Decisions
Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
12/03/2025 - West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041 – Regulation 18 Pre-Submission Draft Consultation ref: 415 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the emerging draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041, including the Regulation 18 ‘preferred options’ public consultation which was scheduled to begin in May 2025. Councillor Ashton reiterated that this item was an update and not a draft Local Plan, which would be completed in October. However, it was noted that the emerging plan had a much stronger focus than the Local Plan 2031 (adopted in 2018) on the following areas: mitigating climate change, tackling the ecological emergency, investment in infrastructure, focus on community health and wellbeing, water environment, reducing reliance on the private car, increasing the use of public transport and a provision for a Carterton to Oxford railway line. The next step would be the presentation of the preferred options consultation paper to the Executive on 14 May 2025. The consultation period would begin in late May and last through June. It was explained that there would be a presentation on this with the opportunity to ask questions following the meeting.
Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, seconded the recommendations
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Note the content of the report including the implications of the updated NPPF published in December 2024 and the intention to defer consideration of the Local Plan preferred option consultation paper until May 2025.
2. Agree that a minor addendum to the Council’s published Local Development Scheme (LDS) – November 2024 be published to reflect the fact that the Local Plan 2041 preferred options consultation paper will now be considered by the Council’s Executive in May 2025 with public consultation to begin in late May 2025.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Head of Planning - Chris Hargraves
12/03/2025 - Financial Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter Three ref: 414 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
Councillor Aleric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to detail the Council’s financial performance for Quarter Three 2024-2025. Councillor Smith summarised the report highlighting the following items:
- There was an overall overspend of £34,344, an improvement from quarter two where the position was £96,821 overspent.
- Green waste was currently £64,000 below budget.
- A new contract for Dry Mixed Recycling started on 1 October 2024. In the first four months of the contract the average monthly cost has dropped by £23,000. The budget for 2025/26 included a saving of £300,000 for the processing of recycling.
- Development Management was difficult to forecast with no discernible pattern. At the end of quarter three the income sat at £240,000 below target. Although the income position had improved, the Council would only reach its target if it received a major application. The year end forecast was £145,000 behind target. The situation had been reflected in the budget for the next year.
- Bank and credit charges were reported as overspent for the previous two financial years. A new contract for processing had brought cost back within original budget for 2024/25. The forecast for quarter four was an underspend of £70,000.
- With regards to investment property, Councillor Smith advised that Between Towns Road in Cowley remained empty and was overspent as the Council was liable for Business Rates and Security costs. Officers were undertaking an asset review to consider alternative use for the site.
- Talisman Business centre showed a forecast underspend of £80,000 in quarter four.
- The income contingency of £200,00 put against the large Leisure Contract did not appear like it will be needed.
- The Council had identified risks in the Budget for 2025/26 relating to the Leisure Contract and Business Rates reset. It was recommended that any surplus in revenue outrun be transferred to budget deficit reserve to mitigate these risks.
- It was recommended that an earmarked reserve be set up to cover the extensive costs of exploring and scoping the optimal unitary solution.
- Councillor Smith noted that the agile working programme had been completed at Elmfield. There were some urgent works required to Woodgreen. The Solar PV replacement at Elmfield had also been completed. An Investment Grade Proposal for the decarbonisation of Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney was expected and the business case would go forward to the Executive in June 2025.
- Four new waste vehicles had been delivered.
- Councillor Smith concluded that the revenue outturn position was forecast to be £58,762 underspent. However, this position included elements which would not be known until year end. Therefore, although the position at the end of quarter three remained encouraging, there were still risks.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance. proposed accepting the recommendations as detailed in the report.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, seconded the recommendations.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Note the Council’s Financial Performance for Quarter Three 2024-2025
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, to review earmarked reserves to mitigate against the financial risks identified in this report.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Madhu Richards
12/03/2025 - Provision of an Empty Property Lending Scheme ref: 412 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
To consider a loan provider for owners of long-term empty properties who need financial support to bring their properties back into use.
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, introduced the item. The purpose of the item was to consider a loan provider for owners of long-term empty properties who needed financial support to bring their properties back into use. Councillor Smith noted that at the end of March 2024, 1,128 properties were registered as long-term empty. Councillor Smith stated that empty properties were a wasted resource and a source of complaints. The Scheme encouraged owners of such properties to carry out essential works to bring these properties back into use. Lendology would provide loans to owners to enable such works to be carried out. Lendology would manage the scheme on behalf of the Council. The Council would set the interest rates for the duration.
Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, noted that in the context of the Council’s planning targets it was important that existing stock was brought back into use.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, seconded the recommendations.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Agree to partner with Lendology for the administration of loans subject to legal agreements being implemented for an initial period of one year.
2. Agree that loans are for the sole purpose of bringing empty properties back into use.
3. Delegate authority to the Director of Finance to approve the level at which interest is to be set on a loan repayment.
That the Executive recommend to Full Council to:
4. Approve a capital investment of £300,000 to create a lending pot.
5. Approve an initial set up fee of £30,125.
Lead officer: Mandy Fathers
12/03/2025 - Community Grants - Westhive Review ref: 407 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, introduced the item the purpose of which was to present the review of the Westhive Crowdfunding scheme to date and consider the outcomes as detailed in the report. Councillor Crouch introduced background and context of the Westhive scheme and explained that this review had been recommended to take place by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 November 2024. The review had now taken place and been presented to the Committee in March. The conclusions of the report were:
- The Westhive scheme should continue to operate for the remainder of the contract.
- To consider the benefits and implications of CIF finding being made available on the platform on 2025/26
- To consider changing the Council’s pledge level
- To activate the Community Activities Grant
In discussing the report, Executive Members noted that the scheme not only helped communities raise funds but also encouraged communities to take ownership due to the Council topping up community funds. It was stated that the scheme helped small projects who may not have knowledge of how to get on platforms and fundraise. The benefits of the scheme were highlighted, including more money being available and the greater diversity of the organisations that could take part. The Witney Mills Cricket Club was given as an example.
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, seconded the recommendations stating that the scheme had been a great success with funds being awarded to a wide range of projects benefiting communities and the environment. Councillor Arciszewska thanked the officers involved for their work on the scheme.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Note the findings of the review on the Westhive Civic Crowdfunding scheme to date and introduce the following enhancements to the Council’s approach to grant giving:
i. Continue with the 3rd year of the Spacehive contract
ii. Consider the benefits and implications of CIF funding being made available on the platform in 2025/2026
iii. Increase the maximum Council pledge to £12,000 or 75% of the project total, whichever is less.
iv. Launch a small grant scheme to complement the Westhive programme in consultation with Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities.
Lead officer: Heather McCulloch
12/03/2025 - Publica Phase Two Transition Plan ref: 410 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
Councillor Andy Graham, the Leader of the Council, introduced the item stating that the purpose of the item was to consider the Transition Plan, to note its contents and to approve the recommendations therein. Councillor Graham explained that some of the services formerly provided through Publica had already been brought back under the Council, and that this was phase two of that process. Services under phase two would be brought back on 1 July 2025. Councillor Graham noted that the staff involved in these services were relied on, gave a professional service to the Council, worked cohesively with the Executive and did a fantastic job and it was therefore important that this was recognised. Areas to be brought back under this phase were Property & Estates, Waste, Leisure and Project Management.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, commented that it was fortunate that the Council had embarked on such changes prior to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) as this would put the Council in a position to make transition into the new authority easier and as such it was a welcome step.
Councillor Andy Graham, the Leader of the Council, proposed accepting the recommendations.
Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader, seconded the recommendations
RESOLVED:
That the Executive recommend to Full Council to:
1. Approve the implementation of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition on the basis of the Phase 2 Transition Plan.
2. Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council the decision to deal with any final detailed matters arising from the Phase 2 Transition Plan.
3. Delegate authority to the Director of Governance in liaison with the Leader to update the Constitution by making any consequential changes required as a result of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition.
Agree carry out a budget re-basing for the 2026/7 financial year so that the funding provided to Publica is proportionate to the services received.
Lead officer: Giles Hughes
12/03/2025 - Homeless Prevention Strategy 2025-2028 ref: 411 Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Decision Maker: Executive
Made at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Decision published: 13/03/2025
Effective from: 21/03/2025
Decision:
The purpose of the item was to present a new Preventing Homelessness Strategy to support the Council’s statutory duties towards those households facing homelessness.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, introduced the proposal, stating this was a new strategy to tackle homelessness at its root and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. Councillor Saul stated that at the time of the meeting rough sleeping in West Oxfordshire was recorded as at zero, however just one-person rough sleeping was too many. The strategy intended to step in early with the right support and offer stable housing to tackle the issue. It was proposed that this would lead to a stronger more sustainable community. The strategy also aligned with the Council’s statutory duties in this area. In 2023/24 over 250 people were prevented from becoming homeless, with 95 households going into emergency accommodation. The Strategy looked to expand housing options to offer long term stable solutions.
In discussing the item, other members of the Executive thanked officers and Cllr Saul for their work on the strategy and said that it would help tackle the issues faced by residents at risk of homelessness.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, seconded the recommendations.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Approve the implementation of the Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2025-2028.
Lead officer: Caroline Clissold