The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action meeting, held on Thursday 26 February 2026, saw the approval of the council's biodiversity action report and the authorisation of the construction contract for the HIF1 Clifton Hampden Bypass.

Biodiversity Action at Oxfordshire County Council (Jan 2023-Dec 2025)

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, approved the 'Biodiversity Action at Oxfordshire County Council Jan 2023-Dec 2025' report for publication. This report details how the council has been fulfilling its strengthened biodiversity duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, as amended by the Environment Act 2021. It summarises a range of actions implemented to conserve and enhance biodiversity, including efforts in ethical procurement, updating ecological data, increasing in-house ecological staff capacity, and designating new Road Verge Nature Reserves. The report also outlines future actions and aligns with the council's vision to make Oxfordshire a greener, fairer, and healthier county. The council was recognised as the leading county council in England for climate action and biodiversity in 2025. The report highlights the publication of the first Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Oxfordshire and details progress on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for both minerals and waste planning applications and the council's own planning applications.

Approve and Authorise the Award of the HIF1 Clifton Hampden Bypass Construction Contract

The Cabinet Member delegated authority to the Director of Environment and Highways to award the Stage Two NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract for the HIF1 Clifton Hampden Bypass scheme to John Graham Construction Limited. This decision is subject to the agreement of the target cost, the programme for the works, and the finalisation of contract terms. The Clifton Hampden Bypass is a crucial part of the wider Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) programme, designed to improve connectivity between Didcot and Culham, alleviate congestion, and support the delivery of over 12,655 new homes and significant employment growth. The scheme is fully funded through a grant agreement with Homes England, supplemented by council capital allocations, Local Enterprise Partnerships, and Section 106 contributions. The construction contract is essential to maintain programme momentum and ensure the timely expenditure of the Homes England grant, with the funding period ending in March 2028. The project includes a new relief road, roundabouts, and access junctions, along with walking and cycling facilities. The contractor will be required to provide social value, including creating local employment opportunities, minimising the carbon impact of construction, and supporting local communities.