Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive communications from the Chair and/or the Leader of the Council.

Remembrance Day

The Chair advised that Members and staff were invited to assemble in the Council Chamber on Tuesday 11 November at 10:30am.

Councillor Pattenden would deliver a call to order and introduction. Community Liaison Team Leader, Michal Gogut, would talk about his involvement in the reservists, including his squadron's role in the Second World War.

At 11am, an air horn would mark the beginning of a two-minute silence. The air horn would sound again at two minutes past eleven. Councillor Pattenden will conclude by reading the Kohima Epitaph.

Cllr Reeves

Following on from Councillor Mallon at our last Council meeting, on behalf of Council, the Chair congratulated to Councillor Reeves and his wife on the recent arrival of their daughter.

Chair’s Charity Lunch

The Chair referred to correspondence that had been sent to Members regarding her charity lunch, which was taking place on 30 November. The Chair commented she looked forward to seeing as many Members as possible at the lunch, which would raise funds for her charities, Homeless Oxfordshire and Asylum Welcome. 

Meeting Etiquette

The Chair reminded Members that all requests to address the meeting should be through the Chair. Members should remain in their seat during items and, if needed, she would adjourn the meeting to allow for a comfort break at a suitable point.

Members’ Pigeon Holes

Members were reminded to check their pigeon hole and take any post.

The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.

Addresses may be presented by:

·       A Local Government elector for the area,

·       A person who is wholly or mainly resident in the area,

·       A Council Taxpayer or National Non-Domestic Ratepayer for the area

Addresses must be on an item on the agenda before the meeting and not exceed 5 minutes. No person may address more than one meeting on any particular issue.

Requests to address the meeting (including the agenda item and reason for the address) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk  The deadline for requests to address this meeting is noon on Friday 7 November 2025.  

Full details of public participation at meetings are available in the Constitution.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

Report of Executive Director of Resources

Purpose of report

This report summarises the council’s Full Proposal for LGR in Oxfordshire which is due to be submitted to the Government on 28 November 2025 subject to Executive approval (Special Executive, 13 November 2025). The Full Proposal makes the case for two unitary councils underpinned by a robust options appraisal and thorough financial analysis. Two unitary councils will help ensure the future of local government in Oxfordshire is cost effective, simplified and strengthened whilst unlocking further devolution for the county. Council is invited to debate the matters within the report and provide comments to Executive for their consideration.

Recommendations

Full Council is asked to:

1.1           Consider the Executive report of 13 November 2025 (attached including the full proposal) and provide any comments for the Executive to consider.

1.2           Note that the Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its meeting on 13 November, and in doing so, endorse Option 2:

·        A two-unitary model comprising:

o   One unitary authority covering the boundaries of Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Oxford City Council, with the working title ‘Oxford & Shires’.

o   A second unitary authority covering South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council, with the working title ‘Ridgeway’.

Resolved

(1)            That the Executive report of 13 November 2025 be noted and the comments be provided for Executive to consider (a separate supplement to be publish containing comments from Council to Executive).

(2)            That it be noted that Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its meeting on 13 November, and in doing so, endorse Option 2: A two-unitary model comprising: One unitary authority covering the boundaries of Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Oxford City Council, with the working title ‘Oxford & Shires’; and a second unitary authority covering South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council, with the working title ‘Ridgeway’.

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report that summarised the council’s Full Proposal for Local Government Reform (LGR) in Oxfordshire, which was due to be submitted to the Government on 28 November 2025, subject to Executive approval at the Special Executive 13 November 2025.

The Full Proposal made the case for two unitary councils underpinned by a robust options appraisal and thorough financial analysis. Two unitary councils were proposed to help ensure the future of local government in Oxfordshire was cost effective, simplified and strengthened whilst unlocking further devolution for the county. Council was invited to debate the matters within the report and provide comments to Executive for their consideration.

In introducing the report, the Leader advised Council that the report and the proposal had been brought to the Special Council meeting to allow all Members of the Council the opportunity to consider and comment before the decision was taken at the Special Executive.

In considering the report, Members commented that it was vital that the new structure, when in place, empowered parish councils, whose role would  become increasingly important with a larger upper tier council. Members must also be supported to better serve parish councils and residents, ensuring local voices remained central to decision-making.

Members commented that a two-unitary authority model would help keep services more local, supporting the most deprived communities, and enabling a more holistic approach to housing. Local communities expected the council to focus on and operate within their area; as a result, the two-unitary authority model was considered the most appropriate option.

Members raised concerns about whether the proposed governance model would ensure fair distribution of resources, protect rural communities, and prevent further overdevelopment resulting from Oxford’s unmet housing needs.

It was highlighted that partnership working remained a key priority, and consideration must be given to the existing Oxford City Housing Revenue Account.

Members noted that the Secretary of State could implement the proposal with or without modification and queried the implications if the Secretary of State decided to take no action, and how would this affect the future of the proposal?

Members raised concerns regarding ribbon development, the influence of developer-led plans versus councillor-led local plans, and the potential for central government control over planning and council operations, especially in relation to the future of the green belt.

Members raised concerns that with the inclusion of Oxford City the future unitary would be dominated by Oxford City, which would result in market towns being disadvantaged and concerns over housing growth being dominated by the City.

Members thanked the Executive and officers for the significant amount of work undertaken in developing the two unitary proposal.

Resolved

(1)            That the Executive report of 13 November 2025 be noted and  comments be provided for Executive to consider as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)            That it be noted that Executive is asked to approve the Full Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire at its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.