The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025 to discuss economic development, electric vehicle infrastructure, and the council's performance against its strategic priorities. The committee will also review its work programme and hear updates from council directors. The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast online.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

The committee will receive an update on the progress of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Warwickshire. The report pack includes the An update on EV infrastructure progress document, which outlines key projects, progress since April 2024, and responses to feedback from the Task and Finish Group and elected members.

The report pack notes that the uptake of electric vehicles is increasing, and that CENEX projections indicate that Warwickshire will require over 3,000 chargepoints by 2030, a sixfold increase from current figures. The report pack also notes that Warwickshire County Council has secured £3.295m of capital funding through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund¹ to deliver on-street residential chargepoints in Warwickshire.

To maximise the impact of this funding, the Council began working with 14 other Midlands authorities led by the region's sub-national transport body Midlands Connect. This collaborative approach has allowed the Council to benefit from significant shared best practice in the sector, as well as economies of scale. The Consortium brought together more than £40m of public funding, creating a compelling opportunity for private sector suppliers interested in delivering charging infrastructure in England.

The report pack also mentions that Warwickshire County Council was successful in its application for £168,000 from the Department for Transport's Electric Vehicle (EV) Pavement Channels Fund, which will support the installation of cross-pavement channels, enabling residents without off-street parking to safely charge their EVs at home using domestic electricity tariffs.

Also included in the report pack is the Warwickshire County Councils Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy document, which sets out the council's vision for providing the infrastructure necessary to enable residents, businesses and communities to use electric vehicles every day and for any purpose. Also included is the Task and Finish Group Report Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy Infrastructure Delive document, which reviews the strategy, delivery and resources required to deliver a comprehensive public EV charging network in Warwickshire.

Quarter 2 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26

The committee will review the Quarter 2 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26, which provides a summary of the council's performance against its strategic priorities and areas of focus set out in the Council Plan 2022-2027.

The report pack highlights that, of the 21 Council Delivery Plan deliverables within the remit of the committee, one activity is now described as Under Performing: the target of planting a tree for every resident.

The report pack also notes that, at the end of Quarter 2, the services reporting to Communities OSC are forecasting a cumulative net service overspend of £3.822m, equivalent to 2.8% of their revenue budget, and that saving targets are forecast to be underachieved by £0.449m, representing 19% of the current year's target.

The report pack states that the strategic risk management framework is under review and the refreshed framework will be presented to Cabinet in December.

Economic Development Update

Isobel Woods, Head of Economy and Skills, is scheduled to present an update on recent economic development activity in Warwickshire. The report pack includes the Communities OS ED Update - November 2025 Final document, which provides an overview of externally and county funded programmes and activities that are supporting local business start, growth and productivity, as well as employment and skills support for local people.

The report pack notes that the Warwickshire unemployment rate has risen significantly to 4.2% in June 2025 from 2.5% in March 2025, bringing the local unemployment rate above the equivalent rate of 4.1% for Great Britain, yet below the 4.8% rate for the West Midlands region.

The report pack also notes that delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund² (UKSPF) £5.2 million transferred to Warwickshire County Council as part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal agreed in March 2024 for Business Growth, employment and skills and communities working with local district and borough partners.

WCC has submitted its six-monthly progress report to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reporting that the 2025/26 programme is on track to deliver the main outputs and outcomes agreed with MHCLG. The report pack also mentions the Warwickshire Supported Employment Service (WSES), which continues to support individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism to gain and sustain paid employment in Warwickshire.

Communities OSC Work Programme

The committee will review and update its work programme. Councillor Jonathan Chilvers, Leader of the Green Group, requested that the monitoring of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) be added to ensure progress is continuing. The COSCWork programme questionsupdated Sept25 document is included in the report pack.