Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Judith Edwards.

- guidance note below

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2026 (CA3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 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

Rita Atkinson

Greg O’Broin

Bernadette Evans

Fraser Jones

Geoff Sutton

Cllr Liz Brighouse OBE

8 – SEND Reform Plan

Cllr Liz Brighouse OBE

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/100

Non-key decision

Contact: Tom Hudson, Scrutiny Manager

Tom.hudson@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer (CA6)

To confirm the Cabinet's appointments for the civic year 2026/27.

The Cabinet is recommended to AGREE the appointments set out in the annex to the report

Cabinet had before it a report regarding the appointments of members to various bodies for the year 2026/27 that supported the Council’s executive functions. It outlined the categories of bodies for which appointments are to be made and the legal and financial context of these appointments.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of the Council, presented the report and added that a vacancy remained on the Schools Organisation Stakeholder Group.

Councillor Fawcett moved and Councillor Bearder seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to agree the appointments set out in the annex to the report.

Cabinet will receive the following Scrutiny reports:-

Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on Customer Service Centre Update

Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Reports on:-

a)    Minerals and Waste Planning

b)    School Streets

c)    Bus Services and Rural Transport (including Mobility Hubs)

d)    Temporary Congestion Charge Scheme Monitoring

e)    Unauthorised Waste Site near Kidlington: Interim Report

Cllr Glynis Phillips, Chair of the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the report on Customer Service Centre Update.

Cllr Liam Walker, Chair, to present the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Reports on:-

a)    Minerals and Waste Planning

b)    School Streets

c)    Bus Services and Rural Transport (including Mobility Hubs)

d)    Temporary Congestion Charge Scheme Monitoring

e)    Unauthorised Waste Site near Kidlington: Interim Report

Cabinet received the reports and will respond in due course.

Cabinet Member: Children and Young People

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/107

Key decision

Contact: Anna Jennings, Head of Transformation

Anna.Jennings@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Children’s Services (CA8)

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Approve the draft special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan for Oxfordshire to support submission to the Department of Education by 19^th June.

b)    Delegate authority for delivery of the SEND reform plan, subject to business cases and appropriate governance for specific initiatives, to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer, overseen by the SEND Executive and Local Area Partnership.

c)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to make any necessary minor amendments to the SEND reform plan prior to the final submission deadline to the Department of Education.

d)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to utilise Year 1 of the Experts at Hand Department of Education grant in line with the direction outlined in this report. This will include recruitment of roles required and through procuring external services in accordance with the grant conditions and Procurement Regulations 2024

Cabinet had before it a report which gave details of the Council’s draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform plan, which needed be submitted to the Department for Education by 19 June 2026. The plan aimed to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND while addressing financial sustainability, particularly the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report. He thanked officers in the Children’s Services for their hard work in producing the SEND Reform Plan.

Members noted that the plan focused on strengthening early intervention, increasing inclusion within mainstream settings and reducing reliance on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The development of the plan had involved engagement with education and health partners, as well as parent carer representatives, and would be subject to regular review. It was further noted that delivery arrangements included delegated authority for implementation and minor amendments, supported by established governance structures.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Approve the draft special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan for Oxfordshire to support submission to the Department of Education by 19^th June.

b)    Delegate authority for delivery of the SEND reform plan, subject to business cases and appropriate governance for specific initiatives, to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer, overseen by the SEND Executive and Local Area Partnership.

c)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to make any necessary minor amendments to the SEND reform plan prior to the final submission deadline to the Department of Education.

d)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to utilise Year 1 of the Experts at Hand Department of Education grant in line with the direction outlined in this report. This will include recruitment of roles required and through procuring external services in accordance with the grant conditions and Procurement Regulations 2024

Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/102

Key decision

Contact: Andy Lederer, Principal Officer - Arboriculture

andy.lederer@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CA9)

Seeking Cabinet approval for award of Tree Care Framework.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    approve the use of a Tree Care Framework Contract model to deliver planned and responsive tree management activity for trees within the county council’s responsibility as highway authority and property owner.

b)    To delegate the award of the contract, and any future extensions, to Director of Environment & Highways in consultation with Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair

Cabinet received a report which outlined the need for a Tree Care Framework Contract and set out the approach undertaken to secure the best mechanism and value for money provision to deliver service requirements.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, presented the report.

Members noted that the framework would cover the management of approximately 400,000 trees across highways and other Council-owned land, enabling a structured inspection regime and improved responsiveness to maintenance requirements. The procurement process had attracted significant interest, with multiple contractors applying, and that the framework would support more localised and efficient delivery of services.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a)    approve the use of a Tree Care Framework Contract model to deliver planned and responsive tree management activity for trees within the county council’s responsibility as highway authority and property owner.

b)    To delegate the award of the contract, and any future extensions, to Director of Environment & Highways in consultation with Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair

Cabinet Member: Resources and Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/081

Non-key decision

Contact: Nathan Phillips, Data and Insight Team Manager

Nathan.phillips@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of HR and Culture Change (CA10)

Quarterly staffing report providing details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

Cabinet had before it a report summarising the Quarter 4 (Q4) 2025/26 workforce performance against the Our People and Culture Strategy and highlighting the main employee trends across the last four quarters of 2025/26.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Human Resources.

Members noted that overall workforce levels remained stable and that staff turnover had decreased, alongside improvements in recruitment processes, including reductions in time to hire. The report also highlighted ongoing work to expand apprenticeship opportunities and increase placements for care leavers, with a clear target for delivery.

Councillor Fawcett moved and Councillor Gegory seconded the recommendation, and it was approved.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/029

Key decision

Contact: Verity Royle, Planning and Reporting Manager

Verity.royle@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CA11)

To note the report and agree the recommendations

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Note the report and annexes;

Annex A Performance – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex B Exceptions – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex C – Complaints and FOI’s

Annex D – Provisional financial year end position 2025/26

Annex E – Annual report

b)    Note the summary of the provisional year - end financial position for 2025/26 along with the year-end position on general balances and earmarked reserves as explained in Annex D.

c)    Reserves:

              i.     Approve an £8.0m additional contribution to High Needs DSG risk reserve in 2025/26 (ahead of submission of the SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education).  The balance held in the reserve will be considered as part of the budget process for 2027/28 (Annex D Para 116 -118).

            ii.     Approve that the £2.7m 2025/26 On-Street Parking Account surplus, that has not yet been applied to fund eligible expenditure in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is held in reserves and carried forward for use in future years as set out in Annex D Appendix 4c (Annex D Para 116, 119).

           iii.     Approve the creation of a Congestion Charge Reserve, and contribution of £1.4m, to hold and support funding for the ongoing operation of the scheme as well as investments set out in the report to Cabinet in May 2026 (Annex D Para 116, 120).

           iv.     Approve a £0.8m contribution to the Budget Priorities reserve to support Education SEND (Annex D Para 121 - 122).

Cabinet received a report which presented details of the County Council’s performance, strategic risks, and provisional financial outturn for the year 2025/26, providing insights into service delivery, risk management, and budgetary outcomes.

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

Members noted that financial pressures across service areas had been managed within the overall budget through the use of contingencies and higher than anticipated interest income.

The report also set out proposals for additional contributions to reserves, including those relating to high needs, congestion charge and future budget priorities.

In respect of performance, the report indicated that just over half of performance indicators were on track, with continued demand pressures across services and a requirement for further savings in the medium term.

Cabinet also considered the strategic risks facing the Council, including financial resilience and SEND-related pressures.

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

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Note the report and annexes;

Annex A Performance – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex B Exceptions – Quarter 4 2025-26

Annex C – Complaints and FOI’s

Annex D – Provisional financial year end position 2025/26

Annex E – Annual report

b)    Note the summary of the provisional year - end financial position for 2025/26 along with the year-end position on general balances and earmarked reserves as explained in Annex D.

c)    Reserves:

              i.     Approve an £8.0m additional contribution to High Needs DSG risk reserve in 2025/26 (ahead of submission of the SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education).  The balance held in the reserve will be considered as part of the budget process for 2027/28 (Annex D Para 116 -118).

            ii.     Approve that the £2.7m 2025/26 On-Street Parking Account surplus, that has not yet been applied to fund eligible expenditure in accordance with Section 55(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is held in reserves and carried forward for use in future years as set out in Annex D Appendix 4c (Annex D Para 116, 119).

           iii.     Approve the creation of a Congestion Charge Reserve, and contribution of £1.4m, to hold and support funding for the ongoing operation of the scheme as well as investments set out in the report to Cabinet in May 2026 (Annex D Para 116, 120).

           iv.     Approve a £0.8m contribution to the Budget Priorities reserve to support Education SEND (Annex D Para 121 - 122).

Cabinet Member: Finance, Property and Transformation

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/043

Key decision

Contact: Natalie Crawford, Capital Programme Manager

Natalie.crawford@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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

To note the performance against the capital programme for 2025/26 as set out in the report.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Note performance against the Capital Programme for 2025/26.

b)    Note the Capital Programme Provisional Outturn Summary for 2025/26

Annex 1a: Strategy Programmes Expenditure

Annex 1b: Capital Financing

Annex 1c: Strategy / Programme Level Reporting during the year

Cabinet had before it a detailed report on the Capital Programme Outturn for the financial year 2025/26, It reviewed the performance against the Council’s ten-year Capital Programme, comparing actual expenditure to the original and updated budgets, and provided insights into funding sources, project progress, and risk management related to capital investments.

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

Members noted that total capital expenditure amounted to £231.3 million, with variations arising from the reprofiling of major programmes into future years.

Cabinet highlighted the positive impact of capital investment on communities, including the delivery of new school places, improvements to transport infrastructure and progress on major schemes.

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

RESSOLVED to:

a)    Note performance against the Capital Programme for 2025/26.

b)    Note the Capital Programme Provisional Outturn Summary for 2025/26

Annex 1a: Strategy Programmes Expenditure

Annex 1b: Capital Financing

Annex 1c: Strategy / Programme Level Reporting during the year

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 CA13.  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.

Repair of defects and superusers

Cabinet noted the response to the following Scrutiny item:-

Repair of defects and superusers