Cabinet Member: Resources and Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/103

Contact: Paul Wilding, Programme Manager

Paul.wilding@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Partnerships (CA13)

On 1 April 2025 the Council passed a motion which stated: “Council requests the relevant Cabinet member for Community and Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance to take a lead from forward-thinking colleagues at Buckinghamshire Council and, working with its Town Council, and District Council partners, invite banks and building societies that have left – or are due to leave – our high streets to explore opportunities to work with this Council to set up similar banking hubs within appropriate Council libraries.”

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to agree to the continuation of efforts to engage banks to provide community services within library facilities and other suitable locations in areas lacking banking services

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report which set out the intended approach to take forward the Council Motion on community banking hubs resolved by Council on 1 April 2025. A summary of recent work was included in the report together with an analysis of areas currently lacking banking services.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Resources and Deputy Leader, presented the report. He reported progress on engaging banks and building societies to provide community services in libraries and other suitable locations, particularly to support digitally excluded residents.

During discussion members highlighted local challenges with regard to banking facilities and welcomed continued efforts and collaboration with local councils.

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

RESOLVED to agree to the continuation of efforts to engage banks to provide community services within library facilities and other suitable locations in areas lacking banking services