The Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss several key items, including an update on Movement and Place Plans for West Oxfordshire Lowlands and Kidlington, and a progress report on active travel recommendations. The committee also received a presentation from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police.

Thames Valley Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, presented the annual report on progress against the Police and Criminal Justice Plan. He highlighted a 6.2% reduction in neighbourhood crime and a 12% decrease in knife crime across Thames Valley. Chief Superintendent Benedict Clark reported that recorded crime in Oxfordshire had fallen by just under 2%, with approximately 16% of offences solved. Superintendent Euan Livingstone, Head of the Roads Policing Unit, noted a concerning increase in road fatalities and serious injuries in Oxfordshire during the reporting year, despite a longer-term decline.

Members raised concerns about crime investigation and safeguarding, particularly regarding violence against women and girls, and the absence of a dedicated rape investigation unit. The Commissioner acknowledged these concerns and stated that the force was reviewing delivery models. Discussions also covered interventions for stalking and obsessive behaviour, cybercrime, and the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing.

Movement and Place Plans Update: West Oxfordshire Lowlands and Kidlington and the Surrounding Villages

The committee received an update on the Movement and Place Plans (MAP Plans) for West Oxfordshire Lowlands and Kidlington and the surrounding villages. These plans are subsidiary documents to the council's Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) and aim to provide detailed strategies for transport and place-making in specific areas.

For the West Oxfordshire Lowlands MAP Plan, officers presented a revised version following public consultation. Key themes from the consultation included concerns about car parking provision and demand management, with over half of respondents being aged 55 or older. The plan aims to address challenges such as car reliance, traffic congestion on the A40, and limited public transport options, particularly in rural areas. It outlines objectives and actions for improving walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport, shared mobility, and infrastructure.

Regarding the Kidlington and the Surrounding Villages MAP Plan, officers presented the consultation version and sought further feedback. This plan also aims to create healthy communities through safe and accessible active travel routes and reliable public transport, linking people to key destinations. It addresses challenges such as severance caused by physical barriers, the need for better bus services in rural areas, and improving rail connectivity.

During the discussion on the Movement and Place Plans, members raised several points:

• West End Link Road: Concerns were expressed about the omission of the West End Link Road from the West Oxfordshire Lowlands plan, with members arguing it should remain a potential future option and its options reconsidered in future reviews.
• Parking: Members stressed the importance of protecting free parking and existing capacity in Witney, and that any future changes should involve Witney Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
• Consultation: The committee emphasised the need for earlier and more meaningful engagement with residents, town and parish councils, and local members, and that consultations should be visual, accessible, and held at times that allow broad participation.
• A34 Resilience: The committee urged National Highways to complete a strategic A34 study and resilience plan.
• Rail Freight: Future iterations of the MAP Plans should consider the potential role of rail freight and rail-connected logistics.
• Kidlington Development: The Kidlington and the Surrounding Villages MAP Plan needs to more clearly outline how the transport implications of major committed and proposed developments will be incorporated.

The committee AGREED to make the following recommendations to Cabinet: ensuring early and sustained engagement with affected parties for Movement and Place Plans, designing consultations to reach a broader audience, retaining the West End Link Road as a potential option, encouraging a strategic A34 study, considering rail freight, and clarifying the incorporation of transport implications for major developments in the Kidlington plan.

Transport Working Group (Active Travel) Update

The committee received an update on progress made against the recommendations of the Transport Working Group concerning active travel. Progress has been made on most recommendations, with the Council securing £100,000 for auditing active travel routes and over £20 million for capital and revenue schemes. An online map of proposed routes and delivery status is nearing publication. Members welcomed the progress but highlighted the need for a countywide strategic view.

The committee AGREED to receive further information on how much funding had been secured from partner organisations.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker and Forward Work Plan

The committee NOTED the action and recommendation tracker. The forward work plan was AGREED, with the Local Transport and Connectivity Monitoring Report to be considered instead of the OxBus 2040 item, which was deferred to a later meeting. New items proposed for future scrutiny included museums and libraries, Environment Agency enforcement, road safety with National Highways, and a further update on OxRail.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee NOTED the Cabinet's responses to reports on road safety, minerals and waste planning, the flag-flying protocol, the unauthorised waste disposal site near Kidlington, bus services and rural transport, and School Streets.

The minutes of the meeting on 24 June 2026 were AGREED as a true and accurate record.

The meeting concluded at 12:52 pm.