Agenda and decisions

The Chair to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025 and the special meeting held on 13 November 2025.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

Report of Executive Director for Place and Regeneration

Purpose of report

To agree the response to the motion raised at the Council meeting on 20 October with regard to planning support for Town and Parish Councils. To seek approval for the allocation of £15,000 to provide targeted support to parish and town councils (PCs/TCs) in responding effectively to large-scale planning applications.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the in-year funding of up to £15,000 for the funding of a support package to Town and Parish Councils to respond to planning applications.

1.2           To approve the virement of £15,000 from Health and Wellbeing (this budget was originally intended for the heating hardship fund, however the Government reinstated the winter fuel allowance national scheme, so this is no longer required) to Planning and Development Management.

Resolved

(1)            That the in-year funding of up to £15,000 for the funding of a support package to Town and Parish Councils to respond to planning applications be approved.

(2)            That the virement of £15,000 from Health and Wellbeing (this budget was originally intended for the heating hardship fund, however the Government reinstated the winter fuel allowance national scheme, so this is no longer required) to Planning and Development Management be approved.

Report of Assistant Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Office

Purpose of report

To present the draft Executive responses to four sets of recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee, following the presentation of the scrutiny reports to the Executive on 7 October 2025.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1               To agree the Executive responses to the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendations, attached at Appendices 1 to 4.

Resolved

(1)            That the Executive Responses to the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendations in respect of Planning Application Appeals, Climate Action, Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the Cherwell Safer Communities Partnership be agreed.

Report of Head of Development Management

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024-25 for publication by 31 December 2025.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the Infrastructure Funding Statement 24-25 at Appendix 1 for publication by 31 December 2025 subject to any final changes considered to be necessary by the Head of Development Management to secure accuracy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Resolved

(1)            That approve the Infrastructure Funding Statement 24-25 be approved for publication by 31 December 2025, subject to any final changes considered to be necessary by the Head of Development Management to secure accuracy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

** Due to document length, to assist access, the appendices to the report are published as a supplement to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director Planning

Purpose of report

To seek approval for publication the 2025 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which includes a five-year housing land supply update (as at 31 October 2025).

To seek approval of the accompanying updates to the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Brownfield Land Register update (December 2025).

To seek approval of the Regulation 10A review of the adopted policies in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1) Partial Review – Oxford's Unmet Housing Need. (The Partial Review).

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the 2025 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) presented at Appendix 1 including a Housing Land Supply Statement and 2024/25 Infrastructure Delivery Plan update for publication.

1.2           To approve the 2024/25 Brownfield Land Register presented at Appendix 2 be approved for publication.

1.3           To approve the review of the adopted policies in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1) Partial Review – Oxford's Unmet Housing Need under Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 presented at Appendix 3 be approved.

1.4           To authorise the Assistant Director Planning to approve the final presentation of the AMR and Brownfield Land Register and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to them prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Resolved

(1)            That the 2025 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR), including a Housing Land Supply Statement and 2024/25 Infrastructure Delivery Plan update be approved for publication.

(2)            That the 2024/25 Brownfield Land Register be approved for publication.

(3)            That the review of the adopted policies in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1) Partial Review – Oxford's Unmet Housing Need under Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 be approved.

(4)            That the Assistant Director Planning be authorised to approve the final presentation of the AMR and Brownfield Land Register and to make any necessary minor administrative amendments and corrections to them prior to formal publication and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management.

Report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Purpose of report

To update the Executive on Flexible Home Improvement Loans Limited and its status, the alternative governance structures proposed for the company and to agree the preferred model as stated within the recommendations.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To delegate authority to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services to enter into negotiations to form a consortium with other Local Authority members.

1.2           To delegate authority to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services to engage with the procurement of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated provider to undertake loan administration services on behalf of the consortium.

1.3           To authorise the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services to engage with the winding up of FHIL once the net assets have been transferred with the appropriate safeguards.

1.4           To delegate to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer the authority to negotiate and agree new contracts pertaining to the future of FHIL on behalf of the Council.

Resolved

(1)            That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services to enter into negotiations to form a consortium with other Local Authority members.

(2)            That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services to engage with the procurement of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated provider to undertake loan administration services on behalf of the consortium.

(3)            That the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services be authorised to engage with the winding up of Flexible Home Improvement Loans Limited once the net assets have been transferred with the appropriate safeguards.

(4)            That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer, to negotiate and agree new contracts pertaining to the future of Flexible Home Improvement Loans Limited on behalf of the Council.

Report of Executive Director Place and Regeneration

Purpose of report

This report seeks to endorse an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be made by the Oxfordshire County Council to Government. This is in response to the Government’s devolution policy and seeks to position our region in the next round of devolution for the purpose of creating a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To endorse the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions, and agree to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date.

1.2           To endorse the Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council as the upper-tier authority to Government, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme.

1.3           To acknowledge the EOI as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority.

1.4           To agree that a further report will be brought to Executive prior to any final decision by the County Council as upper-tier authority on the creation of a Strategic Authority.

1.5           To note the informal Devolution Programme Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.

Resolved

(1)            That the benefits from the proposed devolution of powers and functions be endorsed and it be agreed to continue building on the collaborative approach across the region to date.

(2)            That the Expression of Interest (EOI) to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council as the upper-tier authority to Government be endorsed, noting that the EOI is designed to proactively position our region for early consideration in the next wave of the Devolution Programme.

(3)            That the Expression of Interest be acknowledged as an initial invitation to Government, opening further dialogue and engagement, and not a decision to establish a Strategic Authority.

(4)            That it be agreed that a further report will be brought to Executive prior to any final decision by the County Council as upper-tier authority on the creation of a Strategic Authority.

(5)            That it be noted that the informal Devolution Programme Board will oversee discussions with Government, ensuring robust governance and stakeholder engagement by elected members throughout this process.

Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To enable Executive to consider the proposed banded scheme for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) for 2026/2027.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To note the contents of the report, and any financial implications for the Council.

1.2           To note the comments of Budget Planning Committee at Section 6.2.

1.3           To recommend to Council that the current scheme is retained for 2026/27.

Resolved

(1)            That the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)            That the comments of Budget Planning Committee, who considered the report at their 8 July 2025 meeting and recommended that the current scheme (adjusted for inflationary purposes be retained for 2026/27, be noted.

(3)            That Council be recommended to retain the current scheme for 2026/27.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To report to the Executive the council’s forecast year-end financial position as at the end of the October 2025. Further detail can be found in the report and its appendices.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To consider and note the contents of the council’s financial management report as at the end of October 2025.

1.2           To approve the Use of Reserve and Grant Funding Requests in Appendix 4.

1.3           To recommend to Council to approve the allocation of £1.65m capital budget to undertake roof replacement works at Castle Quay, details are held within 4.1.7 and 4.1.8 of this report and at Appendix 5.

Resolved

(1)            That the council’s financial management report as at the end of October 2025 be noted.

(2)            That the Use of Reserve and Grant Funding Requests (Appendix 4 to the report) be approved.

(3)            That Council be recommended approve the allocation of £1.65m capital budget to undertake roof replacement works at Castle Quay.

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

No representations have been received from the public requesting that this item be considered in public.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Exempt report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Resolved

(1)            That the contract for external print and mail contract be awarded to the successful bidder, as set out in the exempt decisions.

(2)            That authority be delegated to Assistant Director Law & Governance & Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to enter into a contract with the successful bidder.