Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 73 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors:
· Tim Sumner |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations from Members of Council on any items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest were received as follows:
The Chair drew Members’ attention to Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Any Members in Council Tax arrears of two or more months must declare this and cannot vote on the budget or Council Tax items.
There were no declarations of interest received.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2026. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 28 January were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
Councillor Thomas Ashby noted he had not received a response to his supplementary questions.
Councillor Andy Graham proposed accepting the minutes, these were seconded and voted on.
Voting Record – 38 For, 3 Abstentions, 1 Against |
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Receipt of Announcements To receive any announcements from The Chair, Leader, Members of the Executive, Head of Paid Service, Director of Finance or Director of Governance. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair thanked members that had attended his recent charity coffee morning and bake sale held in Witney. The Chair advised that nearly £500 had been raised at the event.
The Chair also advised that his charity quiz night was on 20 March 2026 and all members were welcome to attend.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, announced that he had taken on the role of Armed Forces Champion for the Council. Councillor Graham stated that he felt that the Leader should hold this role in recognition of the large armed forces community in West Oxfordshire. The role was to act as an advocate for the armed forces community and raise any areas of concern to ensure action was taken to support them. Councillor Graham would work to ensure the needs and contributions of military personnel and veterans were recognised, valued and supported.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, drew members’ attention to a recent docudrama “Dirty Business”. This docudrama had been produced in collaboration with a local campaigner’s group Windrush Against Sewerage Pollution (WASP). Councillor Arciszewska suggested that the programme laid bare the improper actions of Thames Water and the shortcomings of regulators with regard to sewerage. Councillor Arciszewska expressed her gratitude to Peter Hammond, Ashley Smith and WASP for their action on the national scandal of sewerage pollution in particular in the district.
Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, advised that the Council’s nature recovery work would be showcased following the Executive on tour in Charlbury on Wednesday 11 March. The officer presentation at the event would include projects on restoration of rivers, strengthening habitats and protecting wildlife. The Evenlode Catchment Partnership and Charlbury Land and Nature Group would also be joining the event.
The Chief Executive welcomed Michael Rich who had been appointed Regeneration Lead for the Carterton Area Strategy. Mr Rich had extensive experience and was envisaged to play a key role in the regeneration of Carterton |
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Participation of the Public To receive any submissions from members of the public, in accordance with the Council’s Public Participation Rules.
The deadline for submission is 2.00pm, two clear working days before the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There was no participation of the public. |
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Questions by Members The following questions have been submitted by Members of Council to Members of the Executive, in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Constitution Part 5A, Rule 12).
Written responses will be circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website at least one working day prior to the meeting. A Member submitting a question is entitled to ask one supplementary question at the meeting which must arise directly from the question or the response to it.
The supplementary questions and answers will be detailed in the minutes of the meeting.
Question 1: From Councillor Roger Faulkner to Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment
I posed a question at the Council Meeting on 29th January 2025 asking, “What extra financial provision is included in the budget to meet the increased cost of rubbish collection for the inevitable increase in fly tipping following the proposed introduction of a booking system at our household disposal sites?”. The response from Cllr Arciszewska was “There have been no changes to budget or potential operating costs as there is no established causal link between introduction of a booking scheme at household disposal sites and changes to fly tipping”. At the Council Meeting on 3rd December 2025 my colleague, Cllr Liam Walker asked, “There is concern amongst residents that these changes (the introduction of a booking system) could increase fly tipping……. Will there be extra resources for enforcement?” We now have a statement issued on 4th February 2026 stating that WODC is investing in new resources to tackle fly tipping – what has brought about this change of heart a year after it was raised? The statement confirms that environmental crime remains a growing challenge in West Oxfordshire and states, “Between January and December 2025, the Council received 1754 reports of offences, including fly tipping. It further states, “The Council is proposing to create a new post to support its Environmental Crime Officer …….to strengthen These statements are extremely vague and so there are two questions that need specific answers:
Additional documents: Minutes: Questions by Members, as listed on the agenda, and the responses to those questions, which were circulated in advance, were taken as read.
The Chair invited the questioner to ask a supplementary question if they wished and then invited the relevant Executive Members to respond.
The Written Question, Written Answer, Verbal Supplementary Question and Verbal Supplementary Answer are detailed in a separate document appended to the Minutes of the Meeting. |
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Purpose Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 places a duty on the Chief Financial Officer to make a report to the Council on the robustness of the budget estimates, the adequacy of the Council’s reserves and risk.
Recommendation That Council: 1. Notes this report and has regard to it when making its decisions about budget and Council Tax for 2026/27. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader introduced the report, the purpose of which was to note the report and have regard to it in light of the subsequent item on the Council’s Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The Leader proposed accepting the recommendation to note the report.
Councillor Alaric Smith seconded the recommendation. Councillor Smith encouraged members to vote in approval of the recommendation. He stated that the budget process had continued to operate effectively, supported by the diligent work of staff across service areas. A comprehensive report had been produced for the upcoming financial year, reflecting robust analysis and early engagement consistent with the organisation’s established budget?setting timeline. Following discussion with the Executive, there was collective agreement and comfort with the conclusions reached, ensuring the Council was well?placed to proceed confidently into the next stage of financial planning.
Council resolved to: 1. Note the report and has regard to it when making its decisions about budget and Council Tax for 2026/27.
Voting Record – 39 For, 0 Abstentions, 0 Against
[AB1]Mentioned below the resolution too. |
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Budget 2026/27 & medium term financial strategy Purpose: To provide the proposed budget for 2026/27, whilst also seeking approval for: 1. The Draft Base Budget for 2026/27 2. The Council’s Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 3. The level of Council Tax for 2026/27 4. The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2030/31 5. The Capital Strategy 2026/27 6. The Investment Strategy 2026/27 7. The Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 8. The Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2026/27
Recommendations: The Executive resolves to recommend the following to Council for approval: 1. The General Fund Revenue Budget 2026/27 as Summarised in Annex A. 2. The Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31 in Annex B. 3. The Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 as set out in Annex C. 4. The Council’s Pay Policy Statement as set out in Annex I. 5. The Council’s Capital Strategy as set out in Annex J. 6. The Council’s Investment Strategy as set out in Annex K. 7. The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy as set out in Annex L.
Additional documents:
Minutes: In introducing the item, the Chair reminded members that they would not be able to leave partway through the item.
The purpose of the item was to provide the proposed budget for 2026/27, whilst also seeking approval for: 1. The Draft Base Budget for 2026/27 2. The Council’s Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 3. The level of Council Tax for 2026/27 4. The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2030/31 5. The Capital Strategy 2026/27 6. The Investment Strategy 2026/27 7. The Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 8. The Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2026/27
The Leader introduced the item, and in doing so thanked the Council’s finance team and officers generally. The Leader stated that the Executive had proposed a prudent budget which allowed the Council to maintain essential functions. The Leader also stated that the Executive had made strong progress against the Council’s priorities, referencing the following projects;
The Leader highlighted the key elements of the 2026-27 budget:
Councillor Michele Mead, the Leader of the Opposition, then spoke on the Executive’s proposed budget. Councillor Mead put forward an amendment to the budget, giving the following reasons;
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Purpose To enable West Oxfordshire District Council (‘the Council’) to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2026/27. Recommendation 1. That the Council passes the resolution set out in Annex A to the report. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors Natalie King and David Jackson left the room.
Councillor Andy Graham introduced the item, the purpose of which was to enable West Oxfordshire District Council (‘the Council’) to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2026/27.
Councillor Alaric Smith seconded the recommendations which were put to the vote and agreed by Council
Council Resolved to:
Recommendations for the Council Tax Resolution 2026/27 The Council Resolves to: 1) Note that for the purpose of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 Section 35(2), there are no special expenses for the District Council in 2026/27;
2) Note that at its meeting held on 14 January 2026 the Executive acknowledged the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2026/27: a) b) for the whole Council area as 49,561.59 [item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates as in the attached Schedule 1.
3) Agree that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2026/27 (excluding Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) is £134.38
4) Agree that the following amounts be calculated for the year 2026/27 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) £57,406,989 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act, taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils and any additional special expenses. £44,427,124 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act. £12,979,865 being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act). £261.89 being the amount at 4(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (2(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts and Special Expenses); £6,319,779 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act as per the attached Schedule 2. £134.38 being the amount at 4(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by Item T(2(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish Precept or special item relates; the amounts shown in Schedule 2 being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 4(f) above, the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area shown in Schedule ... view the full minutes text for item CL.83
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Salt Cross Area Action Plan Purpose To consider the formal adoption of the Salt Cross Area Action Plan (AAP).
Recommendations The Executive recommends that Council resolves to: 1. Accept the Inspectors’ recommendations regarding the Main Modifications required to make the AAP sound as set out at Annex A and Annex B; 2. Agree the incorporation of the additional modifications as set out at Annex C; 3. Adopt the Salt Cross Area Action Plan (AAP) attached at Annex D as a development plan document, incorporating all of the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspectors at Annex A and Annex B, together with the additional modifications at Annex C, in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012; 4. Authorise the Head of Planning in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, prior to the publication of the adopted Salt Cross AAP, to correct any minor spelling, grammatical or typographical errors together with any improvements from a presentational perspective including paragraph and policy numbering; 5. Note that the adoption of the Salt Cross AAP will supersede certain aspects of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 insofar as they relate to Salt Cross with immediate effect, specifically; Figure 3.2 of the AAP updates Figure 9.5e of the Local Plan, AAP Policy 16 supersedes Local Plan Policy T4 in respect of car parking standards and AAP Policy 25 supersedes Local Plan Policy H5 in respect of custom and self-build housing. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, presented the item, the purpose of which was to consider the formal adoption of the Salt Cross Area Action Plan (AAP).
Prior to his presentation, Councillor Ashton expressed his gratitude to all of those involved in bringing the AAP to the adoption stage. Councillor Ashton specifically credited the community of Eynsham, Rights Community Action, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Planning Team and the various consultants involved in the process that included Etude, Currie and Brown, Aspinall Verdi and LUC.
Councillor Ashton then moved onto the main presentation and made the following points:
In the discussion Members made the following points:
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Chief Executive Recruitment Chief Executive Recruitment – report to follow. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair advised Council that he had used his discretion to enable the item to be considered notwithstanding the late circulation of the report on the basis that this would allow the stability the Council required and would enable the quick recruitment of a Director of Place.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, presented the item, the purpose of which was to present the outcome of the recruitment process for the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) role and seek Full Council’s approval of the Selection Panel’s recommendation to appoint Phillip Martin with a secondment to be the Council’s next Chief Executive from 1 June 2026 until 31 March 2028, to fit in with the expected Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Vesting Day.
Councillor Graham proposed the recommendations and noted that, with the retirement of the current Chief Executive, the Council was required to ensure continuity and stability in the Council’s senior leadership. An internal recruitment process had been undertaken which the Performance and Appointments Committee had delegated to a cross-party Selection Panel, with an interview process on 17 February. The process was in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and relevant statutory provisions. The Panel had wished to take forward Phillip Martin as the preferred candidate.
Councillor Michele Mead seconded the proposal.
A Member expressed a hope that on the appointment the new Chief Executive would continue to work with closely with Members.
The recommendations were put to the vote as follows:
For, 37 Against 0, Abstentions 0.
The Council resolved to: Approve the appointment and salary of Phillip Martin as Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) of West Oxfordshire District Council from 1 June 2026 until the 31 March 2028, to fit in with the expected Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Vesting Day.
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Motions on Notice No motions were received by the deadline of 12pm on 16 February 2026. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no motions tabled for the meeting. |
Rejected
Carried