Agenda item

Report from the Leader of the Council.

The report summarises the decisions from the Cabinet meeting on 15 July 2025.

Council received the report of Cabinet covering its meeting for 15 July 2025.

On Item 1 Community Banking Hubs Motion

Councillor Fry asked that the British Banking Association and the Post Office be contacted to create badly needed joint community hubs. Councillor Fawcett responded that he concurred and would take the process forward and further responded that the system was too restrictive and a more flexible approach was needed to provide more help in more places.

Councillor Barlow asked that to make banking more accessible and to achieve climate change targets that residents be directed towards banks that prioritise climate performance. Councillor Fawcett responded that there was a limit to the role of the Council in this regard and that ultimately it was the decision of residents in terms of choice of banks. The councillor further responded that the proposal would nevertheless be given due consideration.

Councillor Middleton asked that a letter be written to Barclays to urge them to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the Exeter Hall banking hub, which also represented a disregard for customer needs. Councillor Fawcett responded that, if the contact details were provided, he will look into the matter, and that it was unfortunate that banks were not engaging with banking hubs.

Councillor Smith asked if an assurance can be given that urban areas like Headington and Quarry will also receive attention in terms of available banks and noted that the post office was also due to close. Councillor Fawcett provided reassurance that all communities where the services were disappearing would be given due attention.

On Item 3 EOTAS Policy (Education other than at School)

Councillor Filipova-Rivers asked that clarity be provided on the delivery of Education Other Than At School (EOTAS)policy and guidance. Councillor Gaul responded that a coproduced policy had been approved. He added that the EOTAS guidance was being reviewed by relevant groups, including carers and parents, and would be approved when ready.

On Item 4 Financial and land agreements relating to the conversion of Woodeaton Manor School to an academy

Councillor Hope-Smith enquired about steps to enhance the coproduction process, citing parental concerns about its effectiveness. Councillor Gaul responded that coproduction created a challenge due to its legislative and statutory nature and would welcome any Member that would be interested in the coproduction discussions currently being held.

On Item 5 Climate Action Programme update

Councillor Fry asked that the PM 2.5 (particulate matter up to 2.5 micro-metres) emissions be included in the future climate outcomes dashboard. Councillor Roberts said that the matter would be considered.

Councillor McLauchlan asked that in relation to the Climate Action programme, it would be useful to have regular updates on how the circular economy was being applied. Councillor Roberts agreed.

Councillor Lugova asked that an outline be provided of what will be included in the new Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (MWDS) to ensure that Oxfordshire was not only leading in this respect but can also achieve the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. Councillor Roberts responded that Oxfordshire would become a member of the 100-Action Group across the UK and that Oxfordshire was already performing well.

Councillor Barlow asked if information could be sent showing if the recycling rates were increasing or decreasing as of the last council in July. Councillor Roberts responded that the recycling rates were complex, due to the fact that as people waste less, less was recycled.

Councillor Malik asked that, with most of the congestion occurring in Oxford Road and Church Cowley Road, cleaner air needs to be ensured in those areas. Councillor Roberts responded that a website was in place that allowed any individual to determine their carbon footprint and how they could improve it.

On Item 6 Update on Process of Producing the Minerals and Waste Local Plan

Councillor Fry asked, with the plan making system to be implemented this year, if the relevant secondary legislation was in place to ensure that work can resume on the work plan. Councillor Roberts responded that it was still awaited from national government.

On Item 7 Treasury Management 2024/25 Outturn

Councillor Phillips asked about the continuation of the Oxfordshire Green Bond and the assessment of its launch. Councillor Levy responded that it was a success, and it was oversubscribed. He added that the £500,000 that was raised was used to further the identified green projects.

Councillor Rawlins asked what impact would cuts to public expenditure have on the preparation of the budget and the scope for revenue expenditure considering the central government budget would be presented only in November 2025. Councillor Levy responded that the county council had written to MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), and that the settlement would be announced late in December, which was after the budget. He added that the fair funding review had also been delayed. The process was therefore in flux.

On Item 8 Budget & Business Planning 2026/27 - Fair Funding Review 2.0

Councillor Phillips asked what amount was being held back in reserves to meet the changes in national government funding and would the Cabinet’s response to the consultation question be published as part of the budget papers. Councillor Levy responded by confirming that the consultation question would be published subject to guidance of the Section 151 officer. Additionally, the councillor stated that Oxfordshire maintained robust financial reserves.

Councillor Epps asked that a letter be written to MHCLG and the Treasury to detail the impact that the national government delays would have on county council staff. Councillor Levy responded that senior officers were in consultation with national government and the relevant bodies.

On Item 9 Business Management & Monitoring Report - Revenue Update and Monitoring Report

Councillor Phillips asked if the Council would be updated on the current position in relation to saving targets being met. Councillor Levy responded that the next cabinet report would contain that information and would be made public. The councillor said the county council was exceeding its budget expectations.

On Item 10 Capital Programme Monitoring Report

Councillor Middleton asked, with the spiralling costs associated with major road building, what were the cost implications of such projects. Councillor Levy responded that the capital reports to Cabinet indicated where the capital schemes were proceeding and the cost of those schemes.

Councillor Gregory asked if schooling support would be provided consistently for children under five in all parts of the county. Councillor Levy responded that the county council was not responsible for this area and could not therefore make any guarantees. Further, the councillor responded that the Council was supportive of nursery education and that St Joseph’s, Thame, for example, was paid for from Section 106 funds.

On Item 11 Proposed response to the 2025 Oxfordshire Travel and Transport Citizens' Assembly

Councillor Fry asked for an indication of the annual costs of implementing the Citizens’ Assembly’s request for free transport for young children and young adults. Councillor Gant said bus pricing was complex and that operators would be asked for more information.

Councillor Pressel asked about the absence of timescales on the Citizens’ Assembly’s four accepted recommendations. Councillor Gant responded that he would look into that matter.

Councillor Brighouse asked that free bus travel be made a priority for the poorest children and their families. Councillor Gant responded that all the Council’s policies worked together to ensure that such priorities were acted upon.

Councillor Kerr asked how the on-going involvement of the Citizens’ Assembly is likely to work. Councillor Gant responded that members of the Citizens’ Assembly expressed their willingness to stay involved which was positive but it was not yet clear what form that would take.

Councillor Ley asked about the comments made by the Leader of the Conservative group to the media, that he would expect his Members to claim the congestion charge on expenses. Councillor Gant responded that the comment should be reversed.  He added that he hoped the Council policy on expenses could be amended to prevent it.

Councillor Malik asked the reason for the lack of diversity in the Citizens’ Assembly. Councillor Gant responded that the composition was undertaken by a third party according to best industry practice and he was satisfied that the job was done professionally.

Councillor Henwood asked why the Citizens’ Assembly meeting on 16 July 2025 only included the steering group. Councillor Gant was unaware of the details being mentioned and would seek further information.

On Item 12 Future Civil Enforcement Contract Models

Councillor Pressel inquired about the procurement process for a contract related to parking enforcement and requested clarification on why a comparable system was not being used for the digital parking permits scheme. Councillor Gant responded that the permits system would be looked at.

Councillor Coles asked that the high standards achieved by the parking enforcement team in Witney not be compromised due to retention and recruitment challenges. Councillor Gant responded that he was grateful for the acknowledgement of the parking enforcement team’s work and added that the contracts were being designed to increase the number of officers. The councillor further responded that he guaranteed there would be more and better enforcement.

Councillor Middleton asked that enforcement across Cherwell be improved. Councillor Gant responded that it was the intention to increase enforcement and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system was designed to allow local authorities to ensure traffic enforcement was applied more efficiently.

Councillor Smith asked for assurance that the new contract would address the misuse of business parking permits. Councillor Gant stated that the matter would be reviewed.

Councillor Malik asked for assurance that after the contract was finalised that there would be some enforcement in his area. Councillor Gant responded that there was enforcement and he would like even more.