Agenda

To receive communications from the Chair

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 16 March 2026.

Report of Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To note the results of the district elections held on 7 May 2026, to appoint the Leader of the Council and to consider the appointments and allocation of seats on Committees for municipal year 2026/2027 in accordance with the duty under Section 15 Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflects the political make-up of the Council following the elections. The political representation of members on committees needs to be considered on an annual basis.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To note the results of the District elections held on 7 May 2026.

1.2         To note the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders which has been notified in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

1.3         To appoint the Leader of the Council.

1.4         To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and Executive portfolios for the municipal year 2026/2027.

1.5         To agree the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in Appendix 2 (to follow).

1.6         To agree that the allocation of seats on the Licensing Acts Committee reflects the General Licensing Committee.

1.7         To appoint members (and where required, substitute members) to serve on each of the committees in accordance with the nominations made by political groups (Appendix 3 - to follow).

1.8         To appoint a non-Executive representative to the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

1.9         To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

1.10      To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel.

1.11      To appoint an Executive member representative and an Executive member substitute to the Oxfordshire Leaders Joint Committee.

1.12      That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make changes required to the Constitution as a result of the changes referred to in this report.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

This report presents the annual report of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee for the municipal year 2025/26. It has been prepared to enable the committee to demonstrate to Council how it has fulfilled its terms of reference.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To note the annual report of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

Report of Assistant Director Law & Governance / Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

For Council to consider and note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2025-26.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2025/2026.

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

Please note:

Members are advised that written questions and motions for the next scheduled Council meeting on Monday 20 July must be submitted to the Assistant Director Law and  Governance & Monitoring Officer, democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, by noon on Wednesday 8 July.  

Appointments of Chairs and Vice-Chair of Committees for the Municipal Year 2026/2027

At the conclusion of the Council’s proceedings all Members are asked to remain

in their seats in the Council Chamber while Committees meet for the purpose of electing their Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

The Monitoring Officer will ask the Members on each Committee to stand (if they can) / sit as appropriate in the following order:

·         Audit and Governance Committee

·         Appeals Panel

·         Budget Planning Committee

·         General Licensing Committee

·         Licensing Acts Committee

·         Personnel Committee

·         Planning Committee

The Monitoring Officer will seek nominations for Chair. Once appointed, the newly elected Chair of each Committee will seek nominations for Vice-Chair.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will appoint its Chairman and Vice-Chairman at its meeting on Thursday 18 June 2026.