The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on Friday 12 June 2026 to review a range of council performance reports and strategic updates. Key discussions were scheduled to include the Business Management and Monitoring Report with a focus on the Fire and Rescue Service, an update on the Council's Commercial Strategy, and a report on Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy. The committee was also set to consider its forward work plan and responses to previous scrutiny recommendations.

Business Management and Monitoring Report (focusing on the Fire and Rescue Service)

The committee was scheduled to consider the Business Management and Monitoring Report, with a particular focus on the performance and financial position of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Community Safety Service. The report indicated an overspend of £0.5 million against a budget of £32.6 million for the combined service area. It also detailed capital expenditure on vehicles and equipment, noting that the Carterton Community Safety Centre project was on hold. Performance metrics for the Fire and Rescue Service, including average response times and business compliance visits by Trading Standards, were presented as being Green for the year. The report highlighted that the work of the Fire and Community Safety services primarily supports the council's ambitions to Tackle inequalities in Oxfordshire and Prioritise the health and wellbeing of residents.

Commercial Strategy Update

An update on the Council's Commercial Strategy was presented, outlining progress made since its approval in March 2024. The strategy aims to embed commercial thinking across the council's culture and governance to optimise efficiency, generate revenue, support the local economy, and enhance public services. Key implementation milestones included the redesign of the Financial & Commercial Services and the appointment of a new Head of Commercial & Procurement. The report highlighted the acquisition of the Castle Quarter site in Oxford as a demonstration of a changed commercial behaviour, expected to provide a net surplus of £550,000 per annum. The strategy is guided by six principles: Commercial Awareness, Value Creation, Strategic Thinking, Resourcefulness, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Collaboration. The report noted that £2.4 million in contract and third-party savings were identified in FY2025/26, with a further £1.44 million recorded in FY2026/27.

Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy

The committee was scheduled to review an update on Shaping Oxfordshire's Future Economy, which summarised work undertaken to analyse Oxfordshire's economy, strategy map, and institutional landscape. The report indicated that Oxfordshire has an exceptionally strong economy, generating around £28 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), with particular strengths in innovation, life sciences, digital industries, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. However, it also highlighted challenges such as productivity lagging behind comparators, a tight labour market, and housing affordability. The report proposed the development of a near-term Oxfordshire Investment & Productivity Plan, to be overseen by a collaborative partnership, to address these constraints and enable businesses and residents to navigate the period of Local Government Reorganisation. The analysis identified four priority spatial areas for focused economic intervention: Banbury and Bicester, Oxford City, Science Vale, and West Oxfordshire.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. The proposed work plan included future scrutiny of the Business Management Monitoring Report with a focus on Resources, AI benefits, IT and IT security updates, Marmot Integration, and a review of the Council's proposed budget. Overview items were also scheduled on Communications and Marketing, and the Council's approach to Social Value.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was asked to note the Cabinet's responses to previous scrutiny recommendations. These included responses to reports on the Business Management and Monitoring Report (CEF Focus) and Budget Proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31. Draft responses from Cabinet relating to reports on the Business Management and Monitoring Report (Public Health Focus), Parking Permits, and Social Value were also presented. The responses indicated that Cabinet had accepted, partially accepted, or rejected various recommendations from the committee regarding these issues. For example, regarding Parking Permits, Cabinet accepted the need for improvements to the online system and acknowledged the urgency of reviewing the CPZ and parking strategy. Regarding the Draft Social Value Policy, Cabinet accepted the need for a holistic approach and to draw on best practice, but rejected the recommendation to develop a bespoke Themes, Outcomes, and Measures (TOMs) framework, opting instead for a more flexible in-house approach.