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Summary
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The Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council met on Tuesday 18 November 2025, approving key strategies for rail development and carbon offsetting, alongside changes to waste recycling centre policies. The meeting also saw the endorsement of the budget and business planning process for the next five years and a review of the capital programme.
OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail Strategy
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of the OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail strategy. This county-wide rail strategy, developed with input from the rail industry, district councils, businesses, and other stakeholders, was approved for publication and adoption as a daughter document to the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. The Cabinet agreed to delegate to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, the authority to make final amendments to the plan. Amendments were made to the plan proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, specifically concerning the development of options for medium- to longer-term mass rapid transit for a particular corridor, and the exploration of a Carterton–Witney–Oxford Mass Rapid Transit system.
Carbon Management Plan Residual Carbon and Offsetting Policy
The Cabinet adopted a new policy outlining how the council will approach offsetting residual emissions to meet its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030. The policy aims to ensure a high-integrity use of carbon credits that maximise local benefits. The Cabinet noted the need for purchasing carbon credits and the improved clarity of terminology, using 'carbon neutral' to refer to the council's 2030 target for its estate and operations. An action plan was also noted to support the acquisition of carbon credits and the growth of local carbon removal projects.
Proposed Changes to the Waste Acceptance Policy (WAP) for Oxfordshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
Following a six-week public consultation, the Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Waste Acceptance Policy for Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres. These changes include the introduction of new fees and charges commencing from January 2026, such as £5.50 per cubic metre for asbestos and £15 per car visit for out-of-county customers. The implementation of reduced opening hours and days of operation has been delayed until 2027.
Budget and Business Planning Report 2026/27 - 2030/31
The Cabinet noted the report and the starting point for the 2026/27 budget. A five-year period for the medium-term financial strategy to 2030/31 and a ten-year period for the capital programme to 2035/36 were approved. The report also highlighted the budget and business planning process timeline and next steps, including the potential impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation on funding. The council's requirement to set a sustainable balanced budget for 2026/27 was also noted.
Capital Programme Approvals - November 2025
A budget increase of £2.518 million, from £10.8 million to £13.318 million, was approved for the A4130 Steventon Lights scheme. This increase will be funded from a combination of sources.
Response to Motion by Councillor Creed on Children's Centres
The Cabinet agreed to the council's response to a motion passed at Council on 9 September 2025 concerning Children's Centres.
Response to Motion by Councillor Hanna on Healthwatch Oxfordshire
The Cabinet noted the council's response to a motion passed at Council on 9 September 2025 regarding Healthwatch Oxfordshire.
Treasury Management Mid-Term Review 2025-26
A mid-term review of Treasury Management Activity in 2025/26 was provided, in accordance with the CIPFA code of practice. The Cabinet noted the council's treasury management activity for the first half of the financial year.
HR and Cultural Change - Quarterly Employee Data Report - Quarter 2 2025-26
The Cabinet received the quarterly staffing report, which provides details of key people numbers and an analysis of main changes since the previous report.
Business Management & Monitoring Report - Performance and Risk Quarter 2 2025/26
The Cabinet noted the report and annexes detailing performance and risk for the second quarter of 2025/26.
Review of Member Champions
The Cabinet proposed an update to the Council's Constitution regarding the Member Champion Role. This proposal will be put forward to the Audit and Governance Committee on 26 November 2025 and then to Council on 9 December 2025.
Other Business
The Cabinet also approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 October 2025. Reports from Scrutiny Committees were received, and the Cabinet will respond in due course. The Forward Plan and Future Business were noted, as were responses to Scrutiny items for information only. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Gant and Kate Gregory. There were no declarations of interest, questions from County Councillors, or appointments to report.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Apologies for Absence
Recommendations Approved...to note the apologies for absence from Councillors Andrew Gant and Kate Gregory.
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HR and Cultural Change - Quarterly Employee Data Report - Quarter 2 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 18/11/2025. The council noted the HR and Cultural Change Quarterly Employee Data Report for Quarter 2 2025-26. The report included details on workforce numbers, recruitment, turnover, and employee demographics.
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Response to motion by Councillor Hanna on Healthwatch Oxfordshire
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations on 18/11/2025. The Cabinet noted the response to a motion by Councillor Hanna concerning Healthwatch Oxfordshire. The council committed to working with Healthwatch to map their services and ensure a route for independent resident voice.
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Reports from Scrutiny Committees
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council received reports from Scrutiny Committees on 18/11/2025. Recommendations were approved, and the Cabinet will respond in due course.
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Response to motion by Councillor Creed on Children's Centres
Recommendations Approved...to support existing community-operated children's centres and develop a strategy to increase the range of services offered by them in line with government plans for new Best Start Family Hubs, prioritizing areas of greatest need, and exploring how these centres can extend the reach of the County's re-established youth service, they approved the response to the motion passed at Council on 9 September 2025.
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Capital Programme Approvals - November 2025
Recommendations Approved...it approved a budget increase of £2.518m for the A4130 Steventon Lights scheme, bringing the total budget to £13.318m, to be funded from various sources.
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Proposed changes to the Waste Acceptance Policy (WAP) for Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs)
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet of Oxfordshire approved proposed changes to the Waste Acceptance Policy for household waste recycling centres, including adopting new fees for asbestos and out-of-county customers, delaying reduced opening hours, and modifying the van and trailer permit scheme.
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Carbon Management Plan Residual Carbon and Offsetting Policy
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet of Oxfordshire approved recommendations for a Carbon Management Plan Residual Carbon and Offsetting Policy, outlining a strategy to offset residual emissions with high-integrity carbon credits, prioritizing local projects to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
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Petitions and Public Address
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations related to the OXRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail Strategy, following petitions and public addresses.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, noting that there were no declarations of interest.
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Minutes
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet of Oxfordshire approved the minutes from the meeting held on 21 October 2025 as a correct record and made several decisions regarding street lighting, bus regulation, employment, safeguarding, biodiversity, a strategic plan, developer agreement schemes, enterprise zone business rates, financial monitoring, and a fire and rescue cover model.
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Questions from County Councillors
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, as no questions were received from County Councillors.
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Appointments
Recommendations Approved...to note that there were no appointments to report at the meeting.
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Treasury Management Mid-Term Review 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 18 November 2025. The council's treasury management activity for the first half of 2025/26 was noted.
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Review of Member Champions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 18/11/2025. The Cabinet proposed an update to the Council's Constitution regarding Member Champion roles to the Audit and Governance Committee and Council.
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Business Management & Monitoring Report - Performance and Risk Quarter 2 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 18 November 2025. The decision was to note the Business Management & Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 2025/26. The report included performance and strategic risk overviews.
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OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations for the OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail on 18/11/2025. The Cabinet agreed to amend the plan to continue exploring options for mass rapid transit for the Carterton–Witney–Oxford corridor and to align text regarding this exploration.
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Forward Plan and Future Business
Recommendations Approved...to note the items identified from the Forward Plan for Forthcoming Decisions, including topics such as local government reorganisation, capital programme monitoring, infrastructure funding, updates to the Implementing Decide & Provide document, adoption of Enterprise Oxfordshire Accounts, cross-regional block contracts, Witney High Street enhancements, traffic schemes in Bicester, speed limits in Carterton and Brize Norton, school streets, disabled parking, bridge maintenance, traffic calming in Ambrosden, cycling and walking infrastructure in Wantage and Grove, pedestrian crossings in Bicester Village, parking permits in Bicester, speed limits in Oxford/Kennington, leachate treatment contracts, the Didcot Science Bridge, and Oxfordshire Community Links.
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Budget and Business Planning Report 2026/27 - 2030/31
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations on 18/11/2025. They noted the report and the starting point for the 2026/27 budget, approved a five-year period for the medium-term financial strategy to 2030/31 and a ten-year period for the capital programme to 2035/36, and noted the budget and business planning process timeline and next steps.
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For information only: Cabinet response to Scrutiny items
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations regarding Oxfordshire Employment Services, Our People and Culture Strategy, Part Night Lighting, School Catering Services and Corporate Cleaning Contract, Hire Bikes and Scooters, Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report, and OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail on 18/11/2025. The Cabinet approved recommendations to explore accreditation schemes for businesses working with Oxfordshire Employment Services, report sickness levels, review apprenticeship levy fund transfers, promote levy fund redirection, reflect good union relations, discuss employee engagement survey replacement, engage with town and parish councils on part-night lighting, outline measures for rural school catering, protect existing staff rights, and write to the Department for Transport regarding e-scooter trials. They also accepted recommendations to conduct analysis of e-scooter and e-bike schemes, integrate micromobility with park and ride sites, investigate on-street parking for e-scooters and e-bikes, deploy educational campaigns for parents and carers on online threats, and undertake work on mass rapid transit solutions for West Oxfordshire. The Cabinet partially accepted recommendations to increase the Connect to Work programme target, and include maps illustrating integrated transport networks.
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