the temporary congestion charge

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    approve “part 1” of the congestion charge investment plan, as detailed at Annex 1 and outlined in paragraph 23

b)    approve “part 2” of the congestion charge investment plan, as detailed at Annex 1 and outlined in paragraph 23

c)    confirm that allocations to specific projects or schemes in line with the areas of spend identified in Part 2 of the investment plan (including the reserve) can be made under the delegation authorised by resolution (e) of the 10 September 2025 cabinet decision:

·       delegate approval for future surplus investment to the Director for Environment and Highways, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, Cabinet Member for Transport Management and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation.

Cabinet had before it a report setting out the proposed investment plan for surplus income from Oxford’s temporary congestion charge scheme, outlining recommended allocations and justifications for spending to support local transport policies.

Cabinet heard from external speakers on matters including the performance of the free park and ride scheme, bus usage, impacts on small businesses, monitoring arrangements, and proposals for express hospital bus services and enhanced active travel infrastructure.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report.

Cabinet acknowledged the positive outcomes identified to date, including reduced congestion and improved bus reliability, but agreed that further stakeholder engagement and refinement of the proposals was required before formal approval.

RESOLVED to defer consideration of this item to the meeting on 19 May 2026.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/097

Non-key decision

Contact: Kim Sawyer, Programme Director Devolution

Kim.sawyer@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report of the Chief Executive

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

1.    Note progress on devolution discussions across the Thames Valley between December 2025 and March 2026.

2.    Note the evolving national policy context and the emerging position on governance and the supplementary expression of interest (EOI) submitted on 20 March 2026.

3.    Agree the proposed next steps to continue constructive engagement with partner authorities and Government, while maintaining the Council’s commitment to securing a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the Thames Valley.

Cabinet received a report which provided an update recent progress in devolution discussions for the Thames Valley, focusing on the evolving national policy context and governance options.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, presented the report.

Cabinet noted the recent invitation to submit an expression of interest in becoming a foundation strategic authority, as a precursor to potential mayoral strategic authority status.

Cabinet noted that an expression of interest had been submitted by the government’s deadline and that further progress remained subject to post-election clarification on governance and geographic arrangements for any future Thames Valley Authority.

Councillor Leffman moved and Councillor Higgins seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Note progress on devolution discussions across the Thames Valley between December 2025 and March 2026.

b)    Note the evolving national policy context and the emerging position on governance and the supplementary expression of interest (EOI) submitted on 20 March 2026.

c)    Agree the proposed next steps to continue constructive engagement with partner authorities and Government, while maintaining the Council’s commitment to securing a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the Thames Valley.

Cabinet Member: Public Health and Inequalities

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/256

Key decision

Contact: Paul Wilding, Programme Manager (Cost of Living)

Paul.wilding@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Partnerships

To agree an expenditure programme following the government’s announcement of allocations from the new Crisis & Resilience Fund for the three year period from 1 April 2026.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    agree the proposed structure of the cost of living support programme for 2026-29.

b)    delegate authority to the Director of Public Affairs, Policy & Partnerships in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities to agree new areas of expenditure, and allocate funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund during 2026-29.

Cabinet received a report presenting the proposed structure and details of the Cost of Living Support Programme for Oxfordshire from 2026 to 2029. The report outlined the government’s introduction of the three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), replacing the previous Household Support Fund (HSF), and explained how the funding would be allocated and used to support residents facing financial hardship due to ongoing cost of living pressures. The report also reviewed the 2025/26 programme and incorporated findings from a resident consultation to inform future priorities.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, presented the report.

Cabinet noted reductions in government funding and the ending of free school meal vouchers during school holidays, with the final vouchers having been issued at Easter. Cabinet agreed alternative targeted support measures, including enhanced support through family hubs, early years services, resident support schemes, school-based interventions and the Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Councillor Gregory moved and Councillor Gaul seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)               agree the proposed structure of the cost of living support programme for 2026-29.

b)       delegate authority to the Director of Public Affairs, Policy & Partnerships in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities to agree new areas of expenditure, and allocate funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund during 2026-29.

Cabinet Member: Public Health and Inequalities

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/045

Non-key decision

Contact: Carol Stow, Engagement and Consultation Manager

Carol.stow@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Partnerships

Following the motion approved at Council in December 2025, a community cohesion action plan is being developed in partnership with councillors, stakeholders, and communities to strengthen cohesion across Oxfordshire. This report will provide an update on the development of the action plan and the work in train.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

Note the progress being made by Oxfordshire County Council to provide strengthen community cohesion across the county in response to the motion approved at Full Council on 9 December 2025.

Cabinet had before it a report detailing Oxfordshire County Council’s ongoing efforts to enhance community cohesion in response to a council motion and amid various social challenges. It outlined recent initiatives, contextual background, and future plans to foster stronger, more connected communities.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, presented the report.

The report referred to new government guidance and strategy documents on community cohesion, including the Common Ground framework and the Protecting What Matters action plan, which emphasise tackling misinformation, hate crime, and declining trust in institution

Cabinet noted the establishment of a cross-party advisory group, ongoing member workshops, and pilot “listening exchange” work in partnership with the University of Oxford. Members welcomed suggestions regarding the role of public realm and transport schemes in supporting community cohesion.

Councillor Gegory moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendation, and it was approved.

RESOLVED to note the progress being made by the Council to strengthen community cohesion across the county in response to the motion approved at Council on 9 December 2025.

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/008

Non-key decision

Contact: James Cater, National Management Trainee

James.cater@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Property and Assets

Update to the Community Asset Transfer policy, as well as introducing a Community Leasing policy. These policies define how, where appropriate, the Council can devolve assets to local VCS groups at less than best consideration in recognition of the social value generated by those groups

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the Community Asset Transfer (Annex 1) and Community Leasing (Annex 2) Policies.

Cabinet had before it a report regarding two updated policies for transferring or leasing council-owned properties to community organisations to promote public benefit and community empowerment. These policies clarified processes, eligibility, and assessment criteria to better support local voluntary and community groups while safeguarding council interests.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report. He explained that the policy established a process for receiving and assessing applications from community groups, with working parties evaluating proposals against council priorities such as equality and public health. Ongoing monitoring would ensure that groups used assets as intended.

Councillor Levy moved and Councillor Hannaby seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to approve the Community Asset Transfer (Annex 1) and Community Leasing (Annex 2) Policies.

.

Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action

Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/241

Key decision

Contact: Michael Deadman, Transport Development Control Lead Officer

Michael.deadman@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Economy and Place

The Parking Standards for New Developments was adopted in October 2022; it is now due to be updated. Following internal and external engagement on the draft updated document, formal adoption by Cabinet of the finalised updated document is sought.

Approval from Cabinet is also sought to proceed to a statutory consultation, which is necessary to enable changes to LTCP policy to provide suitable support for the Parking Standards.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

adopt the proposed updates to the ‘Parking Standards for New Developments’ document as set out in Annex 1.

Cabinet received a report which detailed proposed updates to its ‘Parking Standards for New Developments’ to better align with the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) and recent national policy changes, aiming to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable travel in new developments.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report.  Councillor Gant pointed out that a revised version of the parking standards (annex 1 to the report) had been published in the addenda to the agenda. The updated parking standards aimed to reduce reliance on private cars and encourage sustainable transport, introducing a new 'car light' category and aligning cycle parking requirements with national guidance (LTN 120), while acknowledging local variations in cycling rates.

During discussion, Cabinet members highlighted the importance of the policy in supporting future housing growth, sustainable transport, and active travel, while noting the need for improved public transport services and enforcement by local planning authorities.

Councillor Gant moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to adopt the proposed updates to the ‘Parking Standards for New Developments’ document as set out in annex 1 to the report.

Cabinet Member: Resources and Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/173

Non-key decision

Contact: Prisca Munzemba, Project Support Assistant

Prisca.mundemba@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer)

To approve the Our People & Culture Strategy which ensures we develop high-performing, innovative, highly engaged and agile teams. Employing the best people and reflecting the communities we serve.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Note the refreshed Our People and Culture Strategy 2026–2028 and its four priority areas for attracting, supporting, developing and equipping colleagues to deliver high‑quality services for Oxfordshire.

b)    Note that the full Strategy is provided as an accessible PDF, which sets out the detailed approach, supporting actions, and measures of success.

Cabinet received a report on the refreshed Our People and Culture Strategy 2026–2028 which outlined Oxfordshire Council’s approach to supporting and developing its workforce amid organisational change, focusing on leadership, culture, and capability to deliver quality services. This refreshed strategy was built on previous plans and responded to current challenges including Local Government Reorganisation and financial pressures.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Resources and Deputy Leader, presented the report. Councillor Fawcett explained that The refreshed strategy maintains the four pillars of attract, thrive, grow, and lead, with a renewed focus on leadership development, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, and workforce planning to support staff during a period of significant organisational change.

The strategy was designed to help staff navigate the challenges of local government reorganisation, ensuring they felt secure and supported as they transitioned to new roles or organisations, and emphasising the importance of clear communication and ongoing engagement.

Councillor Fawcett moved and Councillor Gregory seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to

a)    note the refreshed Our People and Culture Strategy 2026–2028 and its four priority areas for attracting, supporting, developing and equipping colleagues to deliver high‑quality services for Oxfordshire.

b)    note that the full Strategy is provided as an accessible PDF, which sets out the detailed approach, supporting actions, and measures of success.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/165

Non-key decision

Contact: Colm Ó Caomhánaigh, Democratic Services Manager

Colm Ó Caomhánaigh@oxfordshire.gov.uk    

To report on a quarterly basis any executive decisions taken under the specific powers and functions delegated under the terms of Part 7.1 (Scheme of Delegation to Officers) of the Council’s Constitution – Paragraph 6.3(c)(i). It is not for Scrutiny call-in.

There has ben no use of delegated powers during the period January to March 2026.

There was no use of delegated powers during the period January to March 2026.

Cabinet Member: All

Contact Officer: Chris Reynolds, Senior Democratic Services Officer, chris.reynolds@oxfordshire.gov.uk

The Cabinet Procedure Rules provide that the business of each meeting at the Cabinet is to include “updating of the Forward Plan and proposals for business to be conducted at the following meeting”.   Items from the Forward Plan for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet appear in the Schedule at CA.  This includes any updated information relating to the business for those meetings that has already been identified for inclusion in the next Forward Plan update.

The Schedule is for noting, but Cabinet Members may also wish to take this opportunity to identify any further changes they would wish to be incorporated in the next Forward Plan update.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.

The Cabinet considered a list of items for the immediately forthcoming meetings of the Cabinet together with changes and additions set out in the schedule of addenda.

RESOLVED to note the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.

Local Area SEND Partnership

Attainment

Education Other Than At School

Fostering

Business Management and Monitoring Report (Public Health focus)

Parking permits

Social Value

Cabinet noted the following responses to Scrutiny items:-

Local Area SEND Partnership

Attainment

Education Other Than At School

Fostering

Business Management and Monitoring Report (Public Health focus)

Parking permits

Social Value