The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Oxfordshire District Council met on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, to discuss the work of the Community Safety Partnership and the proposed development at Woodward Way car park. Discussions included exploring potential funding from West Oxfordshire's discretionary funds to safeguard important community safety projects facing budget reductions, and a detailed discussion on the Woodward Way development, focusing on housing provision, parking, and community benefits.

Community Safety Partnership

Councillor Saw introduced the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), explaining its statutory requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to reduce crime and disorder. The partnership comprises West Oxfordshire District Council, Police, Fire and Rescue, Health Partners, and Probation Services, with a rolling plan from 2024-2027. Current priorities include serious violence, drugs and alcohol, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, rural acquisitive crime, antisocial behaviour, fraud, modern slavery, and counter-terrorism.

A significant concern raised was the anticipated 40% reduction in the CSP's budget due to a lower-than-expected Home Office grant. This is expected to impact potential projects, including a theatre-based Violence Against Women and Girls project, which is currently seeking funding. Councillors expressed concern about the potential impact of these cuts, particularly on initiatives addressing domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

Discussions also touched upon public perception of crime, with councillors highlighting the need for clear communication to reassure residents about actual crime rates, which in many areas have seen a decline, with the exception of hate crime. Specific concerns were raised about a surge in vehicle crime in the Witchwoods area, prompting a commitment to investigate more granular data. The effectiveness of the Rural Crime Project was acknowledged, with a suggestion that its emphasis might be reduced due to its success.

The committee also discussed the upcoming abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners, with uncertainty about how their current functions, such as providing funding for alternative conflict resolution and chairing the Thames Valley Local Criminal Justice Board, will be managed.

A recommendation was made to explore using West Oxfordshire's discretionary funds to safeguard important projects threatened by the budget cuts. This would involve identifying specific projects and making a strong case for their importance.

Woodward Way Car Park Development

The committee extensively discussed the proposed housing development at Woodward Way car park in Witney. The site, currently a car park, is allocated for housing in the local plan, with the proposal aiming to deliver 100% affordable homes for social rent, addressing the significant housing waiting list in the district. The current design option includes approximately 55 homes, a mix of flats and maisonettes, with undercroft parking for residents and 84 public parking spaces.

Concerns were raised about the methodology of the parking survey, with the Witney Chamber of Commerce requesting ANPR data. Councillors questioned the comparison of occupancy data between Woodward Way and Marriott's Walk car parks, given different operating hours and restrictions. There was a strong emphasis on the need for demonstrable community benefits beyond housing, including a well-designed community room and priority for key workers.

Discussions also covered the design of the underground parking, with questions about security and suitability for different vehicle types. The potential for higher density buildings, such as five or six-storey flats, was explored as a way to maximise housing numbers, though concerns were raised about the impact on the town's skyline and the potential for increased housing density to exacerbate existing social divisions.

The committee debated the definition of affordable housing, with a request to consistently refer to homes for social rent to avoid confusion. The importance of environmental sustainability, including a net-zero carbon approach, was also highlighted, although details on how this would be achieved were lacking.

Several recommendations were put forward, including:

• Accurate Designs: Ensuring all designs presented are accurate, including existing trees and building floor levels.
• Updated Data: Providing up-to-date parking data, including ANPR data over a two-week period, and conducting a trial of parking restrictions or closures to assess impact.
• Option Four: Considering an additional design option that preserves more of the southern car park area.
• Displaced Parking Report: A full report on the impact of displaced parking on surrounding streets.
• Mother and Toddler Bays: Ensuring adequate provision for mother and toddler parking.
• Waitrose Car Park Inclusion: Incorporating the Waitrose car park into any parking trials or assessments.
• Hastening Multi-Storey Timings: Enshrining the recommendation to hasten the timings for the multi-storey car park to allow all-day use.
• Pre-Planning Stage Review: Ensuring the development comes back to the committee before the planning stage for further comments.

The committee noted that the public engagement timeline for the development might be overly ambitious and would be revisited. The issue of how residents can meaningfully influence the scheme after key decisions have been made was also raised.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the officers and the Chair, Councillor Andrew Beaney, for their effective management and preparation.