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Agenda and draft minutes

Executive - Wednesday, 14th January, 2026 2.00 pm

Venue: Woodstock Community Centre, 32 New Road, Woodstock, OX20 1PB. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

443.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence from Members of the Executive. The quorum for the Executive is 3 Members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

444.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from members of the Executive on any items to be considered at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

445.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 17 December 2025.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no amendments to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 December 2025.

 

The minutes were proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council. Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposal. The proposal was voted on and approved unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 December 2025.

446.

Receipt of Announcements

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive or the Chief Executive.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, welcomed the public to the meeting of the Executive and invited Executive Members and Officers attending the meeting to introduce themselves to the public present.

 

Councillor Graham reiterated that there was an engagement session that followed the meeting which would focus on future leisure provision, investment plans and would provide an update on Council facilities, including Woodstock swimming pool.

 

Councillor Graham advised that a letter had been received from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness that had invited the Council to request a delay to the elections scheduled to take place in May 2026 due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). However, the Leader had consulted with officers, and the elections would go ahead as scheduled.

 

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, noted that Witney had seen a record number of shoppers over the Christmas period which was reflective of the vibrant town centres in the district and, in the context of the move to internet shopping, was a very positive result.

 

Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger Healthy Communities, announced that the Council’s Youth Officer would be holding a District Youth Partnership meeting on 15 January 2026 at which twenty-five professionals would discuss youth needs. Councillor Crouch also informed the Executive that round six of the Westhive grant scheme would be closing on 11 February 2026 and encouraged those interested in discussing grants to look at the Council website and contact officers.

447.

Participation of the Public

Anyone who lives, works, or studies in West Oxfordshire is eligible to ask one question at the meeting, for up to three minutes, directed at the Leader of the Council or any Executive Member on any agenda item or on any issue that affects the district or its people.

 

All questions must be no longer than three minutes long.

 

Members of the public wishing to speak at a meeting must notify [email protected], or call Customer Services on 01993 861000 including their name and the agenda item or topic they wish to speak on, by 2.00pm two clear working days before the meeting (e.g. for a Wednesday meeting, the deadline would be 2.00pm on the Friday before).

 

If the topic of the question is not within the remit of the Council, advice will be provided on where best to direct the question.

 

The Leader or relevant Executive Member will either respond to a question verbally at the meeting or provide a written response which will be included in the minutes of the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no participation of the public.

448.

Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

To consider any reports or recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which meets on 7 January 2026.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had met on 7 January 2026. The meeting had considered the Motion from Full Council on 3 December 2025, entitled Protecting Fire Services in West Oxfordshire. The Committee’s written response to Oxfordshire County Council’s consultation had been sent. The letter objected to and raised a series of concerns about the County Council’s current proposals, which included the future closure of fire stations in Woodstock and Eynsham.

449.

Matters raised by Audit and Governance Committee

To consider any matters raised by the Audit and Governance Committee.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Audit and Governance Committee had not met since the previous meeting of the Executive.

450.

Draft Budget 2026/27 version 2 pdf icon PDF 514 KB

Purpose:

This report provides an update on the developing budget for 2026/27 following the provisional government funding settlement announcement on 17 December 2025.

 

Recommendations:

That the Executive resolves to:

1.  Approve the Fees and Charges for 2026/27, as detailed in Annex D.

 

That the Executive resolves to recommend to Full Council to:

2. Approve the Council Tax Base shown in Annex C, calculated as 49,561.59 for the year 2026/27.

3.  Authorise the Director of Finance to submit the National Non-Domestic Rates Return 1 (NNDR1) to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by the submission date of 31 January 2026.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the developing budget for 2026/27 following the provisional government funding settlement which was announced on 17 December 2025.

 

In his presentation Councillor Smith focussed on the following areas of the report:

 

  • The Council would approve the final budget, along with strategy papers for Treasury Management, Capital and Investments on 25 February 2026.
  • The second draft presented to the meeting had been updated with the provisional government funding settlement which had been announced on 17 December 2025, draft fees and charges and the final Council Tax Base.
  • The second draft showed a contribution to general fund reserves of £650,884 before growth requests. This position was significantly more optimistic than that initially presented following publication of the funding formula review in June 2025.
  • The change in estimated funding in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) presented to Executive in December was a result of the Income Protection Floor. The expected cash-cut and cash-flat were not realised and subsequently there were material changes to the MTFS assumptions that had been made in June 2025. The table in the report at section 2.7 showed the changes in the funding position between June and those confirmed in December.
  • The surplus from the Business Rates Pool, which the Council had chosen not to budget for, had been moved to earmarked reserves over recent years and would fund future gaps in revenue for the period of the MTFS and until the future Unitary Authority took over the Council’s functions.
  • Assumptions were set out in the report at section three.
  • Improvements in the revenue position related to: the expected disposal of a property at Between Towns Road which would provide a budget saving in terms of future costs; bringing employees back to the Council from Publica and potential changes in the Council’s public convenience provision.
  • Increases in the income portfolio included: Investment property; development management and trade waste.
  • Growth requests could be seen at section 4.2 of the report. These were required to deliver services at the Council. Councillor Smith suggested members of the Executive would report on the growth requests in their respective portfolios later in the meeting.
  • Further items were to be reported to the Executive in February and would include the Capital Programme, Minimum Revenue Position and External Borrowing.
  • The Fees and Charges that were set out in the paper at section seven were in three categories: Those which were set centrally; those set on a cost recovery basis and those which were discretionary to the Council. 
  • The Capital Programme would be updated for February.
  • The detailed analysis of the results of the Council’s budget consultation which had ran to 19 December 2025 would be presented to the Executive and Council in February.

 

In the discussion Executive members noted and welcomed growth requests included in the budget in their respective portfolio areas (shown in section 4.2 of the report):

 

Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger  ...  view the full minutes text for item 450.

451.

Enforcement Agent Commissioning pdf icon PDF 520 KB

Purpose:

To seek approval to initiate a procurement process to tender for the provision of Enforcement Agent services.

 

Recommendations:

That Executive resolves to:

1.    Approve the process to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint Enforcement Agent services for the Council; and,

2.    Note, that the procurement exercise will be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System; and in partnership Cheltenham Borough, Stroud District, Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District and the Forest of Dean District councils.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to seek approval to initiate a procurement process to tender for the provision of Enforcement Agent services.

 

In his presentation Councillor Smith made the following points:

 

  • The current contract was due to expire on 2 October 2026, and a new contract was required to ensure continuity of service.
  • The Enforcement Agent service was a critical function supporting recovery of outstanding debts to the Council.
  • Enforcement and debt collection agencies were a last resort however they remained an essential resource.
  • The open tender process would be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System in partnership with five other councils.
  • The contract would be awarded for three years with an option to extend for a further two, subject to performance.
  • A contract would be created for each Local Authority. This meant West Oxfordshire would not be impacted by LGR.

 

Councillor Smith proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.

 

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposal.

 

This was voted on and approved unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

That Executive:

  1. Approved the process to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint Enforcement Agent services for the Council; and,
  2. Noted, that the procurement exercise will be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System; and in partnership Cheltenham Borough, Stroud District, Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District and the Forest of Dean District councils.

452.

Woodford Way pdf icon PDF 104 KB

Purpose:

This report will provide an update on the Woodford Way project, engagement with Registered Providers and a proposed way forward in regard to parking.

 

Recommendations:

That the Executive resolves to:

1.    Note the update on progress with the Woodford Way project.

2.    Endorse the proposed approach to the residential development of the Woodford Way site and car parking (subject to planning permission).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the Woodford Way project, engagement with Registered Providers and a proposed way forward in regard to parking.

 

In his presentation Councillor Saul made the following points:

 

  • The scheme provided seventy affordable homes consisting of one and two bed properties for social rent. Social rent was at 50% of the market rate.
  • At present the district had 2,300 residents on the waiting list for housing, with 90 needing emergency accommodation, therefore this need was urgent.
  • The Council was the landowner of the site and so this project had presented an opportunity to make the development 100% affordable.
  • The central location of the site in Witney had made it ideal in terms of access to amenities and transport. Residents living in such close proximity to the town centre would also increase footfall in the town’s shops.
  • The Executive did recognise that there was an impact of developing the site on the parking provision in the town. Councillor Saul acknowledged that this could displace people in the day and residents who used the car park at night. However, the Council was actively working on solutions that could include the use of the available capacity at Marriotts Walk or a key fob scheme for workers and residents.
  • A revised set of architect’s designs had been produced since the publication of the report. These plans included additional public parking bays.
  • The Executive had listened to public comment and were working to increase the parking and prioritise key workers.

 

The Director of Place expanded on the new architects plans and advised that these would be fully costed and viability checked before moving to the planning process.

 

Councillor Saul proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.

 

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, reiterated that this was a core policy of the Council. The Council owned the land which would mean the project could be delivered with lower cost and the scheme matched the parameters of Homes England who were supportive.

 

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, queried the potential for multi-storey or underground parking on the site. The Director of Place responded and referenced the revised architects drawing that had picked up aspects of this approach in its design but noted such approaches could increase cost.

 

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, praised the movement from the original proposal that properties would be sold on the open market to 100% affordable and reiterated the benefits of the housing being in Witney town centre for businesses. Councillor Enright sought more clarity on the plans for key worker accommodation and the balance of the parking requirements of shoppers and residents of the area. Councillor Saul responded by stating that the Council was mindful of these considerations and how important this was to local Members. The detail of the scheme was still being developed. The proximity of the three  ...  view the full minutes text for item 452.

 

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