The Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Oxfordshire Council met on Wednesday 12 November 2025 to discuss a range of significant local issues. Key topics scheduled for consideration included plans for the future of rail travel in Oxfordshire, updates on infrastructure funding and improvement programmes, and proposals for local government reorganisation. The committee also reviewed progress on movement and place plans and received an update on the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service improvement programme.

OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail

The committee was scheduled to consider the OxRAIL: 2040: Plan for Rail report, which outlines proposals for the future of rail travel in Oxfordshire. This plan was to be presented by Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, alongside Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Pete Brunskill, Rail Development Lead. The committee was expected to review the report, raise questions, and potentially agree on recommendations to be made to the Cabinet.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and s106 Improvement Programme Update

A report on the Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2024/2025 and an update on the Section 106 Improvement Programme were scheduled for discussion. Councillor Judy Roberts, Robin Rogers, and members of the Programme Board were expected to present and answer questions. The committee was to consider the report and agree on any recommendations for the Cabinet.

Update: Movement and Place Plans

The committee was set to receive an update on the Movement and Place Plans. Councillor Judy Roberts, Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways, and Ashley Hayden, Transport Policy and Strategy Team Lead, were scheduled to present and address the committee's questions. The committee was to consider the update and agree on any recommendations for the Cabinet.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Improvement

An update on the Fire and Rescue Improvement Programme was on the agenda. Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Cabinet member for Community Safety, and Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety, were invited to present the report and answer questions. The committee was to consider the update and agree on any recommendations for the Cabinet.

Local Government Reorganisation - One Oxfordshire Proposal

A significant item on the agenda was the Council's proposal for Local Government Reorganisation, specifically the One Oxfordshire proposal. Councillor Liz Leffman, the Leader of the Council, Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Lorna Baxter, Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, and Helen Mitchell, Programme Director: Local Government Reorganisation, were scheduled to present and answer questions. The committee was to consider the report and agree on any recommendations for the Cabinet. Alternative proposals from other councils for Local Government Reorganisation in Oxfordshire were also to be provided.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker

The committee was scheduled to note the progress of previous recommendations and actions arising from earlier meetings.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The Cabinet's response to the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on the Oxford Temporary Congestion Charge was to be noted by the committee.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was expected to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings, taking into account the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Budget Management Monitoring Report.

The committee's responsibilities include scrutinising climate change, transport, highways, planning, and place-based services, as well as regulatory services, fire and rescue, community safety, and community services such as libraries. The committee also acts as the Council's 'Crime and Disorder Committee'.