Here is a summary of the topics the Oxfordshire Council Cabinet intended to discuss on 15 July 2025. The meeting included discussion of the Climate Action Programme, the Minerals and Waste Local Plan, and the conversion of Woodeaton Manor School to an academy. Also on the agenda were the Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) Policy, the Connect to Work Programme, and the Oxfordshire Travel and Transport Citizens' Assembly.

Climate Action Programme

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive a six-monthly update on the Climate Action Programme, including the development of a new Circular Economy Plan. The Circular Economy Plan itself was up for adoption. The report pack stated that the plan is based on three principles:

• Designing out waste and pollution
• Keeping materials and products in use for longer
• Regenerating natural cycles and systems

The Climate Outcomes Dashboard was also to be noted, with highlights including progress in decarbonising the council's estate and operations, a significant increase in renewable generation, the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and a more than 200% increase in volunteering hours through the Community Action Group network since 2021.

Minerals and Waste Local Plan

The Cabinet was to consider the future of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, and were asked to approve the cessation of the preparation of the new Minerals and Waste Local Plan under the current plan-making process. Instead, they were asked to authorise the production of a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan under the new plan-making process in accordance with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The report pack noted that the provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 had not yet been brought into force.

Woodeaton Manor School

The Cabinet was scheduled to discuss financial and land agreements relating to the conversion of Woodeaton Manor School to an academy. Woodeaton Manor School is a foundation school for children with social and emotional difficulties, and it is converting to academy status under Propeller Academy Trust (PAT) following the issue of a Directive Academy Order.

The Cabinet was asked to approve:

• Oxfordshire County Council retaining maintenance and repairs of the school building after it converts to academy status, at an annual cap of up to £0.2m per annum, for a period of between 2-4 years until the school can be relocated to new accommodation.
• Funding to support the trust with adaptations to the building to meet the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) requirements of current students.
• An enhanced level of revenue funding for Woodeaton Manor School, starting on the date of academy conversion (scheduled for 1 October 2025) and being reviewed on an annual basis.

The Cabinet was also asked to note the options relating to the land transfer and to approve the delegation of authority to the Director of Children's Services to finalise and execute the necessary documentation to meet the Department for Education (DFE) timescales for academisation.

Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) Policy

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider and approve a draft policy and parents' guide for Education Other Than At School (EOTAS). The report pack stated that Oxfordshire County Council is required to implement a policy for the delivery of EOTAS, as highlighted by the SEND inspection in 2023. The Cabinet was also asked to request an annual review of the policy.

Connect to Work Programme

The Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the Connect to Work (CtW) Programme, a supported employment programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Cabinet was asked to authorise the council to enter into grant funding agreements with the DWP to develop and deliver the Connect to Work Programme, and to authorise the council to take receipt of grant funding in its role as Accountable Body.

The report pack noted that the CtW programme aims to support individuals outside the workforce and facing disadvantages to get into and stay in work. Eligible target groups include disabled people, offender/ex-offenders, carers/ex-carers, homeless people, former members of HM Armed Forces, people with an alcohol or drug dependency, and care experienced young people/care leavers.

Oxfordshire Travel and Transport Citizens' Assembly

The Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the proposed response to the 2025 Oxfordshire Travel and Transport Citizens' Assembly. The Cabinet was asked to approve the council's initial response to the 20 recommendations developed by the citizens' assembly, support the development of a work programme to take forward the recommendations, and support the deeper involvement of communities in transport policy development.

The report pack included the full report of the Citizens' Assembly prepared by MutualGain, and a table setting out the council's proposed initial response to the citizens' assembly's 20 recommendations.

Future Civil Enforcement Contract Models

The Cabinet was scheduled to discuss future civil enforcement contract models. The Cabinet was asked to endorse the approach and proposals surrounding the civil enforcement contracts, and to authorise the Director of Financial and Commercial Services to prepare and commence the procurement of new contracts for Civil Enforcement Services, Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Software and Technology, a Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) Checker, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras.

The Cabinet was also asked to endorse the Director of Financial and Commercial Services to explore collaboration with neighbouring authorities to enable some of the contracts to be utilised by other large authorities.

Treasury Management

The Cabinet was scheduled to note the Treasury Management 2025/26 Outturn report, and to recommend Council to note the council's treasury management activity and outcomes in 2024/25. The report pack noted that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA's) 'Code of Practice on Treasury Management 2021' requires that the committee to which some treasury management responsibilities are delegated, will receive regular monitoring reports on treasury management activities and risks.

Budget & Business Planning

The Cabinet was scheduled to note a report providing an overview of the proposals included in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, and to delegate the approval of the response to the consultation to the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation.

Business Management & Monitoring Report

The Cabinet was scheduled to note the Business Management & Monitoring Report, which sets out the initial revenue forecast and expected outlook for the financial year, and includes updates on financial risks, the savings and investment position, and funding notified since the budget was agreed.

The Cabinet was also asked to approve a £3.5m transfer from budgets held centrally to Adult Services to meet the financial pressure on contracted costs for the provision of social care, and to approve virements¹ relating to funding changes.

Capital Programme Monitoring Report

The Cabinet was scheduled to note the capital monitoring position for 2025/26, and to approve the updated Capital Programme.

The Cabinet was also asked to approve the inclusion of several projects into the capital programme, including:

• St Joseph's, Thame
• Safe Space
• Redbridge Redevelopment
• Cinder Track improvements, Route 2 of the South and Vale Active Travel Network (SVATN)
• The A420 (Oxford) Safer Roads Fund
• Bus Service Improvement Delivery Plan 2025/26
• Data Centre Hardware Refresh

The Cabinet was also asked to approve an increase in budget of the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange Scheme.

Finally, the Cabinet was asked to agree the inclusion in the capital programme of grant funding updates and allocations, and to note the reduction in the over-programming of the ten-year capital programme.

Reports from Scrutiny Committees

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider reports from Scrutiny Committees on:

• S.19 of the Education Act
• EOTAS Policy
• Home to School Transport Policy

The Cabinet was also scheduled to note cabinet responses to scrutiny items, including reports on Network management, Local Area Partnership SEND Update, Rail Strategy, Local Economic Partnership Integration, and the Business Management and Monitoring Report.