The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council is scheduled to meet on Friday 18 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the council's devolution update, the integration of social value principles, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, the committee will review its forward work plan and consider responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Devolution Update

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, along with Lorna Baxter, Deputy Chief Executive (S.151 Officer), and Rose Sutton, Interim Programme Manager (Devolution), are scheduled to present an update on devolution. The report highlights a shift in national policy towards mayoral strategic authorities, with an ambition for all of England to be covered by such an authority by the end of 2028. Leaders across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley remain supportive of devolution in principle but have not yet reached a consensus on the government's current offer, citing concerns about geography, powers, deliverability, and alignment with strategic service boundaries. The report also notes the interdependencies between devolution, Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and the future organisation of strategic services across the Thames Valley. The committee is asked to note these points and support continued officer engagement with government departments and Thames Valley partners to develop a robust proposition for future devolution arrangements.

Integrating Social Value

Councillor Dan Levy, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, Lorna Baxter, Deputy Chief Executive (s.151 officer), and Max Button, Commercial Excellence Lead, are expected to present a report on the council's integration of Social Value principles. The report outlines the range of socially valuable activities undertaken across the council and recent efforts to coordinate these initiatives for maximum impact. It differentiates between core services and discretionary efforts that deliver social value beyond statutory responsibilities. The report details collaborations with partners such as Oxford University Development, MGroup, and local business groups, and discusses how these initiatives contribute to the council's strategic priorities. The impact of LGR on the delivery of socially valuable activity is also addressed, with a focus on championing county-wide initiatives until vesting day and shaping social value approaches for new authorities. The committee is recommended to note the range of activities and endorse the council's continued championing of community impact.

AI Usage and Benefits

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Kit Collingwood, Interim Director of Technology and Customer Experience, and Alastair Read, Head of IT Services, are scheduled to present a report on the council's usage of AI and its benefits. Oxfordshire County Council began its AI work in 2024 with a pilot of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which has since been rolled out more widely. The council also utilises specialist AI tools such as Beam for social care staff and Zoom AI for resident contact. The report details the progress made in providing staff with access to AI, the current usage levels, and how usage is monitored. While significant progress has been made in adoption, the next stage will focus on demonstrating clear service benefits, improving measurement, ensuring safe use, and confirming where AI adds real value, whether financial, process, or people-related. The report highlights that while individual benefits have been observed, realising financial savings is proving more challenging. The committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee is recommended to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This includes reviewing changes from previous iterations and taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan. The forward work plan outlines topics for future meetings, including budget scrutiny, updates on children's services, and appraisals of projects like the Botley West Solar Farm.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee is asked to note the Cabinet's response to the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee's report on the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy. The Cabinet's responses detail how they have accepted, rejected, or partially accepted the committee's recommendations regarding the CAT policy, including aspects related to the sale of land, the transfer of dilapidated buildings, and the legal framework.