Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Fawcett and Ben Higgins.

- guidance note below

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2026 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 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 – Road safety

 

Peter Barnett

 

9 - Local Transport Consolidated Funding Settlement - Local Transport Delivery Plan

 

Robin Tucker

Cllr James Fry

 

10 – Movement and Place Plans

 

Paul Finnemore

Robin Tucker

Richard Allen

Cllr Gareth Epps

Cllr James Fry

 

11 – Treasury Management Q3 Performance Report

 

Cllr Brad Baines

 

12 – Business Management and Monitoring Report – Performance and Risk - Q3 2025-26

 

Cllr Brad Baines

 

13 – Update on High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant

 

Cllr Brad Baines

 

14 - Capital Programme Update and Monitoring Report

 

Robin Tucker

Cllr Brad Baines

 

16 – Urgent decision regarding acquisition of property/lease in Oxfordshire

 

Cllr Liz Brighouse OBE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet noted that Councillor Dan Levy had been appointed to the Thames Valley Fire Control Services Joint Committee.

Cabinet will receive the following Scrutiny reports: -

 

Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee reports on:

 

Local Area Partnership Monitoring and Priority Action Plan

Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) Guidance

 

Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee reports on:

 

Road Safety initiatives in Oxfordshire

Repairing of defects and Superusers

 

 

 

Councillor Liz Brighouse OBE, Chair of the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the reports on:

a)    Local Area Partnership Monitoring and Priority Action Plan

b)     Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) Guidance

 

Councillor Liam Walker, Chair of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee  presented the reports on:

 

a)    Road Safety initiatives in Oxfordshire

 

b)    Repairing of defects and Superusers

 

Cabinet to respond to the reports in due course.

 

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/063

Non-key decision

Contact: Lauren Rushen, Senior Policy Officer

Lauren.rushen@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA8)

 

To consider the Council's draft response to the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

(a)           approve the submission of three consultation responses (Annex 1, 2 and 3) to the Ministry for Housing Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG)’s consultation on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Oxfordshire as requested by the Minister of State for Local Government’s letter on 5 February 2026.

 

(b)           Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer in consultation with the Leader to make any changes to the text/and or formatting of the submissions prior to submission to government whilst not materially affecting the overall content of the responses

 

Cabinet had before a report regarding the Council’s draft responses to the Government statutory consultation on three proposals for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire. These were, a single council for all Oxfordshire, two councils including West Berkshire, and three councils also including West Berkshire.

 

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, presented the report. Councillor Leffman referred to the Council’s preferred option for a single unitary authority for the whole of Oxfordshire.

 

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

 

RESOLVED to:-

 

(a)           approve the submission of three consultation responses (Annex 1, 2 and 3) to the Ministry for Housing Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG)’s consultation on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Oxfordshire as requested by the Minister of State for Local Government’s letter on 5 February 2026.

 

(b)           Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer in consultation with the Leader to make any changes to the text/and or formatting of the submissions prior to submission to government whilst not materially affecting the overall content of the responses

 

 

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/006

Key decision

Contact: Hannah Battye, Head of Place Shaping

Hannah.battye@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CA9)

 

The DfT Local Transport Delivery Plan. This item outlines the proposed programme over the next 4 years.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a)    approve the Local Transport Delivery Plan and its submission to the Department for Transport; and

 

b)    delegate authority to the Director of Environment & Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport Management, to make changes to specific schemes and projects within the agreed programmes outlined in the Local Transport Delivery Plan.

 

Cabinet had before it a report on proposals for a Local Transport Delivery Plan. Oxfordshire County Council had received a funding settlement from the Department for Transport (DfT) and was required to produce a Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) detailing how the allocated funds will be prioritised and spent. A draft LTDP, covering spending for 2026/27 and an outline for 2029/30, was required to be submitted by 20 March 2026, with a final version due by 18 September 2026. The Council had also to publish the LTDP in September 2026, with annual updates and prompt amendments as needed when approved changes are made.

 

Additionally, the Council was required to report on plans for forecasting carbon emissions as an outcome framework indicator and undertake whole life carbon assessments in transport decisions, in line with DfT guidance released in August 2025. Further reporting details would be provided later in 2026.

 

The report outlines recommended approaches for grant allocation and identifies the proposed programme for submission to the DfT.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report. Councillor Gant explained the consolidation of previous transport funding streams into the Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund, providing multi-year funding and greater flexibility. The allocations were detailed, with increases in active travel spending and a performance-related element for highways maintenance.

In response to questions from public speakers regarding the importance of active travel schemes, the need for improved monitoring of PM2.5 emissions, and the timely delivery of the Ox Levy programme. Councillor Gant responded that monitoring and health benefits were priorities, and that all feedback was under consideration.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a)    approve the Local Transport Delivery Plan and its submission to the Department for Transport; and

 

b)    delegate authority to the Director of Environment & Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport Management, to make changes to specific schemes and projects within the agreed programmes outlined in the Local Transport Delivery Plan.

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/262

Key decision

Contact: Ashley Hayden, Team Leader (Area Travel Plans)

Ashley.hayden@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CA10)

 

The Movement and Place (MAP) plans form part 2s of the Local Transport Connectivity Plan. This MAP Plan reflects the Bicester area in the North of the County (Cherwell) with further plans to come forward over the following months.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to: -

 

Approve the adoption and publication of the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place Plan (Annex A), and its subsequent supporting documents at A1-A4 (Delivery Plan, proposals map, people postcards, summary of plan).

Cabinet had before it a report recommending approval of the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place (MAP) Plan. The plan was the second in a series under the MAP Plan programme. Its adoption would formally replace the 2016 “Area Strategies” from Local Transport Plan 4, with the MAP Plans taking their place as “Part 2s” of the Local Transport Connectivity Plan (LTCP), specifically supporting Policies 52 and 53.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, presented the report. Councillor Roberts explained that the plan provided a vision and guiding principles for the area, was intended as a living document to be updated annually, and aimed to balance the needs of growth, active travel, and public transport, while acknowledging the challenges posed by the scale of development.

A number of speakers raised concerns about the cumulative impact of multiple developments around Bicester, the need for a cumulative impact board, and the adequacy of the plan in addressing future growth and rural transport needs.

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

RESILVED to approve the adoption and publication of the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place Plan (Annex A), and its subsequent supporting documents at A1-A4 (Delivery Plan, proposals map, people postcards, summary of plan).

 

 

 

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/060

Non-key decision

Contact: Tim Chapple, Treasury Manager

Tim.chapple@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA12)

 

Quarterly report on the Council's treasury management activity.

 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the council’s treasury management activity for the first three quarters of 2025/26.

 

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA’s) ‘Code of Practice on Treasury Management 2021’ requires that committee to which some treasury management responsibilities are delegated, will receive regular monitoring reports on treasury management activities and risks. Cabinet had before it the third report for the 2025/26 financial year, following previous updates in September and November 2025 and set out the position at 31 December 2025.

 

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, presented the report. Councillor Levy confirmed compliance with prudential indicators, described the Council's debt and investment strategies, and reported on the performance of external fund investments, including the divestment from the Schroder's fund and ongoing dividend income.

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

RESOLVED to note the council’s treasury management activity for the first three quarters of 2025/26.

 

 

 

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/102

Non-key decision

Contact: Kathy Wilcox, Head of Corporate Finance

Kathy.wilcox@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA13)

 

To note the report and approve the recommendations

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a)    Note the report and annexes.

b)    Approve a supplementary estimate request of £0.9m relating to additional election costs and supplementary estimates of £0.5m for Bicester Motion and £2.2m relating to Woodeaton Manor Special School (Annex D paragraph 23).

c)    Approve the write off of 2 corporate debts totalling £50k (Annex D paragraph 26)

d)    Approve the write off of 12 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £270k (Annex D paragraph 29).

e)    Note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block 2025/26 forecast and accumulated deficit position ((Annex D paragraphs 36 - 40).

f)      Approve the updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways (Annex D – Appendix 5)

 

The business management and monitoring reports are part of a suite of performance, strategic risk and finance documents which set out the council’s ambitions, priorities, and financial performance.

 

Cabinet received a report setting out the Quarter 3 2025/26 performance and Strategic risk overview for the council.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, presented the report. The report detailed a forecast overspend of £14.1 million, offset by underspends elsewhere, resulting in a small net overspend. Councillor Levy emphasised the importance of achieving financial results in line with budgets, especially given future funding uncertainties.  Councillor Levy responded to concerns expressed by a speaker regarding underperformance in some indicators and said that the report focuses on exceptions and that directors are working to strengthen performance.

With regard to Section 106 funds, Councillor Levy explained that these were held until contractual conditions were met, particularly for education projects, and that holding these funds was a feature of the system rather than a failing.

During discussion, Councillor Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, referred to significant improvements in the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments, rising from 18% to nearly 92% within a year, attributing this to the work of the SEND Improvement Assurance Board.

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

RESOLVED to:

 

a)    Note the report and annexes.

b)    Approve a supplementary estimate request of £0.9m relating to additional election costs and supplementary estimates of £0.5m for Bicester Motion and £2.2m relating to Woodeaton Manor Special School (Annex D paragraph 23).

c)    Approve the write off of 2 corporate debts totalling £50k (Annex D paragraph 26)

d)    Approve the write off of 12 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £270k (Annex D paragraph 29).

e)    Note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block 2025/26 forecast and accumulated deficit position ((Annex D paragraphs 36 - 40).

f)      Approve the updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways (Annex D – Appendix 5)

 

.

 

 

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/052

Key decision

Contact: Jane Billington, Strategic Finance Business Partner

Jane.billington@oxfordshire.gov,uk

 

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA14)

 

Explains the arrangements for funding High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits up to the end of 2025/26 as set out by the Government as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27.

Provides an update on the estimated share of the 2025/26 deficit that will need to be funded by the relevant council(s) when the statutory over-ride ends on 1 April 2028.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a)      Note the update on the treatment of High Needs DSG Deficits up to 31 March 2026 set out in the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27.

b)      Note the changes to High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding and approve the mid and worst case forecast deficits for 2026/27 (paragraph 21 and Table 1).

c)      Note the funding that is planned to be available to meet the residual element that the council will need to fund following the end of the statutory override.

 

Cabinet received a report which explained the arrangements for funding High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits up to the end of 2025/26 as set out by the Government as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27. 

 

The report provided an update on the estimated share of the 2025/26 deficit that will need to be funded by Oxfordshire County Council, or relevant council(s), subject to Local Government Reform, when the statutory over-ride ends on 1 April 2028.  While the government had not provided information about funding beyond 2025/26 at this time, the report set out scenarios showing the estimated share of forecast deficits for 2026/27 and 2027/28 that may need to be funded locally and how those compared to existing planned funding.

 

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation presented the report.

 

Councillor Levy explained that the government would write off 90% of the high needs block deficit, conditional on the Council submitting and having approved a SEND reform plan. The remaining 10% must be funded locally, and there was uncertainty about future arrangements beyond 2026.

Officers were developing a robust SEND reform plan, with support from the Department for Education. The plan's acceptance was crucial for securing the deficit write-off and ensuring ongoing improvements in SEND provision.

The Council had taken a prudent approach by allocating budget to manage the gap between government support and actual SEND expenditure, and had emphasised the importance of maintaining trust and confidence among parents and carers during this period of change.

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

 

RESOLVED to:-

 

a)      Note the update on the treatment of High Needs DSG Deficits up to 31 March 2026 set out in the Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27.

 

b)      Note the changes to High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding and approve the mid and worst case forecast deficits for 2026/27 (paragraph 21 and Table 1).

 

 

c)      Note the funding that is planned to be available to meet the residual element that the council will need to fund following the end of the statutory override.

 

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/028

Key decision

Contact: Natalie Crawford, Capital Programme Manager

Natalie.crawford@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA15)

 

Financial Report on capital spending against budget allocations, including any necessary capital programme approvals

 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a.    Note the capital monitoring position for 2025/26 set out in this report and summarised in Annex 1.

 

b.    Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.

 

Additions to the Capital Programme

 

c.     Approve the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge into the capital programme, with a budget of £8.608m, to be funded from a variety of funding sources.  (see paragraph 65-66)

 

Cabinet had before the fourth capital programme update and monitoring report for 2025/26 which set out the monitoring position based on activity to the end of January 2026.

                                         

The report also updated the Capital Programme approved by Council in February 2026 taking into account additional funding, new budget priorities and new schemes.  The updated programme also incorporated changes agreed through the Capital Programme Approval Reports to Cabinet during the year as well as new funding.

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation presented the report. The Milton Heights Bridge had been added to the capital programme, with funding from Section 106 contributions, Council resources, and retained business rates. The bridge would improve walking and cycling connections and was seen as a key piece of infrastructure for the area. The capital programme also included new schools and classroom expansions in response to population growth, with most funding sourced from Section 106 contributions.

Councillor Levy responded to comments made by a speaker concerning delays and cost overruns in major projects by highlighting examples of projects delivered ahead of schedule and emphasised the complexity of funding and delivery.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a.    Note the capital monitoring position for 2025/26 set out in this report and summarised in Annex 1.

 

b.    Approve the updated Capital Programme at Annex 2 incorporating the changes set out in this report.

 

Additions to the Capital Programme

 

c.    Approve the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge into the capital programme, with a budget of £8.608m, to be funded from a variety of funding sources.  (see paragraph 65-66)

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/057

Non-key decision

Contact: Caroline Coyne, Project Manager (BPSI Team)

Caroline.coyne@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CA11)

 

Oxfordshire County Council’s current household waste recycling centres management contract is in its final extension period and comes to an end on 30th September 2027. A future model for the service delivery is required to be in place and mobilised prior to the expiry of the existing contract. The paper is to approve the preferred model.

 

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

 

a)    Approve the preferred approach to the reprovision of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) management as set out in paragraphs 5 and 31.

 

b)    Authorise Officers to prepare and commence the procurement of a new 8-year HWRC management contract to start on 1 October 2027 (following a mobilisation period) with options to support flexibility in Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). 

 

c)    Endorse exploration and feasibility of the capital purchase of HWRC plant and equipment during the tender bidding, with a view to having an agreed final revenue and capital cost of the contract at the final tender stage.

 

d)    Delegate the decision to award the contract, and any extension to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action.

 

RESOLVED: that the public be excluded for the duration of this item since it is likely that if they were present during that item there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and specified below in relation to those items and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

 

Cabinet had before it a report This document details a proposal for the procurement of a new management contract for Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The contract was intended to cover the management of HWRCs across Oxfordshire for an 8-year period starting 1 October 2027, with flexibility provisions related to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The report includes background information, options appraisal, financial and legal considerations, and outlines key dates for the procurement process.

 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action presented the report.

 

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

 

RESOLVED to:-

 

a)    Approve the preferred approach to the reprovision of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) management as set out in paragraphs 5 and 31.

 

b)    Authorise Officers to prepare and commence the procurement of a new 8-year HWRC management contract to start on 1 October 2027 (following a mobilisation period) with options to support flexibility in Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). 

 

c)    Endorse exploration and feasibility of the capital purchase of HWRC plant and equipment during the tender bidding, with a view to having an agreed final revenue and capital cost of the contract at the final tender stage.

 

d)    Delegate the decision to award the contract, and any extension to that contract to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action.

 

 

 

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/054

Key decision

Contact: Henry White, Operational Manager, Estates and Investment

Henry.white@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

Report by Director of Property and Assets (CA16)

 

The information in the annexes to this report in that it falls within the following prescribed category:

 

3 Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

 

And since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED: that the public be excluded for the duration of this item since it is likely that if they were present during that item there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and specified below in relation to those items and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

 

Cabinet had before it a report on the proposed acquisition of three leases on a property in Oxfordshire to support place shaping and regeneration aligned with its economic ambitions and corporate priorities.

 

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, presented the report. He outlined the financial due diligence undertaken, the expected income return, and the potential for capital appreciation. The acquisition was seen as an opportunity to regenerate a neglected area, improve connectivity, and support the Council's place-shaping ambitions.

 

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

 

RESOLVED to:-

 

a)    Agree to the acquisition of three leases, on the terms set out in exempt Annex 1 and 2.

 

b)    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation  to negotiate and agree the final acquisition terms which will be substantially in accordance with the details set out in exempt Annexes 1,2,3,4 and 5.

 

c)    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Director of Property & Assets and the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, to conclude negotiations and complete all necessary legal documentation (subject to the completion of all due diligence exercises) to implement the acquisition.

 

 

 

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 CA17.  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.

 

The Virtual School

Cabinet noted the response to the Scrutiny item on The Virtual School.