Agenda item

Report from the Leader of the Council.

The report summarises the decisions from the Cabinet meetings on 20 March 2025, 25 March 2025, 22 April 2025 and 17 June 2025.

Council received the report of Cabinet covering its meetings on 20 March 2025, 25 March 2025, 22 April 2025 and 17 June 2025.

On Item 1, Councillors Baines and Middleton asked about comparisons being made between the three proposed reorganisation models.  Councillor Leffman responded that this was being discussed by Chief Executives to ensure that the same data sets were used and to ensure that service users would not be disadvantaged by the reorganisation.

Councillor Phillips asked if an all-Member briefing was being planned on the government’s proposals for fairer funding.  Councillor Leffman confirmed that all Members would be briefed once it was known what the proposals were.

On Item 2, Councillor Phillips asked about the target for reduction of agency spend.  Councillor Fawcett responded that it would become harder to reduce over time and that there would be a minimum level required to support certain projects and provide cover for leave.

Councillor Smith asked about the Council’s record with apprenticeships.  Councillor Fawcett responded that it had been a real success story with a high proportion of the apprenticeship levy being drawn down.  Officers were exploring other potential ways of increasing the numbers of apprenticeships, particularly targeting disadvantaged groups.

On Item 4, Councillors Brighouse and Baines asked about proposals around part-night lighting. Councillor Brighouse cited concerns of the Children’s Commissioner.  She asked that all evidence be properly considered.  Councillor Baines asked if there was any part of Oxford where this policy might be applied.  Councillor Roberts responded that the consultation on this had just finished.  Some rural parishes had proposed it for environmental reasons.  If area committees believe it would not be safe in their area then they will not request it.  The issue had been moved to the Transport Management portfolio and she was certain that Councillor Gant would take all the views from the consultation into consideration.

On Item 5, Councillor Baines asked about progress in seeking alternative sources of finance for capital projects.  Councillor Levy responded that he would provide a written answer.

On Item 6, Councillor Baines asked what conversations have taken place around the disparities in High Needs Block funding per pupil across different councils with Oxfordshire receiving a much lower amount than neighbouring councils.  Councillor Brighouse noted that the deficit had doubled in one year and asked for a breakdown of the figures.  Councillor Levy responded that officers have been engaged in discussions on this disparities point.  He was disappointed that the government had continued to defer a solution to the funding problem.  He agreed to provide a breakdown of the figures.

On Item 7, Councillor Baines asked for an update on the proposal to open the Cowley Branch Line given the government’s increase in funding towards development of railways.  Councillor Levy responded that increased funding was welcome and might support a number of schemes around the county.  He agreed to provide a written response on the Cowley Branch proposals.

Councillor Middleton noted the provision of extra funding for the development of Speedwell House and asked for information as to the reasons for that.  Councillor Levy responded that the costs of the development were covered by the sale of County Hall.

On Item 8, Councillor Fry asked when progress would be made on the provision of pavement charging facilities.  Councillor Levy agreed to provide a written response.

On Item 9, Councillor Baines asked if consideration had been given to using some of the higher than expected return in the parking account to improve the staff offer and recruit more officers for enforcement.  Councillor Levy responded that he would consider the suggestion but had concerns about using funds from fines as core income.

Councillor Barlow asked if recycling rates were increasing or decreasing.  Councillor Levy agreed to provide a written response.

On Item 10, Councillor Baines asked about the risks associated with the seven year backlog in bridge inspections.  Councillor Levy responded that Councillor Gant would ensure that bridge inspections were proceeded with as quickly as possible.

Councillor Fry asked if past over-optimism in forecasts on the delivery of capital projects could be factored in to better inform future forecasts.  Councillor Levy confirmed that officers were working on improving forecasts in this matter.

Councillor Barlow asked if the council’s climate plan influenced investment strategy to ensure minimising carbon emissions.  Councillor Levy responded that carbon efficiency was embedded in everything that the council does.

On Item 11, Councillor Fry asked if any unspent funds from the £6m committed in February last year to easing congestion would be spent in Oxford City.  Councillor Levy responded that he would not commit to spending funds in certain areas of the county.

On Item 12, Councillor Baines asked why funds had been transferred from the Traffic Congestion Improvement Fund to pay for the temporary congestion charge plans given that extra funds were available from underspending in some areas and additional interest on reserves.  Councillor Levy responded that capital funds were regularly moved around depending on timing of projects within the financial year.

Councillor Saul noted that extra funds had been allocated for signage on the A40 Access to Witney Scheme and asked were the costs of signage not factored in at the start.  Councillor Levy confirmed that they were but there was a cost overrun on signage for what was a complicated junction.

Councillor Brighouse noted that money had been allocated many years ago to improve the Corner House junction in her division and asked if that money could be put back into the local community.  Councillor Levy responded that the junction had been improved but more work needed to be done.

Councillor Barlow asked if the Access to Witney Scheme might result in inducing an increase in traffic overall.  Councillor Levy responded that it was unlikely to do so but that the key aspect was that it would reduce traffic in the centre of Witney.

On Item 12, Councillor Pressel asked about the cost of living programme and asked if some of the £6m could be given to food banks to help feed disadvantaged families.  Councillor Gregory thanked her for the suggestion and said she would discuss it with officers.

Councillor Cherry asked if areas of deprivation were taken into account in planning the council’s cost of living measures.  Councillor Gregory confirmed that the plans were data-driven to ensure that low income households were being targeted.

Councillor Edosomwan asked about the eight week pilot at Oxford Academy providing healthy snacks for pupils and if it was planned to extend it.  Councillor Gregory responded that 51% of pupils reported better concentration and suspensions were down 70% in that period.  Pupils were also able to spend their snack money on a better lunch instead.  Officers were reviewing the findings and considering options going forward.

Councillor Middleton asked if there were any plans to provide extra support following government welfare cuts, particularly for those relying on Personal Independence Payments and other disability benefits.  Councillor Gregory responded that those affected by the cuts can apply to the Resident Support Scheme.

Councillor Fry asked what more could be done to reach those most likely to be in need who might not attend advice centres or be aware of the cost of living programme.  Councillor Gregory responded that the council worked with district councils and other organisations to get to the hard-to-reach households.

On Item 13, Councillor Baines ask why the temporary congestion charge was not put to the Citizens’ Assembly for discussion.  Councillor Gant responded that the proposal did not exist at the time of the assembly but arose from Network Rail’s announcement of the continued Botley Road closure and appeals from bus companies to take action as a result.

Councillor Brighouse asked why the remit for the Citizens’ Assembly was extended to include the whole of Oxfordshire when the original proposal was for it to deal with the Central Oxfordshire area.  Councillor Gant responded that it was a matter of record that this was how the advisory board decided to proceed in order to deal with all the issues affecting the residents of Oxfordshire.