The Cabinet of Oxfordshire Council was scheduled to discuss a range of financial and strategic matters, including the budget for the upcoming years and plans for learning disability services. The meeting agenda also included proposals for transport infrastructure and updates on various council monitoring reports.

Budget and Business Planning 2027/28 – 2030/31

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the council's financial planning for the period between 2027/28 and 2030/31. This included a review of charges for services in 2026/27, with specific attention to the Registration Service charges for 2027/28 and 2028/29. The agenda also covered the approval of the Financial Strategy for 2026/27 and the Earmarked Reserves and General Balances Policy Statement for the same year. Key proposals included the creation of a new Lane Rental reserve and the renaming of the Demographic Risk Reserve to the High Needs DSG Deficit Risk Reserve. The use of retained business rates from the EZ1 Science Vale Growth Accelerator and EZ2 Didcot Growth Accelerator was also scheduled for discussion.

Furthermore, the Cabinet was to consider recommendations for the council tax and precept calculations for 2026/27, including a proposed precept of £567,372,274 and a council tax for band D equivalent properties of £2,006.78. The meeting also included a review of the Capital and Investment Strategy and Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2036/37, encompassing the Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology Statement and Prudential Indicators. The Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27 were also on the agenda, alongside new capital proposals and the approval of the capital programme. Notably, a budget reduction of £7.1m originally allocated for a new mortuary was scheduled for discussion, as was the return of the full budget allocation of £4.5m for the Council's exit from Joint Use Agreements. A £2.0m reduction in the budget for the East Oxford Active Neighbourhoods programme was also to be considered.

Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan 2025 - 2035

The development of a new co-designed Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan for adults, spanning from 2025 to 2035, was scheduled for acknowledgement. This included the co-produced Dynamic Work Plans and an update on progress made to date.

My Life My Choice Councillor Deal

The Cabinet was set to acknowledge and endorse a report developed in collaboration with My Life My Choice (MLMC) Campaign Champions. This included confirming the county council's commitment to work with MLMC Community Champions on three pledges, provided they fall within the council's remit and the scope of the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan 2025-2035. The commitment may be subject to review following the outcomes of Local Government Reorganisation.

Movement and Place Plans - Science Vale

The adoption and publication of the Introduction Chapter for all Movement & Place Plans were scheduled for approval. This chapter provides overarching context and supports specific plans. Additionally, the Science Vale Movement and Place Plan, along with its supporting documents, was proposed for adoption and publication.

LTCP Monitoring Report 2024-2025

The meeting agenda included the approval of the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) Monitoring Report for 2024-2025 for formal publication. The Cabinet was also to be updated on the progress made in delivering the LTCP to date.

Revenue Update and Monitoring Report (November 2025)

This report was scheduled for noting, along with its annexes. Key points included the transfer of £1.2m funding for investments relating to Rail and Flood planning to the Budget Priorities reserve for use in 2026/27. The report also noted anticipated supplementary estimate requests to be funded from General Balances, specifically for Bicester Motion (approximately £0.5m) and the write-off of the Woodeaton School deficit balance due to its transfer to academy status (approximately £2.2m). The write-off of 16 Adult Social Care contribution debts totalling £0.477m was also to be approved. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block 2025/26 forecast and accumulated deficit position were to be noted, as was the creation of a new Budget Reserve and the addition of £5.5m forecast additional interest on balances in 2025/26. An update on Local Government Re-organisation and Devolution was also on the agenda.

Capital Programme Approvals - January 2026

The Cabinet was scheduled to approve the inclusion of £5.0m funding into the capital programme for Duke's Cut Wolvercote Bridge Works.

Reports from Scrutiny Committees

The Cabinet was to receive reports from the Performance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Budget and Business Planning, Fix my street, and a Business Management and Monitoring Report with a Public Health Focus. Reports from the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning The Virtual School, Attainment, and Fostering were also scheduled.

Forward Plan and Future Business

The meeting agenda included an update of the Forward Plan and proposals for future business. Cabinet members were invited to identify any further changes they wished to be incorporated into the next Forward Plan update.

For Information Only: Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Item

A Cabinet response to the Business Management and Monitoring Report (Children, Education and Families Focus) was listed for information only.