The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy meeting is scheduled to consider a grant award for environmental action and an update to guidance on surface water drainage for major developments.

Community Action Group Project Oxfordshire Limited (CAGPOL) Grant Award

The meeting is scheduled to consider a proposal for a one-year grant funding arrangement with the Community Action Group Project Oxfordshire Limited (CAGPOL). This organisation supports over 117 grassroots community groups across Oxfordshire working on environmental issues such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, biodiversity, and food sustainability. The report indicates that CAGPOL holds over 8,000 events annually, engaging more than 120,000 attendees, and has secured significant funding for the county.

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has supported the CAG network since 2001, with funding increased in the 2022/23 budget to support climate aspirations. The proposed grant aims to continue this support, with a focus on expanding work in unengaged communities and those disproportionately affected by climate change. Key areas for the grant include developing circular economy initiatives, supporting community wealth building, connecting communities with nature, and reducing household food waste. The grant also incorporates a community garden project, funded in part by the Public Health team, to address health inequalities and create new pathways within the environmental sector. The total grant amount is £306,200, funded from Waste Management and Public Health budgets. The report highlights that this initiative aligns with OCC's 'Greener, Fairer, Healthier' agenda, supporting climate action, tackling inequalities, and promoting resident wellbeing.

Update to Local Standards Guidance for Surface Water Drainage on Major Development

The meeting is also scheduled to consider updates to Oxfordshire County Council's local standards and guidance for surface water drainage on major developments. As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), the council acts as a statutory consultee for such proposals. The current local standards, last updated in 2021, need to be revised to align with the updated National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2025.

The proposed updates aim to ensure the local guidance remains current, complements the national standards, and provides clearer, more concise information for developers. This is expected to streamline the consultation process for officers and reduce potential confusion. The updated guidance will remove references to superseded national standards, incorporate the new Defra guidance, and refine the developer checklist for required information. The report states that these changes will not alter the scope of the existing local standards but will enhance their clarity and consistency. The council's role as LLFA is recognised under Article 18 and Schedule 4 of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015¹.