Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and temporary appointments.

There were none.

See guidance note on the back page.

There were none.

The Committee is recommended to APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 23 April, 2025, and also the one held on 20 May, 2025, and to receive information arising from them.

The Committee APRROVED the minutes of the 23 April 2025, and 20 May 2025, meetings as a true and accurate record. 

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.

Applications to speak must be submitted no later than 9.00 a.m. three working days before the meeting, i.e. Friday, 20 June, 2025.

Requests should be submitted to the Scrutiny Officer at scrutiny@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 9.00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than one A4 sheet.

Where there are a number of requests from persons wishing to present similar views on the same issue, the Chair may require that the views be put by a single spokesperson. It is expected that only in exceptional circumstances will a person (or organisation) be allowed to address more than one meeting on a particular issue in any period of six months.

Robin Tucker, from the Coalition of Health Streets and Active Travel, raised concerns about road safety in Oxfordshire, highlighting issues noted in the Police and Crime Justice Plan.  

Peter Barnett questioned frequent conclusions that no traffic issues were identified at fatal road incidents. 

The following two public speakers spoke before agenda item 6, at the Chairs discretion. 

Robin Tucker, from the Coalition of Health Streets and Active Travel, emphasised the need for effective communication of the Citizens Assembly's vision and recommendations, advocating for public and active transport improvements. He stressed the importance of engaging the wider community in designing a future transport system. 

Danny Yee highlighted the need for a positive vision for low traffic Oxford and cooperation between county and city policies, including restricting car use and prioritising active travel. 

All public addresses can be found appendedas submitted. 

As part of its Crime and Disorder Panel responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009, the Committee has invited Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley to attend, as well as the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg, and Chief Superintendent Benedict Clark, Local Command Unit Commander for Oxfordshire.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has provided his annual report reporting on progress made against the Police and Criminal Justice Plan.

Also attached is a presentation from the Chief Constable and the Chief Superintendent.

Having considered the reports and asked questions, the Committee is recommended to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Thames Valley Police or to the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner.

As part of its Crime and Disorder Panel responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009, the Committee invited Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley to attend, as well as the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg, and Chief Superintendent Benedict Clark, Local Command Unit Commander for Oxfordshire. 

Cllr Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport, and Paul Fermer, Director for Environment and Highways, also attended. 

The Commissioner briefly highlighted key issues, including police officer numbers, which had increased significantly, particularly in neighbourhood policing. He mentioned improvements in 101 performance and the success of the DISC app in tackling shoplifting. The Commissioner noted reductions in rural crime and the establishment of a road safety partnership. He discussed the progress in CCTV partnerships and the financial challenges faced due to the comprehensive spending review. 

The Chief Constable reported the highest number of police officers ever, despite financial challenges. He highlighted the restructuring of the force from 12 local command units to five, improving resilience and performance. The Chief Constable noted improvements in crime-solving metrics, reductions in knife crime, and neighbourhood crime. He emphasised the importance of public confidence and the need for a joint plan to address road safety concerns. 

The Chief Superintendent reported on the successful performance of his team post-restructure, with high victim satisfaction rates and improved crime-solving metrics. He discussed the focus on retail crime and the flexibility to respond to local issues. The Chief Superintendent highlighted the importance of partnership engagements and the need to improve response times to domestic abuse calls. He addressed the Oxfordshire paradox, where low crime rates did not correlate with public confidence, and the need to improve visibility and communication. 

In discussion with the Committee, the following areas were explored: 
 
Fatality rates on strategic roads, such as the A34 and the A40 neither of which are Council responsibilities.  The Commissioner and the Chief Constable agreed that better data collection and analysis were needed to understand the causality of road incidents.  A working group was being established by the Commissioner to consider this. 

Social media reports of items like sausage rolls being locked up to prevent theft. The Commissioner explained the use of the DISC app, which allowed retailers to report theft and share intelligence, leading to increased charges and better prevention.  

Collaboration between the police and trading standards in targeting shops, particularly in relation to the new legislation on vapes. The Chief Superintendent noted that TVP were already working in partnership with community safety partnerships and trading standards to address issues such as illegal goods in retail premises. 

The allocation of financial resources for road safety and how it fits into the wider strategic planning of the police force. The Commissioner estimated that road safety accounted for approximately 5% to 6% of the overall force budget, explaining that the allocation was based on strategic priorities, public concerns, and professional judgement rather than a fixed percentage. Operation Tutelage, which targeted uninsured drivers, and other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/25

At its meeting on 23 April 2025, the Committee agreed to the formal request of Cabinet of 25 March 2025 to “consider the council’s response to the assembly recommendations, prior to approval by Cabinet in July 2025.”

The Committee has invited Cllr Andrew Gant, Cabinet member for Transport Management, and Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment, and Climate Action, to present the report. 

The Committee has also extended invitations to Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, and Susannah Wintersgill, Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Partnerships, to answer the Committee’s questions and to Carole Stow, Engagement Consultation Manager, Victoria Powell, Communications and Engagement Manager (Strategic Programmes), as well as Hannah Battye, Head of Place Shaping, Joanne Fellowes, Place Planning Manager (Central), and Melissa Goodacre, Sustainable Transport Manager.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Report to follow

At the Chair’s discretion the second two public addresses were taken at this stage. 

The Committee welcomed Cllr Andrew Gant, Cabinet member for Transport 

Management, and Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment, and 

Climate Action, to present the report to the Committee. 

The Committee also invited Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, Susannah Wintersgill, Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Partnerships, Carole Stow, Engagement Consultation Manager, Victoria Powell, Communications and Engagement Manager (Strategic Programmes), as well as Hannah Battye, Head of Place Shaping, Joanne Fellowes, Place Planning Manager (Central), Melissa Goodacre, Sustainable Transport Manager, and Susan Ritchie, Director of Mutual Gain, to answer the Committee’s questions. 

Members queried how the Council would motivate behaviour change and the Cabinet member for Transport Management stressed promoting a vision to the public and facilitating convenient choices for the county. He highlighted that people already decided on travel based on various factors, so the goal was to provide additional information. The Cabinet member for Place, Environment, and Climate Action suggested focusing on informing and nudging rather than preaching. The Council had been conducting travel campaigns and launched the Better Travel website to encourage active travel options. 

Members inquired about metrics for evaluating fare-free park and ride trials and how mobility hubs would integrate with transport and land use plans. The Cabinet Member for Transport Management and the Director of Environment and Highways explained that while the Council was keen on utilising park and ride assets, specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) had yet to be defined. They emphasised the need to break down recommendations into work streams and actions to measure success. The Head of Place Shaping noted that a park and ride strategy was being developed and was to align with current initiatives, including integrating mobility hubs with existing plans. 

The Committee inquired about the usefulness of the Citizens Assembly for officers and its potential repetition. The Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action found the session insightful, particularly regarding bus fare challenges for children, aligning with long-term transport plans. The Director of Environment and Highways and the Head of Place Shaping both emphasised the Assembly's value in providing diverse perspectives that enhance policy decisions. They planned to continue engaging with the Assembly and have funding for future initiatives. 

The Committee inquired about how the Citizens Assembly shaped the communication strategy and influenced participants. The Director of Mutual Gain stated that the Assembly did not use Council promotional material but provided essential travel plans and mobility hub information. Participants valued the balanced, objective approach that included opposing views. The Director of Public Affairs noted that the Assembly was conducted objectively, which kept participants engaged and interested in further involvement. 

The Director of Environment and Highways acknowledged the importance of improving communication strategies based on the insights gained from the Citizens Assembly. He emphasised the need to enhance their communication efforts to bring people along and effectively change behaviour through marketing and communication activities. 

The Committee enquired about monitoring the implementation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29/25

The Committee is recommended to AGREE its work programme for forthcoming meetings, having heard any changes from previous iterations, and taking account of the Cabinet Forward Plan and of the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

The Cabinet Forward Plan can be found here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=433&RP=115

The most recent BMMR, submitted to Cabinet in March 2025, can be found here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=115&MId=7477&Ver=4

The Committee AGREED to receive Future Bus Regulation, Verge and Vegetation, and City Centre Strategy items at the September meeting. 

The Committee provided clarity about what they hoped to be included in the Verge and Vegetation item. The Committee also requested that freight, as well as passenger rail, would be included in the Rail Strategy item. 

The Scrutiny Manager updated the Committee on ongoing discussions about the most suitable Committee for Local Government Reorganisation. 

The Committee AGREED to the extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 27 August 2025, to discuss the congestion charge. 

The Director of Environment and Highways suggested that the Committee could consider the Part Night Lighting strategy after the consultation on the same.  He also advised that a profitable item for the Committee’s work programme would involve collaboration between the Council, TVP and Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Services on Vision Zero and road safety initiatives. 

The Cabinet Member for Place, Environment, and Climate Action updated the Committee that the S.106 Dashboard was going live the next day. 

The Committee is recommended to NOTE the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from previous meetings, having raised any questions on the contents.

The update to the Committee's recommendations on Vision Zero are appended as an annexe to the tracker.

The Committee NOTED the Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker, and the written update on the Vision Zero project. 

Attached is the Cabinet response to the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on Network Management. The Committee is asked to NOTE the response.

The Committee NOTED the Cabinet response to the Committee’s recommendations on the Network Management report.