The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on Friday 12 June 2026 to review a range of council performance reports and strategies. Key discussions were scheduled to include updates on the Business Management and Monitoring Report, with a specific focus on the Fire and Rescue Service, the Council's Commercial Strategy, and a report on Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy. The committee was also set to consider its forward work plan and review Cabinet's responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Business Management and Monitoring Report (focusing on the Fire and Rescue Service)

The committee was scheduled to consider the Business Management and Monitoring Report, with a particular emphasis on the performance and financial standing of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. This report, presented by Councillor Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Resources, and Councillor Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, alongside officers including Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety, was intended to provide an overview of the service's financial position, performance against key indicators, and any strategic risks. The report indicated an overspend of £0.5m for the Fire & Rescue Service and Community Safety Service Area against a budget of £32.6m. It also noted that the service held £3.4m in reserves. Performance measures for the Fire and Rescue Service were reported as Green for the year. The committee was asked to consider the report and make any recommendations it wished to Cabinet.

Commercial Strategy Update

An update on the progress of the Council's Commercial Strategy was scheduled for discussion. Presented by Councillor Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, alongside Ian Dyson, Director of Financial and Commercial Services, and Richard Scarlett, Head of Procurement and Commercial, this item aimed to review the implementation of the strategy approved in March 2024. The strategy's vision is to leverage Oxfordshire's assets to optimise organisational efficiency, generate revenue, support the local economy, and enhance public services. The report highlighted progress in areas such as the Financial & Commercial Service redesign, the acquisition of the Castle Quarter site in Oxford, and the implementation of six key principles: Commercial Awareness, Value Creation, Strategic Thinking, Resourcefulness, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Collaboration. The report indicated that £2.4m of contracts and third-party savings were identified in FY2025/26, with a further £1.44m recorded in FY2026/27. The committee was asked to note the progress made and agree to the continued implementation of the strategy.

Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy

The committee was set to receive an update on Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy, presented by Councillor Gordon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Nicholas Glover, Head of Future Economy. This item was to summarise the analysis undertaken on Oxfordshire's economy, its strategy map, and institutional landscape. The report highlighted Oxfordshire's economic strengths, including its innovation intensity and high-value firm formation, while also noting challenges such as lagging productivity and a tight labour market. The analysis suggested a need for a focused, near-term Investment & Productivity Plan, particularly in the context of Local Government Reorganisation. The report proposed developing this plan to align existing programmes, support businesses through near-term pressures, and ensure that current decisions do not undermine future agendas. The committee was asked to note the work undertaken and the proposal to develop an Oxfordshire Investment & Productivity Plan for Cabinet approval in July 2026.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This would involve reviewing any changes from previous iterations and taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to note the Cabinet's responses to previous reports from the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. These included responses on the Business Management and Monitoring Report, Parking Permits, and the Draft Social Value Policy. The minutes from previous meetings on 17 April 2026 and 12 May 2026 were also presented for approval.