The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Oxfordshire District Council met on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss the work of the Community Safety Partnership and the proposed development at Woodford Way car park. The committee heard about the challenges facing the Community Safety Partnership due to a significant reduction in its budget and debated the details of the Woodford Way development, including housing provision, parking, and community benefits.

Community Safety Partnership

Councillor Saw introduced the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), explaining its statutory duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to reduce crime and disorder. The CSP's rolling plan for 2024-2027 prioritises 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 particular focus for the coming year will be on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, and antisocial behaviour.

A significant concern raised was the anticipated 40% reduction in the CSP's budget due to a lower-than-expected Home Office grant. This reduction is expected to impact projects and potentially lead to job losses. Councillors expressed concern about the potential impact on vital work, particularly in areas like violence against women and girls.

Discussions also touched upon public perception of crime, with councillors noting a disconnect between reported crime statistics and public feeling. The committee explored how councillors could play a role in addressing these perceptions by being well-briefed and communicating accurate information.

Specific issues raised included a surge in vehicle crime in the Witchwoods area, which did not appear to align with broader statistics on rural acquisitive crime. The committee discussed the importance of continued reporting and advocacy from councillors to ensure police action. The theatre-based Violence Against Women and Girls project was highlighted as a positive initiative, though its funding is under threat due to budget cuts.

The committee also discussed the rise in hate crime and racial hate crime, with a suggestion to explore educational programmes in schools and other community settings. The success of the safe places scheme was acknowledged, with discussions on its potential expansion and continuation under future local government structures.

Concerns were raised about the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the CSP, though it was noted that the partnership has a legal duty that should ensure its continuation in some form. The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the future of their functions post-abolition were also discussed, with uncertainty about how these responsibilities would be absorbed.

The committee considered the possibility of West Oxfordshire District Council using its discretionary funds to safeguard important projects threatened by budget cuts, with a recommendation to explore this further once the specific impact of the funding reduction is clearer.

Woodford Way Car Park Development

Councillor Saul introduced the proposed development at Woodford Way car park, which is allocated for housing in the local plan. The aim is to deliver 100% affordable homes for social rent, addressing the significant housing waiting list in the district, particularly for one and two-bedroom properties. The scheme is expected to be supported by national funding and partnership investment. The current proposal includes approximately 55 homes, a mix of flats and maisonettes, with undercroft parking for residents and 84 public parking spaces.

Extensive discussions took place regarding parking provision. Concerns were raised about the methodology of the parking survey, with requests for ANPR data from the Chamber of Commerce. The underutilisation of the Marriott's Walk multi-storey car park was noted, and discussions explored extending parking durations and overnight options. Councillors debated the potential impact of reducing public parking at Woodford Way on town centre accessibility and trade, with suggestions for trials of parking restrictions and the potential inclusion of the Waitrose car park in any trials.

The principle of developing on council-owned land for social rent was welcomed, but there were calls for demonstrable community benefits beyond housing, including a well-designed community room. The potential for higher density buildings, such as five or six-storey flats, was discussed, with consideration given to the impact on the town's skyline and the need for a balance between housing numbers and design quality.

The financial viability of the 100% social rent model was a key point of discussion, with questions about potential funding gaps and the reliance on Homes England grant funding. The committee explored the possibility of a plan B in case the 100% social rent model proves unviable.

Environmental considerations, including a net-zero carbon approach and the removal and replanting of trees, were also mentioned. The design of the development, including the placement of parking, communal spaces, and pedestrian routes, was scrutinised, with concerns raised about potential social division and stigma associated with clustered housing types and the proximity of housing to car parks.

Several recommendations were made, including:

• Requesting that the council write to ask for the 40% funding for the CSP to be reconsidered.
• Exploring the potential for using discretionary funds to safeguard important projects.
• Ensuring accuracy in design plans, including existing trees and building floor levels.
• Obtaining up-to-date ANPR data for parking occupancy over a two-week period.
• Conducting a trial of parking restrictions or closures to measure impact.
• Considering an additional design option that preserves more parking to the south of the site.
• Producing a full report on displaced parking and its impact on surrounding streets.
• Ensuring adequate provision for mother and toddler parking spaces.
• Hastening the timings for parking restrictions in the Marriott's Walk car park.
• Incorporating the Waitrose car park into any parking trials.
• Ensuring the development comes back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee before the planning stage.

The committee also discussed changes to the committee work programme, proposing a separate meeting for the local plan on 2 June 2026, with other agenda items to be discussed the following day. The Chair, Councillor Andrew Beaney, was elected for the civic year 2026/27, and Councillor Genny Early was appointed Vice-Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 March 2026 were approved.