The County Council convened on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to discuss a range of important matters, including the review of the Council's Constitution, annual reports from scrutiny committees, and proposed motions from councillors on issues such as support for individuals with Motor Neurone Disease, climate adaptation, and parking enforcement. The meeting also included the consideration of the Cabinet's report and updates on committee appointments.

Scrutiny Annual Reports

The Council was scheduled to receive and note the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26, which details the work undertaken by the scrutiny committees throughout the year. This report, prepared by the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, provides an overview of the committees' activities and recommendations.

Additionally, the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) was due to present its Annual Report for 2025/26. This report documents the committee's work over the municipal year, fulfilling its constitutional duty to report on its activities.

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution

A report from the Audit and Governance Committee outlined proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution. These amendments, developed by the Constitution Working Group and endorsed by the Audit and Governance Committee, aimed to refine various aspects of the Council's governance framework. The Council was asked to approve these changes, note amendments made by the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, and request that the necessary updates be made to the Constitution prior to its final publication.

Use of Urgency Provisions

The Council was scheduled to note the exemption from the standard 'call-in' process for a decision made by the Cabinet on 16 June 2026 concerning the SEND Reform Plan. This exemption was granted due to the urgency of submitting the plan to the Department for Education by 19 June 2026, a deadline that would have passed before the usual call-in period expired.

Committees and Review of Political Balance

The Council was to consider a review of the political balance of its committees, reflecting the current formation of political groups following Councillor Higgins joining the Liberal Democrat group. Based on these updated calculations, the Council was requested to appoint members to the various committees as detailed in Annex 2 of the report.

Motions from Councillors

Several motions were scheduled for discussion:

• Motion from Councillor Lee Evans: This motion called for a review of the County Council's role in the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to ensure timely assessments and adaptations for individuals living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The review was to report to the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee on current delivery, timeliness, potential improvements, and adherence to target timeframes.
• Motion from Councillor James Barlow: This motion highlighted climate impact as the Council's highest strategic risk, referencing the Oxfordshire Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment which identified flooding and extreme heat as growing concerns. The motion requested that the Cabinet consider significantly increased investment to accelerate climate adaptation capacity and capability, and to support location-specific initiatives for flood mitigation and heat island reduction.
• Motion from Councillor Bethia Thomas: This motion addressed the issue of dangerous parking, particularly pavement parking, and its impact on those with limited mobility. The Council was asked to endorse the objective to end pavement parking, commit to supporting civil enforcement powers in a cost-neutral manner, and request the Cabinet Member for Transport to oversee the introduction of an enforcement mechanism. The motion also called for the Leader of the Council to write to the Minister for Local Transport requesting further resources for effective implementation.

Report of the Cabinet

The Council was to receive a report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Tim Bearder, noting items discussed at Cabinet meetings held on 17 March, 21 April, and 19 May 2026. This report provided an overview of executive decisions and discussions.

Questions and Official Communications

The agenda also included provisions for official communications, questions with notice from members of the public and members of the Council, and the opportunity for petitions and public address.

Declarations of Interest

Members were reminded of their duty to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests orally at the meeting, specifying the nature of the interest and the relevant agenda items. Guidance on declaring interests was provided.