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Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 12 November 2025 10.00 am

November 12, 2025 View on council website

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Summary

The Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on 12 November 2025 to discuss a range of topics including rail infrastructure, local government reorganisation, and movement and place plans. The committee was scheduled to review reports and consider recommendations to be made to the cabinet.

Local Government Reorganisation

The committee was scheduled to discuss the council's proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) before it was to be considered by the cabinet on 13 November. Councillor Liz Leffman, the Leader of the Council, Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Lorna Baxter, Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer (Deputy Chief Executive), and Helen Mitchell, Programme Director: Local Government Reorganisation were expected to be present to answer questions.

The committee was provided with copies of alternative proposals from other councils for LGR in Oxfordshire.

OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail

The committee was scheduled to discuss the OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail following a public consultation, before it was due to be submitted to the cabinet for approval. Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Pete Brunskill, Rail Development Lead, were invited to present the report and answer questions.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and s106 Improvement Programme Update

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2024/2025 and an update on the Section 106 Improvement Programme1. Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and other members of the Programme Board were invited to present the report and answer questions.

Update: Movement and Place Plans

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Movement and Place Plans. Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment, and Climate Action, Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, and Ashley Hayden, Transport Policy and Strategy Team Lead, were invited to present the report and answer questions.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Improvement

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Fire and Rescue Improvement Programme. Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Cabinet member for Community Safety, and Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety, were invited to present the report and answer questions.

Other Business

The agenda also included the following items:

  • Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments
  • Declaration of Interests
  • Approval of the minutes of the meetings held on 24 September 2025
  • Petitions and Public Addresses
  • Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker
  • Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations regarding the Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge2
  • Committee Forward Work Plan

  1. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community and infrastructure. 

  2. A congestion charge is a fee levied on vehicles entering a specific area, typically a city centre, during certain hours. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion and encourage the use of public transport. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorDr Nathan Ley
Councillor Dr Nathan Ley  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorDiana Lugova
Councillor Diana Lugova  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorLiam Walker
Councillor Liam Walker  Leader of the Opposition Group Oxfordshire Alliance •  Oxfordshire Alliance (Conservative Party Member)
Profile image for CouncillorBethia Thomas
Councillor Bethia Thomas  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorThomas Ashby
Councillor Thomas Ashby  Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety •  Oxfordshire Alliance (Conservative Party Member)
Profile image for CouncillorChris Brant
Councillor Chris Brant  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorLaura Gordon
Councillor Laura Gordon  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorEmily Kerr
Councillor Emily Kerr  Deputy Leader of the Green Group •  Green
Profile image for CouncillorLesley McLean
Councillor Lesley McLean  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for CouncillorSusanna Pressel
Councillor Susanna Pressel  Shadow Cabinet Member for Public Health & Inequalities •  Labour and Co-operative Group
Profile image for CouncillorLeigh Rawlins
Councillor Leigh Rawlins  Liberal Democrat

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet Wednesday 12-Nov-2025 10.00 Place Overview Scrutiny Committee.pdf

Reports Pack

Minutes Public Pack 24092025 1000 Place Overview Scrutiny Committee.pdf
Minutes Public Pack 24092025 1400 Place Overview Scrutiny Committee.pdf
Public reports pack Wednesday 12-Nov-2025 10.00 Place Overview Scrutiny Committee.pdf

Additional Documents

Annex 1 OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail.pdf
Annex 4 OxRAIL 2040 CIA.pdf
IFS 24_25 App 2 New agreements.pdf
Place OSC report Movement and Place Plans.pdf
Annex A. Movement and Place Plan - Science Vale.pdf
Annex B. Movement and Place Plan - Bicester Mid Cherwell.pdf
Annex D - Movement and Place Plans Risk Management.pdf
Fire Improvement Programme Report - Place OSC.pdf
Place OSC report - LGR.pdf
LGR Cabinet report - for 13th Nov 25.pdf
Annex 1 - OneOxfordshireProposal.pdf
Annex 4 - JM LGR invitation to leaders Oxfordshire Final.pdf
Annex 5 - EIA for One Oxfordshire.pdf
Place Recommendation Tracker 12.11.25.pdf
Cabinet Response to Place OSC Recommendations - Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge.pdf
Item 12 Annex 2 - Oxford Shires and Ridgeway Councils Wednesday 12-Nov-2025 10.00 Place Overvi.pdf
Place OSC Work Programme November.pdf
Place OSC report OxRAIL.pdf
Annex 2 OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail Executive Summary.pdf
Annex 3 OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail EqIA_r1.pdf
Annex 5 OxRAIL 2040 - Consultation Report.pdf
Scrutiny Report IFS Nov 25.pdf
Infrastructure funding statement 2024_25 - Place Scrutiny 12 Nov 25.pdf
IFS 24_25 App 1 Expenditure.pdf
IFS 24_25 App 3 Contributions received in 24_25 unspent.pdf
IFS 24_25 App 4 Summary table.pdf
Annex 2 S106 Improvement Programme - Appendix for IFS.pdf
Item 12 Annex 3 - North Oxfordshire Ridgeway and Greater Oxford Councils Wednesday 12-Nov-2025 .pdf
Annex C - Movement and Place Plans Programme.pdf
Item 12 - Annex 1 - Appendices 1-7 Wednesday 12-Nov-2025 10.00 Place Overview Scrutiny Committe.pdf
Item 12 Annex 1 Appendices 1-7.pdf