The Executive of West Oxfordshire Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the transition to a new community grants platform, the future of shared service providers Publica and Ubico, and the council's financial and service performance. Key decisions included approving the move to Crowdfunder UK for community grants and endorsing the business plans for Publica and Ubico.

Public Participation: Woodstock Open Air Pool Concerns

Councillor Sharon Parnasse from Woodstock Town Council raised concerns about misleading publicity materials and unauthorized banners related to the Woodstock open-air pool. She questioned whether the council would acknowledge the misleading imagery and text, issue a public apology, remove the unauthorized banner, and disclose specific capital investment for pool facility upgrades. The Executive stated they would provide a written response to these concerns.

Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Executive discussed recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. They agreed to take forward recommendations 5-7 regarding all-day parking provision on the upper decks of Marriott's Walk car park. However, they did not agree with recommendations 1-4 concerning Woodford Way, stating that work suggested in these recommendations was already being undertaken. The Executive also agreed in part with recommendation 1 regarding the Community Safety Partnership and fully agreed with recommendations 2 and 3.

Supporting Community Services - Crowdfunder UK Approach

The Executive approved the proposed application and assessment processes, criteria, eligibility, and monitoring for a new grants scheme to be hosted by Crowdfunder UK. They also delegated authority for award decisions to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Members for Stronger Healthier Communities and Arts, Culture and Sport. This move from Spacehive is expected to make more funds available to community groups, as Crowdfunder UK offers a more cost-effective platform with no platform fees for applicants. The Council will pay an annual hosting fee of £15,600 to Crowdfunder UK. The Executive also agreed to notify ward members when an application is submitted in their ward.

Publica Business Plan 2026-28

The Executive endorsed the Publica Business Plan for 2026-2028 and requested that the Leader, as shareholder representative, recommend its adoption to the Publica Board. This two-year plan focuses on preparing Publica and its services for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), with Year 1 dedicated to preparation and Year 2 to implementation. The plan acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the future shape of local government in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire but aims to provide clarity and support for Publica's employees during this transition. Councillor Enright praised the resilience and ingenuity of Publica's staff, including Ms. Gore and Mr. Wilson, for their work during this period of change.

Ubico Business Plan 2026-27

The Executive noted the Ubico Business Plan for 2025-26 and will note the approval of the 2026-27 plan in due course, subject to feedback. Councillor Enright commended Ubico for its flexibility and success, particularly in achieving high recycling rates and its work with Oxfordshire County Council. Councillor Wray also endorsed the plan, highlighting Ubico's balance between economies of scale, operational efficiency, and adapting to the changing local government context. The plan shifts focus from growth to scaling services and becoming more intelligent in operations, aligning with the Council's Net Zero 2030 target. Wiltshire Council is set to join the Ubico family on 1 August.

2025/26 Quarterly Service Review Q4

The Executive noted the Q4 service performance report, which indicated that overall performance remained strong, with most services meeting or exceeding targets. Good progress was noted in the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy, regeneration programmes like Salt Cross Garden Village, community support funding, and climate and environmental initiatives. Key areas performing well included council tax collection, customer satisfaction, and planning determination times. However, processing times for housing benefit and council tax support remained above target due to case complexity and demand. Recycling rates were below target for the quarter, reflecting seasonal trends, though still strong nationally. Leisure visit figures were also below target for the quarter due to data capture issues, but annual figures exceeded targets.

Councillor Prosser highlighted progress on creating a better environment, including a park nature recovery area in Carterton and the completion of the Coronation Community Orchard Scheme, which saw 392 trees planted across 25 new orchards. He also noted the significant progress on the decarbonisation of the Windrush Leisure Centre. Councillor Saul reported improvements in housing benefit performance and highlighted good news stories on homelessness prevention and the delivery of 352 new affordable homes against a target of 274. Councillor Ray noted that while recycling rates had dropped slightly, West Oxfordshire still performed significantly above average nationally, ranking 14th out of 164 waste collection authorities. The Executive agreed to consider incorporating video clips into future recycling campaigns, as recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Financial Performance Report 2025/26 Year End

The Council delivered a strong financial position with a final surplus for the year of £203,155, exceeding the originally budgeted modest contribution to the general fund. This improved position was driven by strong income performance in trade waste and development management, higher than expected treasury investment returns (£800,000), and cost efficiencies including lower one-off costs related to the Publica review and refunds from partners. The Council plans to strengthen its financial resilience by transferring resources into earmarked reserves to support key priorities and manage future risks, including Local Government Reorganisation, waste and environmental services, investment in council assets, and support for priority housing. The Executive recommended carrying forward £4,395,180 of the capital budget, approving transfers to earmarked reserves, and approving necessary budget virements related to Publica Phase 2.

Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

The Executive approved amendments to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy, including new provisions for pubs, live music venues, and small businesses. They also delegated authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, to make future amendments regarding electric vehicle charging points and forecourts. This policy update follows recent government announcements on business rate reliefs and aims to support local businesses while aligning with the Council's priorities.

Procurement and Contract Management Strategy

The Executive approved an updated draft Procurement and Contract Management Strategy. This strategy sets out how the Council will deliver value for money, high-quality services, and broader social, economic, and environmental outcomes. It responds to changes including the Procurement Act 2023 and upcoming Local Government Reorganisation, ensuring the Council remains compliant, resilient, and commercially effective. Councillor Enright highlighted the importance of the policy in supporting effective use of taxpayer money and the local economy.

Appointments to Outside Bodies 2026-28

The Executive noted the appointments to outside bodies for the 2026-28 civic year, as set out in Annex A. These appointments represent key bodies where the Council sends representation, including strategic bodies and organisations pertinent to the district. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Andy Graham, noted that these appointments reflect partnership working and ensure effective communication with communities and strategic bodies.