The West Oxfordshire District Council Executive met to discuss the Community Infrastructure Levy, review public toilet provision, and consider a report on service performance. The council approved recommendations for the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule, a growth request from Ubico, and a report on service level agreements.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule

The Executive approved recommendations to formally adopt the District Council's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, following an independent examination. The recommendations will now go to the full council for approval.

The CIL is a charge on new developments, which helps to fund infrastructure improvements. Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, explained that the levy applies to most new builds to help fund infrastructure across the district.

The independent examiner's report recommended a modification (EM1) to reduce the proposed rate for larger residential developments of 250 or more homes from £225 per square metre to £150 per square metre, excluding strategic development areas. A further modification (EM2) includes minor drafting amendments.

The charging schedule identifies the following CIL rates (£ per m²) for residential uses:

• £225 for residential district-wide developments of less than 250 homes (Greenfield).
• £150 for residential district-wide developments of 250 homes or more (Greenfield), excluding defined strategic sites.
• £125 for residential district-wide developments on previously developed land.
• £25 for 100% flatted only developments district-wide.
• £0 for defined strategic sites, including Salt Cross Garden Village, West Eynsham, North Witney, East Witney, and East Chipping Norton.

The charging schedule also identifies the following CIL rates (£ per m²) for non-residential and commercial uses:

• £125 for large format retail, such as supermarkets, food stores and retail warehousing.
• £0 for all other non-residential development.

The Executive also recommended that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to further progress work on the draft CIL Implementation Plan in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning.

Public Toilet Review

The Executive agreed to work with town and parish councils and the Public Convenience Task and Finish Group to explore options for transferring public toilet assets, either on long leases or freehold.

Where transfer cannot be achieved, the council agreed to retain facilities at Langdale Gate in Witney, Guildenford and High Street in Burford, Bampton Town Hall, New Street in Chipping Norton, Hensington Road in Woodstock and Kilkenny Country Park. A further report will be prepared regarding the repairs and improvements required to ensure good quality facilities are provided.

Where transfer cannot be achieved, the council agreed to terminate leases at the Town Hall in Chipping Norton and Charlbury.

Where transfer cannot be achieved, the council agreed to close facilities at The Leys, Witney, Browns Lane, Woodstock, Back Lane, Eynsham, Black Bourton Road in Carterton which are in the Council's ownership and consider options such as conversion, lease or sale of the buildings.

The review considered current provision of public conveniences in each location, costs, income and building condition. The aim is to provide a balance between the continued provision of good quality public toilet facilities, protect essential facilities into the future and to reduce the financial burden on the Council.

The Executive also delegated authority for the terms of any disposals arising from recommendation 1 to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Councillor Alaric Smith.

Quarterly Service Review

The Executive noted the 2025/26 Q1 service performance report.

The report highlighted positive performance in areas such as council tax and non-domestic rates collection, planning determination times, and customer satisfaction. The number of affordable homes delivered also exceeded the quarterly target.

However, the report also noted challenges, including processing times for council tax support and housing benefit change events, which remained above target due to operational adjustments linked to Universal Credit automation. Additionally, the percentage of household waste recycled continued to decline, impacted by seasonal factors and broader national trends.

3 Year Service Level Agreements

The Executive delegated to the Director of Place, Phil Martin, in consultation with the Executive Member for Stronger Healthy Communities, Councillor Rachel Crouch, to explore the feasibility of securing a legacy position for the Voluntary and Community Sector in this year's budget setting round to continue to offer a multi-year funding arrangement from 2027-2030.

The report provided a summary of the performance at the end of Year 1 of all 7 organisations receiving grant funding. Furthermore, it considered the Council's appetite for offering future multi-year funding once this current arrangement comes to an end in March 2027.

Oxfordshire Local Area Energy Planning

The Executive delegated authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, Councillor Andrew Prosser, to approve the remaining Phase 1 key deliverables of the Oxfordshire local area energy planning project programme. Subject to the completion of Phase 1, the Executive agreed to proceed to Phase 2 of the Oxfordshire local area energy planning project programme and the completion of a districtwide local area energy plan.

West Oxfordshire District Council response to the draft Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

The Executive endorsed the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy for publication by Oxfordshire County Council.

Quarterly Finance Review

The Executive noted the Council's Financial Performance for Quarter One 2025-2026.

Decision Taken Under Urgency Powers: Ubico Growth Request

The Executive noted the decision taken by the Chief Executive Officer, Giles Hughes, under urgency powers, relating to a Ubico growth opportunity.

Review of the Ubico Shareholder Agreement & Ubico Board Member Appointments

The Executive approved the termination of the shareholders' agreement between West Oxfordshire District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Stroud District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, and Ubico Ltd that was entered into in January 2020.

The Executive approved the proposal to enter into a replacement Shareholders' Agreement between the above parties and the proposal in relation to the number of votes for each shareholder, further amending the agreement.

Leisure Planned Investment Programme

The Executive resolved to allocate funds in the Capital Programme for the delivery of a 5-year planned investment programme, as determined by the latest condition surveys conducted at all Council owned Leisure Facilities.

The Executive delegated authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with Executive member for Leisure and/or the Section 151 Officer to approve the project specific procurement of works and services directly, or via the Leisure Operator to deliver the programme of works over the agreed time period.