The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on Friday 16 January 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of the council's budget proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31, a discussion on the refresh of the Social Value Policy, and consideration of the committee's forward work plan.

Budget Proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31

The committee was scheduled to consider the council's draft budget proposals for the upcoming five-year period. This included reviewing proposed changes to revenue and service budgets, proposed fees and charges for 2026/27, and capital schemes for inclusion in the capital programme. The report highlighted the significant financial challenges facing the council, including a projected deficit in 2026/27 and increasing deficits in subsequent years, largely due to funding reductions and increased demand for services. The provisional local government finance settlement for 2026/27 was published shortly before the meeting, and its implications were still being understood. The budget proposals aimed to align with the council's Strategic Plan 2025–2028, which focuses on a greener, fairer, and healthier Oxfordshire. The report detailed proposed changes across various service areas, including Adult Services, Children's Services, Environment & Highways, Economy & Place, Public Health & Communities, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue, Resources and Law & Governance, and Transformation, Digital & Customer Experience. The committee was asked to provide comments and recommendations to the Cabinet.

Social Value Policy Refresh

A draft of the refreshed Social Value Policy was presented for consideration. The policy aimed to move the council's social value approach in-house, away from third-party delivery platforms. Key elements included removing associated fees, streamlining the evaluation process, and reducing administrative burdens for both contract managers and suppliers. The policy established five local social value priorities: Early Careers Opportunities, Supported Employment, Local Area Regeneration, Youth Engagement and Support, and Healthy Lives; Healthy Future. For procurements over £100,000, two priorities would be selected, each weighted at 5%, contributing to a combined 10% social value weighting in tenders. Suppliers would be required to submit a Social Value Delivery Plan (SVDP) outlining commitments, milestones, and SMART measures. The report also detailed exemptions, contract management procedures, non-compliance measures, and governance for the policy.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker

The committee was scheduled to note the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from earlier meetings. This item served to track the implementation and outcomes of decisions made by the committee in prior sessions.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was asked to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This would involve reviewing and potentially amending the existing work plan, taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report. The aim was to ensure the committee's work programme remained relevant and aligned with the council's strategic priorities.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was to note the Cabinet's response to recommendations previously made by the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning Devolution. This item allowed the committee to review how the Cabinet had addressed its prior scrutiny recommendations.