The Oxfordshire Council Cabinet met on 18 November 2025 and approved a new countywide rail strategy, changes to the waste acceptance policy for household waste recycling centres, and a policy for offsetting residual carbon emissions. The Cabinet also discussed and approved the budget and business planning report for 2026/27 - 2030/31, and received updates on scrutiny items, performance, risk, and employee data.

OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail Strategy

The Cabinet approved the OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail as a daughter document to the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. The plan was drafted with input from the rail industry, district councils, key businesses, and bus operators. Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, proposed changes to the plan, which the Cabinet agreed to. The changes related to the development of options for medium- to longer-term mass rapid transit for the Carterton–Witney–Oxford corridor.

Changes to Waste Acceptance Policy

The Cabinet approved changes to the Waste Acceptance Policy (WAP) for Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) following a six-week public consultation. The changes include the introduction of new fees and charges commencing from January 2026: £5.50 per 1m x 1m volume for asbestos, and £15 per car visit for out-of-county customers. The Cabinet also agreed to delay reduced opening hours and days of operation, for implementation through the new service in 2027.

Carbon Management Plan Residual Carbon and Offsetting Policy

The Cabinet approved the Carbon Management Plan Residual Carbon and Offsetting Policy, which outlines how the council will approach offsetting the residual emissions from the Carbon Management Plan in the lead up to and from 2030. The council has committed to becoming carbon neutral¹ by 2030. The policy targets high-integrity use of carbon credits² that maximise local benefits, and includes an action plan to enable progress towards acquiring carbon credits and support growing the market for local carbon removal projects.

Budget and Business Planning Report 2026/27 - 2030/31

The Cabinet noted the Budget and Business Planning Report 2026/27 - 2030/31 and approved a five-year period for the medium-term financial strategy to 2030/31 and a ten-year period for the capital programme to 2035/36. The Cabinet noted the budget and business planning process timeline and next steps, including the late announcement of the outcome of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation and the potential impact on funding over the medium term. The Cabinet also noted the requirement for the council to set a sustainable balanced budget for 2026/27 which shows how income will equal spending plans.

Reports from Scrutiny Committees

The Cabinet received reports from the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Business Management and Monitoring Report (with a focus on Children, Education and Families) and from the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Verge and Vegetation Management and OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail Strategy. The Cabinet will respond to the reports in due course.

Response to Motion by Councillor Creed on Children's Centres

The Cabinet agreed to the response to the motion passed at Council on 9 September 2025 regarding Children's Centres.

Response to Motion by Councillor Hanna on Healthwatch Oxfordshire

The Cabinet noted the response to the Motion by Councillor Jane Hanna on Healthwatch Oxfordshire at Council on 9 September 2025. Healthwatch Oxfordshire is an independent organisation that champions the views of patients and the public about health and social care services in Oxfordshire.

Treasury Management Mid-Term Review 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the council's treasury management activity for the first half of 2025/26 and recommended that Council also note the council's treasury management activity in the first half of 2025/26.

HR and Cultural Change - Quarterly Employee Data Report - Quarter 2 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the HR and Cultural Change - Quarterly Employee Data Report - Quarter 2 2025-26. The report provides details of key people numbers and analysis of main changes since the previous report.

Capital Programme Approvals - November 2025

The Cabinet approved a budget increase of £2.518m from £10.8m to £13.318m to the A4130 Steventon Lights scheme, which is to be funded from a combination of funding sources.

Review of Member Champions

The Cabinet agreed to propose an update to the Council's Constitution (part 8.5, Member Champion Role) to the Audit and Governance Committee (26th November 2025) and for agreement at Council (9th December 2025).

Business Management & Monitoring Report - Performance and Risk Quarter 2 2025/26

The Cabinet noted the Business Management & Monitoring Report - Performance and Risk Quarter 2 2025/26 and its annexes.

Forward Plan and Future Business

The Cabinet noted the items currently identified for forthcoming meetings.