Agenda, decisions and minutes

11. A New Arts Centre for North Oxfordshire.

Councillor Rob Pattenden, Other Registerable Interest, as a Trustee of Mill Arts Centre Trust.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Rogers, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Cherwell Conservative and Independent Alliance,  Councillor Watkins, Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Sibley, Leader of the Independent Group, and Councillor Broad to the meeting and advised them to indicate if they wished to speak.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair advised that all 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 prior to an air horn marking the beginning of a two-minute silence at 11am. The air horn would sound again at two minutes past eleven. Councillor Pattenden would conclude by reading the Kohima Epitaph.

The Chair reminded Executive members that a Special Executive was taking place at 6.30pm on Thursday 13 November to agree the council’s local government review submission to the Government.

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

Report of Assistant Director Environmental Services and Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Purpose of report

This report sets out the possible options for the Kerbside glass collection, a new requirement driven by the Environment Act. It provides the necessary details to enable an informed decision.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To support the proposed changes to the service, introducing kerbside glass collections from January 2026.

1.2           To note the potential impacts of the Environment Act on the waste collection service and that a further report on other elements of Simpler Recycling will come forward soon.

Resolved

(1)            That the proposed changes to the waste collection service, introducing kerbside glass collections from January 2026 be supported.

(2)            That the potential impacts of the Environment Act on the waste collection service and that a further report on other elements of Simpler Recycling will come forward soon be noted.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services and Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which set out the possible options for the Kerbside glass collection, a new requirement driven by the Environment Act.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services explained that two changes were required to meet the requirements of Simpler Recycling, a new law. Firstly, glass must be collected at the kerbside. In addition, paper and cardboard must be collected separately from the rest of the recycling materials. The initial focus was the introduction of the Kerbside Glass collection in 2025/26.

All of the options considered to introduce kerbside glass collection would unavoidably increase the costs of the service. The proposed option of collecting glass in recycling blue bins was the least expensive. It was also considered straightforward as it did not require extra vehicles or staff and would be easy for residents to use. A communications plan would be developed to inform residents of the changes.

In considering the report, Executive members commented that this was a positive change that would be welcomed by residents. It would particularly benefit residents in rural areas with less access to bring banks.

In response to a query from Councillor Sibley regarding the cost of introducing the scheme from January 2026 rather than April, the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services explained that whilst there would be some loss of income, it was beneficial for residents for the service to start as soon as practicable.

Resolved

(1)            That the proposed changes to the waste collection service, introducing kerbside glass collections from January 2026 be supported.

(2)            That the potential impacts of the Environment Act on the waste collection service and that a further report on other elements of Simpler Recycling will come forward soon be noted.

Reasons

The council recommends introducing glass recycling from the kerbside by adding it to the blue bin during January 2026 to comply with Simpler Recycling. This approach has several benefits:

·       This should make it easier for residents to recycle their glass and lead to a slight increase in the recycling rate (1-1.5%).

·       It does not require additional capital for new containers or vehicles or the associated revenue implications of capital expenditure.

·       It aligns with the method of glass collection used by Oxford City Council, which is essential as the three councils (including West Oxfordshire) move toward a potential new unitary council.

Remove the remaining banks in a planned manner. In some areas, the bring banks can be a focus for fly tipping. As kerbside glass collection is introduced, the volume of glass through the glass banks will roll out, and the volume of glass through the bring banks will fall.

Alternative options

Option 1: Collect glass mixed in with the blue bin (Preferred Option)

This option involves adding glass to the existing blue bin with other dry-mixed recyclables. It is straightforward, does not require extra vehicles or staff, and is easy for residents to use.

Key Financials: This option has no additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (S151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To report to Executive the council’s forecast yearend financial, performance and risk position as of the end of Quarter 2 2025.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To consider and note the contents of the council’s finance, performance, and risk management report as at Quarter 2.

1.2           To approve the reprofiling of projects in the capital programme as set out in Appendix 1. 

1.3           To approve £0.040m of Rural England Prosperity Funding for the enhancement of Park Hill Recreation Ground in Kidlington.

1.4           To approve the transfer of Extended Producer Reliability grant (£1.4m) to sit within Environmental Services from Executive Matters (This report has been drafted on the assumption that this has been actioned).

1.5           To approve the virement of £85k from Health & Wellbeing (this budget was originally intended for the heating hardship fund, however, the Government re-instated the winter fuel allowance national scheme, so this is no longer required) to Environmental Services for the Councils contribution to the Oxfordshire Waste & Environmental Services Programme.

1.6           To approve the proposed write offs as set out in exempt Appendix 8.

Resolved

(1)            That the council’s finance, performance, and risk management report as at Quarter 2 be noted.

(2)            That the reprofiling of projects in the capital programme (Appendix 1 to the report) be approved. 

(3)            That £0.040m of Rural England Prosperity Funding for the enhancement of Park Hill Recreation Ground in Kidlington be approved.

(4)            That the transfer of Extended Producer Reliability grant (£1.4m) to sit within Environmental Services from Executive Matters be approved.

(5)            That the virement of £85k from Health & Wellbeing (this budget was originally intended for the heating hardship fund, however, the Government re-instated the winter fuel allowance national scheme, so this is no longer required) to Environmental Services for the Councils contribution to the Oxfordshire Waste & Environmental Services Programme be approved.

(Recommendation 1.6 withdrawn)

The Assistant Director Finance (S151 Officer) submitted a report which reported to Executive the council’s forecast yearend financial, performance and risk position as of the end of Quarter 2 2025.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration advised that the exempt appendix had been withdrawn and the associated recommendation 1.6 was therefore also withdrawn.

Resolved

(1)            That the council’s finance, performance, and risk management report as at Quarter 2 be noted.

(2)            That the reprofiling of projects in the capital programme (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved. 

(3)            That £0.040m of Rural England Prosperity Funding for the enhancement of Park Hill Recreation Ground in Kidlington be approved.

(4)            That the transfer of Extended Producer Reliability grant (£1.4m) to sit within Environmental Services from Executive Matters be approved.

(5)            That the virement of £85k from Health & Wellbeing (this budget was originally intended for the heating hardship fund, however, the Government re-instated the winter fuel allowance national scheme, so this is no longer required) to Environmental Services for the Councils contribution to the Oxfordshire Waste & Environmental Services Programme be approved.

Reasons

The report updates the Committee on the projected year-end financial position of the council for 2025/26, Quarter 2 performance position and updated Leadership Risk Register. Regular reporting is key to good governance and demonstrates that the council is actively managing its financial resources sustainably.

Alternative options

Option 1: This report summarises the council’s forecast financial position up to the end of End of Year 2026, and a snapshot of our Performance and Risk position for Quarter 2 2025-26, therefore there are no alternative options to consider.

The following items contain 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).

5 - Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings

Members are reminded that whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider them 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 these items 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 items 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, Paragraphs 3 and/or 5 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.”

Resolved

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items 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, Paragraphs 3 and/or 5 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 appendix withdrawn

The exempt appendix had been withdrawn under item 8 (Minute 57).  

Exempt report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services and Assistant Director Property

Resolved

(1)            As set out in the exempt decision notice.

The Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted an exempt report in respect of a new Arts Centre for North Oxfordshire.

Resolved

(1)            As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Reasons

As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Alternative options

As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Exempt report of Executive Director for Place and Regeneration

(Exempt Appendix 2 to follow)

Resolved

(1)            As set out in the exempt decision notice.

The Assistant Director Property submitted an exempt report in respect of the award of contract for Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI).

Resolved

(1)            As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Reasons

As set out in the exempt Minutes.

Alternative options

As set out in the exempt Minutes.