The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on Friday 16 January 2026 to discuss the council's budget proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31 and the refresh of the Social Value Policy. The committee also reviewed its action tracker, forward work plan, and responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Budget Proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31

The committee was scheduled to consider the council's draft budget proposals for the period 2026/27 to 2030/31. This included proposed changes to revenue and service budgets, as well as proposed fees and charges for 2026/27. The report highlighted the significant financial challenges facing the council, including rising demand for services and reductions in central government funding. The provisional local government finance settlement for 2026/27 indicated a deficit that would need to be addressed. The budget proposals were informed by resident feedback from the 2025 survey, which indicated strong support for measures such as reducing the number of council buildings and increasing digital service delivery, while opposition to raising council tax or cutting frontline services.

The report detailed the impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0, outlining changes to the allocation of funding to local government. It also provided updates on various grants, including the Children, Families and Youth Grant and the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant. The council's core spending power and council tax requirements were presented, with assumptions for annual council tax increases of 4.99% to fund adult social care and other key services.

Proposed changes to service budgets were outlined, with significant pressures identified in Adult Services and Children's Services due to demographic growth and increased costs of care packages. The report also detailed proposed investments and savings across various directorates, including Environment & Highways, Economy & Place, Public Health & Communities, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue, and Resources & Law & Governance.

The capital programme proposals included investments in high-priority schemes such as a new Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Bicester, relocation of Woodeaton Manor Special School, IT infrastructure upgrades, highway network improvements, active travel schemes, and public realm enhancements in towns and the city centre. Proposed fees and charges for 2026/27 were also detailed, with changes mainly reflecting inflationary increases.

The committee was asked to consider these proposals and provide recommendations to the Cabinet, with the understanding that any comments would be included in the Budget and Business Planning report to Cabinet on 27 January 2026.

Social Value Policy

The committee was scheduled to consider a draft refresh of the council's Social Value Policy. The report proposed moving the council's social value approach in-house, transitioning away from third-party delivery and platforms. This change aims to streamline the process, better align social value with the council's Strategic Plan 2025–2028 priorities, and remove the annual third-party cost of £19,200.

The policy establishes five local social value priorities: Early Careers Opportunities, Supported Employment, Local Area Regeneration, Youth Engagement and Support, and Healthy Lives; Healthy Future. For procurements over £100,000, two priorities would be selected, weighted at 5% each, contributing to a 10% social value weighting in tenders. Suppliers would be required to submit a Social Value Delivery Plan (SVDP) outlining commitments, milestones, and SMART measures. The policy also outlines exemptions and a mechanism for contract management, non-compliance, and service credits, capped at 10% of the contract value.

The proposal supports the Council's Strategic Plan, Climate Action Framework, Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Framework, and the ambition to become a Marmot Place by reducing health inequalities. The financial implications include removing the third-party cost, with pooled service credits ring-fenced to support projects aligned with the five priorities.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker

The committee was recommended to note the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from prior meetings. This item serves to monitor the implementation and outcomes of decisions made in previous sessions.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This involves reviewing and potentially amending its planned investigations and overview activities, taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was asked to note the Cabinet's response to recommendations previously made by the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to Devolution. This item allows the committee to review how the Cabinet has addressed their previous advice and recommendations.