Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Before nominations were invited for the office of Chair of the Council, Mrs Alison Rooke, the retiring Chair, invited Members to reflect on the tragic fire at Bicester Motion which took the lives of firefighters Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and a member of the public, Dave Chester.  Two further firefighters sustained serious injuries and remained in hospital in a stable condition.

The retiring Chair invited the Bishop of Dorchester to share thoughts and prayers.  Following his address a minute’s silence was observed.

The meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes to allow Members to sign books of condolences.

On the resumption, the retiring Chair thanked her husband and Consort, Brian Rooke, for his support during the year.  She also thanked the Democratic Services and Facilities Management Teams, the Monitoring Officer and her Vice-Chair, Councillor Lygo.  It was noted that over £9,200 had been raised for the Chair’s chosen charities over the year, and the retiring Chair thanked all for their support.

The Monitoring Officer invited nominations for the office of Chair of the Council for the 2025/26 Council Year.  Councillor Brighouse moved, and Councillor Leffman seconded that Councillor Mark Lygo be elected as Chair of the Council for the 2025/26 Council Year.  There being no other nominations and no dissent, Councillor Rooke was duly declared elected.

RESOLVED: (unanimously) that Councillor Mark Lygo be elected as Chair for the 2025/26 Council Year.

(Councillor Mark Lygo in the Chair).

The Chair called for nominations for the office of Vice-Chair.

Councillor Walker moved and Councillor Brighouse seconded that Councillor Ted Fenton be elected as Vice-Chair of the Council for the 2025/26 Council Year.  There being no other nominations, Councillor Ted Fenton was duly declared elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the 2025/26 Council Year.

RESOLVED: (unanimously) that Councillor Ted Fenton be elected Vice-Chair for the 2025/26 Council Year.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2025 (CC1) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2025 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillors Cotter, Kerr and Webb.

There were no declarations of interest.

Thirteen firefighters who have served Oxfordshire residents for a combined total of 260 years (20 years each) have been presented with His Majesty The King’s long service and good conduct medals.

In addition, four firefighters with a combined total of 120 years’ service received commemorative clasps and certificates.  The awards were presented by Marjorie Glasgow BEM, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire,

At the Oxfordshire Care Awards, organised by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, Shared Lives carers, Roger and Kym Garnett were named winners of the ‘Long Service’ category. This follows their recognition in our own Shared Lives awards, having committed 27 years to the programme.

Our Community Partnership Team were finalists in the ‘Team’ category having been recognised for the flexible nature of the support they offer.

It was noted that the Chair’s events since the last meeting of Council were listed in the Schedule of Business.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the return of persons elected as Councillors for Oxfordshire County Council on 1 May 2025.

The report was proposed by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair.

RESOLVED (unanimously): to note the return of persons elected as Councillors for Oxfordshire County Council on 1 May 2025.

Members are asked to:

(a)  elect the Leader of the Council;

(b)  note the names, addresses and electoral divisions of the people appointed to the Cabinet by the Leader of the Council for the coming year and their respective portfolios; and

(c)  note the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

The Chair called for nominations for the office of Leader of the Council.

Councillor Fawcett moved and Councillor Graham seconded that Councillor Liz Leffman be elected as Leader of the Council.  There being no other nominations, Councillor Liz Leffman was duly declared elected Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED: (unanimously) that Councillor Liz Leffman be elected Leader of the Council.

Council noted the Leader’s Cabinet appointments.  The detailed portfolios were circulated to Members and published online alongside the Agenda.

Resources and Deputy Leader:  Cllr Neil Fawcett

Future Economy and Innovation:  Cllr Ben Higgins

Children and Young People: Cllr Sean Gaul

Place, Environment and Climate Action: Cllr Judy Roberts

Finance, Property and Transformation: Cllr Dan Levy

Transport Management: Cllr Andrew Gant

Adults: Cllr Tim Bearder

Public Health and Inequalities: Cllr Kate Gregory

Community Wellbeing and Safety: Cllr Jenny Hannaby

A report was before Council on clarification of ‘Opposition Group’ arrangements which was published in the Addenda.

The report was proposed by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair.

Council noted the report on Opposition Arrangements and the Leaders of the Opposition:

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Labour & Cooperative Group

Councillor Liam Walker: Oxfordshire Alliance

The Council is required by the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 to review the political balance on its committees after an election.

Council considered a report required by the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 to review the political balance on its committees after an election.

The report, with amendments from political group leaders to the appointments, was proposed by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair.

The recommendations were agreed.

Council RESOLVED:

a)              To note the review of political balance of committees to reflect the formation of the groups following the Council election on 1 May 2025. 

b)              To appoint members to the committees of the Council as listed at Annex 1 with the following amendments.

Councillor Gareth Epps appointed to the Thames Valley Police & Crime Panel.

On the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Lee Evans will replace Councillor Kieron Mallon

On the Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee:

Councillor Kieron Mallon will replace Councillor Lee Evans

Councillor Emma Garnett appointed to the Oxfordshire County Council & Employers Joint Consultative Committee

Councillor Emma Markham appointed to the Oxfordshire County Council & Uniformed Members of the Fire Service Joint Consultative Committee. 

At its Annual Meeting, Council is required to agree the officer scheme of delegation within the Council's Constitution.

COUNCIL IS RECOMMENDED to amend the Constitution as follows:

a)    approve amendments to Part 7.1: Officers as shown in Annex 1;

b)    approve amendments to Part 7.2: Scheme of Delegation to Officers as shown in Annex 3.

At its Annual Meeting, Council is required to agree the officer scheme of delegation within the Council's Constitution.

The recommendations were moved by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair.  The recommendations were approved with 62 votes in favour, 2 abstentions and no votes against.

RESOLVED: to amend the Constitution as follows:

a)              approve amendments to Part 7.1: Officers as shown in Annex 1;

b)              approve amendments to Part 7.2: Scheme of Delegation to Officers as shown in Annex 3.

To approve a number of general dispensations under the Localism Act 2011.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to

a)           approve, under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011, the general dispensations, listed at paragraph 5 of this report, for all elected and co-opted voting Members of Oxfordshire County Council;

b)           agree that those general dispensations should remain in force for a period of four years;

c)           agree that the granting of individual dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Code of Conduct remains delegated to the Monitoring Officer

Council was asked to approve a number of general dispensations under the Localism Act 2011.

The report was moved by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair.  The recommendations were approved.

RESOLVED to

a)          approve, under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011, the general dispensations, listed at paragraph 5 of this report, for all elected and co-opted voting Members of Oxfordshire County Council;

b)          agree that those general dispensations should remain in force for a period of four years;

c)          agree that the granting of individual dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Code of Conduct remains delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

The Annual Report sets out the role of the Audit & Governance Committee and summarises the work that has been undertaken both as a Committee and through the support of the Audit Working Group in 2024/25.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to note the contents of the Annual Report of the Audit & Governance Committee 2024/25.

Council received the Annual Report of the Audit & Governance Committee setting out the role and summarising the work that has been undertaken both as a Committee and through the support of the Audit Working Group in 2024/25.

The report was proposed by Councillor Ted Fenton and seconded by Councillor Roz Smith, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee for the 2024/25 Council Year.

Council noted the report.

Provided here for information.  The original calendar of dates was decided at the Council meeting on 5 November 2024.  A number of committees have made changes since which are highlighted. 

Council noted the meeting dates.