The Council of West Oxfordshire District Council was scheduled to meet on 1 October 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule, proposed changes to the council's constitution, and several motions on notice concerning asylum seeker support, e-bike safety, work experience opportunities for young people, the impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and the situation in Israel and Palestine. The meeting was also scheduled to include questions from councillors to members of the executive.

Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule

The council was asked to consider formal approval of the district's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, following an independent examination. The Executive recommended that the council approve the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule with an effective date of 31 January 2026, in accordance with Section 213 of the Planning Act 2008. The Executive also recommended delegating authority to the Head of Planning to further progress work on the draft CIL Implementation Plan, in consultation with Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning.

The CIL is a charge that can be levied on most forms of development to help fund infrastructure needed to support the future growth of an area. According to the report pack, the independent examiner approved the council's charging schedule, subject to one modification: a reduction in 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.

The charging schedule identifies the following CIL rates for residential uses:

• £225 per square metre for residential district-wide developments of less than 250 homes on greenfield sites.
• £150 per square metre for residential district-wide developments of 250 homes or more on greenfield sites.
• £125 per square metre for residential district-wide developments on previously developed land.
• £25 per square metre 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 identifies a rate of £125 per square metre for large format retail, and £0 for all other non-residential development.

Options for Out of District Investment Property

The council was asked to consider a recommendation to dispose of an out-of-district property, Knights Court in Cowley, Oxford, to Oxford City Council. The recommendation was to approve the property disposal and delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, to approve the final terms of sale, including the sale price.

The property is a three-storey building that was formerly occupied by Oxfordshire County Council. It has been vacant since November 2023, costing the council approximately £150,000 per year in rates and security. According to the report pack, officers have been working with CBRE, a national agent, to market the property on a commercial basis while investigating alternative uses.

Recommendations from the Constitution Working Group

The council was asked to consider recommendations arising from a meeting of the Constitution Working Group held on 17 September 2025. The recommendations were to approve the updated Part 4G: Other Miscellaneous Functions, the updated Part 4F: Functions in relation to Planning, and the updated rules for taking part in planning committees.

The proposed changes to Part 4G of the constitution separate the asset functions into different levels, including a new category of transactions over £50,000 up to the key decision threshold of £150,000, for approval by the Director of Finance with appropriate consultation.

The proposed changes to Part 4F of the constitution relate to planning enforcement delegations. The council has new powers under the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to issue Enforcement Warning Notices and Listed Building Stop Notices. It was proposed that the serving of Enforcement Warning Notices be added to the enforcement delegations at Part 4F of the Constitution and delegated to the Senior Officer for Planning. It was also proposed that the serving of Listed Building Stop Notices be added to the enforcement delegations at Part 4F of the Constitution, with delegation to the Senior Officer for Planning. In addition, it was proposed that the Head of Legal Services be enabled to institute, defend and withdraw criminal or civil legal proceedings relating to Temporary Stop Notices for Listed Buildings, in addition to various other offences. The Constitution Working Group also recommended that Urgent Works Notices under Section 54 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 be included in Part 4F of the Constitution as being delegated to the Development Manager.

The proposed changes to the rules on taking part in planning committees clarify that public contributions must be spoken and cannot include additional materials. The proposed changes also clarify that the time allocated to those wishing to object to or support an application is intended to be used by those who have submitted objections or supportive comments as part of the planning process.

Appointments to Working Groups

The council was asked to note that Councillor Sarah Veasey has replaced Councillor Adrian Walsh on the Local Plan Working Group, and that Councillor Lidia Arciszewska has replaced Councillor David Melvin on the Local Government Reorganisation Working Group, and to ratify these changes.

Motions on Notice

• Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, reaffirming the council's pride in the local community's support for asylum seekers and stating that the council has no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney that is housing asylum seekers.
• Councillor Liam Walker, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Jane Doughty, to address the illegal and unsafe use of e-bikes in West Oxfordshire. The motion calls for the council to work with Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council to explore options for joint enforcement and awareness campaigns, launch a district-wide public awareness campaign, explore opportunities for funding community safety initiatives, and ask the Leader to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley urging greater prioritisation of enforcement against dangerous and illegal e-bike use in West Oxfordshire.
• Councillor Ruth Smith proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, asking the Executive to develop a system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places. The motion references Gatsby Benchmark 6, within Statutory Guidance updated in May 2025, which states that every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks by the ages of 16 and 18.
• Councillor Genny Early, Deputy Leader of the Green Group, proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, regarding the impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on local planning and environmental protection. The motion expresses concerns about the Bill's potential impact on biodiversity and local democracy, and calls for changes to better protect wildlife while enhancing local democracy and planning accountability.
• Councillor Andy Goodwin, Chair of Development Control Committee and Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee, seconded by Councillor Rosie Pearson, Green Party Group Leader, proposed a motion regarding the situation in Israel and Palestine. The motion calls for Hamas to end all acts of terrorism and war crimes, for the UK government to confirm it would execute ICC arrest warrants against those accused of crimes in the conflict if they visited the UK, to introduce an arms embargo on Israel, to stop trade with Israeli settlements in occupied territories, to call for the Israeli government to allow international journalists access to Gaza and to end their war crimes against Palestinians, and to set up an evacuation scheme for the seriously injured and malnourished. The motion also requests the Portfolio Holder for Finance to undertake a review of the Council's Treasury Management Strategy and to avoid investing in authorities, institutions or groups that participate in, enable, profit from or legitimise violations of human rights and international law.

Date of Next Meeting

The council was asked to agree to move the date of the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 22 October 2025 to 5 November 2025 at 2pm, and to move the date of the November Overview and Scrutiny meeting from 5 November 2025 to 4 November 2025 at 2pm.

Questions by Members

Councillor Ruth Smith asked Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy Executive, about the playing fields at Madley Park in Witney, which have not been maintained for football or other sports for a number of years. Councillor Smith asked for an update on the council's next steps to get football going again on that site.

Councillor Ruth Smith also asked Councillor Tim Sumner about the outdoor court at the Windrush Leisure Centre, and what steps can be taken to get that outdoor court up to the current specifications for basketball.

Councillor Ruth Smith asked Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, about the reasons and permissions for felling a number of trees in the council's Wood Green car park last year.