Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Oxfordshire Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Summary
Open Council Network is an independent organisation. We report on Oxfordshire and are not the council. About us
The Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 17 March 2026, approving the Local Transport Delivery Plan for submission to the Department for Transport and adopting the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place Plan. The Cabinet also noted the council's treasury management activity for the first three quarters of the financial year and approved updates to fees and charges for Environment & Highways.
The Cabinet approved the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) for submission to the Department for Transport (DfT), delegating authority to the Director of Environment & Highways to make changes to specific schemes within the agreed programmes. This plan outlines how the council will prioritise and spend the £244.8 million allocated by the DfT for local transport over the next four years, aligning with the council's strategic plan to create a greener, fairer, and healthier Oxfordshire. The plan includes significant investment in bus services, active travel, highways maintenance, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
The Cabinet also approved the adoption and publication of the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place (MAP) Plan. This plan, which replaces previous area strategies, sets out a vision for sustainable, connected, and healthy places, prioritising walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport. It includes 13 objectives and 83 actions aimed at improving the urban and rural environment, enhancing connectivity, and supporting the council's climate action framework. The plan acknowledges the significant growth planned for Bicester and its surrounding villages, including potential new town developments, and aims to balance this with the preservation of rural character and biodiversity.
In financial matters, the Cabinet noted the council's treasury management activity for the first three quarters of 2025/26, reporting a net overachievement of £7.215 million in investment income due to higher than forecast balances and interest rates. The Cabinet also approved supplementary estimate requests totalling £3.6 million for election costs, Bicester Motion, and Woodeaton Manor Special School, and agreed to write off corporate and adult social care debts totalling £320,000. The significant deficit in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block was noted, with a forecast deficit of £74.0 million for 2025/26, increasing the cumulative deficit to £166.5 million. The Cabinet also approved updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways.
Regarding capital programmes, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge in the capital programme with a budget of £8.608 million, funded from various sources including developer contributions and council resources. The updated ten-year capital programme now stands at £1.535 billion.
Finally, the Cabinet approved the preferred approach for reprovisioning the management of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), opting for an 8-year contract with flexibility for Local Government Reorganisation. This includes exploring the capital purchase of HWRC plant and equipment. The Cabinet also noted the council's forward plan and future business items, and received a response to a scrutiny item regarding the Virtual School.
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.
-
Appointments
Recommendations ApprovedOxfordshire Cabinet decided to approve recommendations on 17 March 2026. Councillor Dan Levy was appointed to the Thames Valley Fire Control Services Joint Committee.
-
Apologies for Absence
Recommendations ApprovedOxfordshire Cabinet approved recommendations on 17/03/2026. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Fawcett and Ben Higgins.
-
Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2026. The Cabinet approved the Oxfordshire County Council Social Value Policy and agreed to move the council's social value approach in-house. The Cabinet also approved the Oxfordshire Climate Action Framework 2026-2030. The Cabinet noted the HR & Cultural Change - Quarterly Employee Data Report for Quarter 3 2025-26 and noted the items identified for forthcoming meetings.
-
Local Government Reorganisation in Oxfordshire: Statutory consultation response (TO FOLLOW)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet Member for Transport Management decided on 25 January 2024 to approve the conversion of the footway on the east side of the A4144 Woodstock Road between the A40 Wolvercote Roundabout and Blandford Avenue to a shared-use footway and cycle track. This decision includes carrying out vegetation clearance and investigating the provision of a continuous cycle track across the Blandford Avenue junction.
The Cabinet Member for Transport Management decided on 25 January 2024 to approve the proposed one-way traffic restriction in the southern section of Chapel Lane, Enstone. This decision includes the planned signing and lining associated with the proposal.
The Cabinet decided on 17 March 2026 to approve the submission of three consultation responses to the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government regarding local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire. Authority was delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader, to make any non-material changes to the text or formatting of these submissions.
-
Questions from County Councillors
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 17/03/2026. The Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action will investigate site staff advising people to turn up without appointments. The Cabinet Member for Transport Management will provide detail on the growth of the Local Transport Grant.
-
Forward Plan and Future Business
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council noted the Forward Plan and Future Business on 17 March 2026. The Economic Development Strategy item was deferred from 17 March 2026 to 21 April 2026.
-
Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedCabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 17/03/2026.
-
Movement and Place Plans
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved the Bicester and Surrounding Villages Movement and Place Plan on 17 March 2026. The plan aims to create sustainable, connected, and healthy places by prioritising walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport. It includes a 25-year delivery programme with 13 objectives and 83 actions.
-
Local Transport Consolidated Funding Settlement - Local Transport Delivery Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved the Local Transport Delivery Plan on 17 March 2026. The plan outlines the proposed programme for local transport over the next four years. The decision delegated authority to the Director of Environment & Highways to make changes to specific schemes and projects within the agreed programmes.
-
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) - Management Reprovision
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations regarding the Household Waste Recycling Centres management reprovision on 17 March 2026. The decision approved the preferred approach for reprovisioning the service and authorised officers to commence procurement for a new eight-year management contract. This includes exploring the capital purchase of plant and equipment and delegating the contract award decision to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action.
-
Reports from Scrutiny Committees
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations from Scrutiny Committees on 17/03/2026. The Cabinet will respond to the Education and Young People Overview & Scrutiny Committee regarding Local Area Partnership Monitoring and Priority Action Plans and Education Otherwise Than At School Guidance. The Cabinet will also respond to the Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee regarding Road Safety and Repairing of Defects and Superusers.
-
Business Management & Monitoring Report - Performance and Risk - Quarter 3 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations from the Business Management & Monitoring Report on 17 March 2026. These included approving supplementary estimates for election costs, Bicester Motion, and Woodeaton Manor Special School, writing off corporate and adult social care debts, and approving updates to Fees & Charges for Environment & Highways.
-
For information only: Cabinet response to Scrutiny item
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations on 17/03/2026. The Council will continue targeted attendance interventions and resource the Virtual School, strengthen communication with governing boards and social workers, and deliver dedicated training for school governors.
-
Petitions and Public Address
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 17 March 2026. The decision covered reports from Scrutiny Committees on road safety, local transport plans, treasury management, business performance, dedicated schools grants, capital programmes, and property acquisition.
-
Urgent decision relating to the acquisition of a property/lease in Oxfordshire. (TO FOLLOW)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 17 March 2026. They agreed to the acquisition of three leases and delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer to negotiate and agree final terms, and to conclude negotiations and complete legal documentation.
-
Capital Programme Update and Monitoring Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council approved recommendations on 17/03/2026. They noted the capital monitoring position for 2025/26 and approved the updated Capital Programme. This included the inclusion of Milton Heights Bridge into the capital programme with a budget of £8.608m.
-
Update on High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Funding and Deficits
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations on High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding and deficits on 17 March 2026. The Cabinet noted the update on the treatment of High Needs DSG deficits up to 31 March 2026, approved the mid and worst-case forecast deficits for 2026/27, and noted the planned funding for the residual element of the deficit.
-
Treasury Management Q3 Performance Report 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council decided to approve recommendations on 17/03/2026. The council's treasury management activity for the first three quarters of 2025/26 was noted.
Attendees
Topics
No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.
Meeting Documents
Additional Documents