Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 458 KBVenue: Room 2&3 - County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND. View directions
Contact: Chris Reynolds Tel: 07542 029441; E-Mail: chris.reynolds@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Link: video link https://oxon.cc/Cabinet16122025
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Fawcett, Andrew Gant and Ben Higgins. |
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Declarations of Interest - guidance note below Minutes: There were none. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 18 November 2025 were amended with the inclusion of Councillor James Robertshaw in the list of non-voting members in attendance at both meetings and approved as a correct record. |
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Questions from County Councillors Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am two working days before the meeting, ask a question on any matter in respect of the Cabinet’s delegated powers.
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.
Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time. Minutes: There were none received. |
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Petitions and Public Address Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.
To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak or present a petition are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting. Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk
If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that your views are taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.
Minutes: 9 – Updates to Implementing “Decide and Provide”
Robin Tucker Siobhann Mansell-Playdell
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Appointments Minutes: The Leader of the Council announced that Cllr Dr Izzy Creed had been appointed as Youth Justice Champion. |
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Reports from Scrutiny Committees Cabinet will receive the following Scrutiny reports:
Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee reports on:-
a) Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and s.106 Programme Update b) Movement and Place Plans c) Local Government Reorganisation - One Oxfordshire Proposal
Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Liam Walker, Chair of the Place overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the reports on:-
a) Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and s.106 Programme Update b) Movement and Place Plans c) Local Government Reorganisation - One Oxfordshire Proposal Cabinet received he reports and will respond in due course.
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Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and Section 106 Improvement Programme Update Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action Forward Plan Ref: 2025/129 Contact: Chris Stevenson, Planning Operations Manager (Christine.Stevenson@oxfordshire.gov.uk)
Report by Director of Economy and Place (CA8).
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to
a. Consider the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 (Annex 1)
b. Approve the publication of the report onto the Oxfordshire County Council website
c. Delegate authority to make any minor amendments to the report prior to its publication to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action
d. Note and comment on the update provided on the S106 improvement programme (Annex 2)
e. Note the recommendations from the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in paragraph 20 of this report
Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet had before it a report on the Infrastructure Funding Statement, a statutory statement of fact to be reported annually, by 31 December each year on developer contributions secured, spent and received during the previous financial year, 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, presented the report. Councillor Roberts outlined the progress made in managing Section 106 funds, noting that £37.8 million was received and £30.3 million spent, which was an improvement over previous years, and described efforts to streamline the process and accelerate project delivery. She explained the legal complexities of Section 106 agreements, which were made at the district level, and the need for careful drafting to facilitate project acceleration. During discussion, members reflected on past difficulties in accessing Section 106 information, acknowledged improvements, and discussed the importance of spending on schools and infrastructure, while noting that some funds must be held until appropriate timing for projects. Councillor Roberts moved and Councillor Levy seconded the recommendations and they were approved. RESOLVED to
a. Consider the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 (Annex 1)
b. Approve the publication of the report onto the Oxfordshire County Council website
c. Delegate authority to make any minor amendments to the report prior to its publication to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action
d. Note and comment on the update provided on the S106 improvement programme (Annex 2)
e. Note the recommendations from the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in paragraph 20 of this report
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Updates to "Implementing Decide & Provide" Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action Forward Plan Ref: 2025/233 Contact: Will Pedley, Technical Lead (Transport Planning) Will.pedley@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Report by Director of Economy and Place (CAB).
The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to adopt the proposed updates to the ‘Implementing Decide & Provide: Requirements for Transport Assessments’ document.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet had before it a report recommending adoption of updates to the ‘Implementing Decide & Provide’ document, which guided transport assessments for new developments in Oxfordshire. These updates aligned the document with recent national policy changes and improved its practical application based on user experience. Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report. During discussion, members commented on the necessity of early engagement with local communities, the role of partners such as the NHS and universities, and the need for adequate resources and clear communication to support the policy's success. Members also noted the challenges in ensuring consistent application by officers, planning authorities, and developers, and stressed the importance of rigorous implementation and monitoring to achieve healthier, more sustainable communities. Councillor Roberts moved and Councillor Bearder seconded the recommendations and they were approved. RESOLVED to adopt the proposed updates to the ‘Implementing Decide & Provide: Requirements for Transport Assessments’ document
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Capital Programme Update and Monitoring Report Forward Plan Ref: 2025/014 Contact: Natalie Crawford, Capital Programme Manager Natalie.crawford@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Report by Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer (CA10)
Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:
b. Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.
Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet had before it the third capital programme update and monitoring report for 2025/26 which set out the monitoring position based on activity to the end of October 2025.
Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, presented the report.
Councillor Levy reported that the 10-year capital programme totals £1.43 billion, with actual expenditure at the end of October just over £103 million and a forecast of £186 million for the year, noting some slippages due to design and contractor delays. Highlights included progress on active travel schemes, the Whitney access scheme, and the reopening of Whitney Library, as well as significant investment in new school places and SEND provision. During discussion, Members discussed the various funding sources, including Section 106 and government grants, and noted the impact of central government funding pressures on future service provision.
Councillor Levy moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations and they were approved.
RESOLVED to:
b. Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.
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Forward Plan and Future Business 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 CA11. 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. Minutes: 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.
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For information only: Cabinet response to Scrutiny item Verge and Vegetation Management Minutes: Noted. |