The County Council of Oxfordshire met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues. The agenda included a review of the previous meeting's minutes, reports from the Cabinet, and a discussion on the council's treasury management performance. Several motions were also scheduled for consideration, addressing healthcare, infrastructure, climate change, and social care.

Report of the Cabinet

The council was scheduled to receive a report summarising decisions made by the Cabinet in June, July, and August 2026. This report would have provided an overview of key decisions taken by the Cabinet during that period.

Treasury Management Annual Performance Report 2025/26

A report detailing the council's treasury management activities and outcomes for the financial year 2025/26 was scheduled for discussion. This report, prepared by the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), would have outlined the council's borrowing and investment position as of 31 March 2026, measuring performance against the budget agreed in February 2025. The council was recommended to note the treasury management activity and outcomes for the year.

Committees and Review of Political Balance

A report concerning committees and a review of political balance was expected to be circulated on Monday 7 September 2026, following a by-election in the Chesterton and Launton division. This report would have informed any necessary adjustments to committee memberships based on the updated political balance of the council.

Notification of Amendments to the Constitution by the Monitoring Officer under Delegated Powers

The Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer had made several amendments to the council's Constitution. These changes were intended for clarification, to reflect new legislation, and to give effect to decisions made by the Council and the Leader of the Council. The council was recommended to note these amendments, request that the necessary changes be made, and acknowledge that a final edit for layout and grammar would be undertaken before publication.

The amendments included:

• Giving effect to a council decision to delegate authority to committees to fill vacancies if a political group leader fails to provide a nomination within three weeks.
• Reflecting a decision by the Leader of the Council to appoint one or more Deputy Cabinet Members, who would have a non-statutory, advisory role without delegated decision-making powers.
• Clarifying that members of the public could be excluded from part of a meeting where exempt information was discussed, rather than necessarily the entire meeting.
• Complying with procedures for situations where the normal 28-day notice for an exempt report or annex was not possible due to the urgency of a decision.

Motions with Notice from Members of the Council

Several motions were scheduled for consideration by the council:

Motion from Councillor Paul-Austin Sargent

This motion expressed support for the re-housing of the Brodey Cancer Centre into a refurbished building on the Horton General Hospital site in Banbury. It also requested that the Leader of the Council write to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust to urge expeditious steps for the relocation and to request a clear timetable for the project.

Motion from Councillor Emma Markham

This motion highlighted concerns that large-scale developments were proceeding without adequate infrastructure, such as roads, water, and sewerage capacity keeping pace. It also noted issues with developers building infrastructure that was not formally adopted by authorities, leaving residents reliant on unmaintained systems. The motion called for the Leader to write to the Secretaries of State for Housing and DEFRA, urging that housing targets be matched to genuine infrastructure capacity. It also requested that the Cabinet review Section 38 agreements to ensure appropriate development standards and timely adoption of infrastructure.

Motion from Councillor Bethia Thomas

This motion recognised the county's drought declaration and the increase in wildfires and uncontrolled burns linked to extreme heat, potentially indicating a new pattern due to climate change. The council was asked to consider measures to minimise the risk of uncontrolled fires, including prioritising wildfire prevention, working with rural communities, reviewing council land management, and working with Trading Standards and Licensing Authorities on fireworks. It also requested the Leader write to the appropriate Minister to seek resources for the fire service to combat large-scale fires and to explore best practices nationally and internationally, including the possibility of a total fire ban.

Motion from Councillor Liz Brighouse

This motion addressed the challenges within social care, noting the Prime Minister's commitment to reform the system. It welcomed the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care's accelerated reporting timetable and the engagement of all political parties in the process. The council was asked to resolve to promote The Big Conversation on Care across Oxfordshire, offer full support and participation, work constructively with all political groups, and for the Leader to report on local engagement outcomes and the Commission's findings.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The agenda also included items for:

• Approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 30 June 2026.
• Apologies for absence.
• Declarations of interest.
• Official Communications.
• Appointments to scrutiny and other committees, and any changes to the Cabinet made by the Leader.
• Petitions and Public Address.
• Questions with notice from members of the public.
• Questions with notice from members of the council.