The Transport, Environment, Communities & Climate Change Select Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 03 February 2026 to discuss progress on the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy, the annual report on Community Boards, and updates on the East West Rail project. The committee will also review performance indicators for the second quarter of 2025-2026.

Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy

The committee is set to evaluate the progress of the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy. This will involve reviewing the annual progress report for 2024-2025, which details activities undertaken by the council to meet the strategy's aims and objectives. Key highlights from the report indicate a significant reduction in the council's net emissions, with a 73.6% decrease compared to the 1990 baseline, and a forecast that the council is on track to stay within its first carbon budget. The report also notes consistent year-on-year improvements in local air quality, leading to the revocation of four Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Contributors to this discussion include Councillor Ade Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment, Hannah Joyce, Head of Spatial Planning & Climate Resilience, and Alexander Beckett, Climate Change & Flood Risk Manager.

Community Boards

An update on the Community Boards will be presented, focusing on the new eight-board model introduced in April 2025. This model aims to deliver local priorities with a dedicated budget of £250,000, fostering collaboration and community connection. The report highlights that the boards are now focused on collaboration-led solutions rather than solely funding-led projects, leveraging existing community assets. Key priorities identified across the boards include strengthening communities, youth engagement, health and wellbeing, support for older people, environmental improvements, and the public realm. Contributors to this item are Councillor Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, Sophie Payne, Service Director for Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Wendy Morgan-Brown, Head of Partnerships & Communities.

East West Rail

The committee will consider reports on the East West Rail (EWR) project and its impact on the local community. The report details the completion of construction for Connection Stage 1 (CS1), which involved reopening the Oxford to Bletchley line, and the ongoing close-out activities. It also addresses the progress of future connection stages (CS2 and CS3), including the council's representations to the East West Rail Company regarding environmental impacts, highway concerns, and the crucial Aylesbury Link. The report notes that while CS1 construction is complete, issues such as road repairs, public rights of way handovers, and the finalisation of Winslow Railway Station and its car park are ongoing. Contributors include Councillor Thomas Broom, Cabinet Member for Transport, Steve Bambrick, Corporate Director for Planning, Growth & Sustainability, Richard Barker, Corporate Director for Communities, Hannah Austin, Service Director HIF & Major Projects, and Daniel Gigg, Infrastructure Delivery Manager. Representatives from the East West Rail Alliance, East West Rail Company, and Network Rail are also expected to attend.

Q2 Performance Indicators for 2025 to 2026

The committee will review the Q2 performance indicators for 2025 to 2026. This will provide an overview of the council's performance across various areas, including transport, environment, communities, and climate change, against set targets.

Public Questions

The committee will also hear from members of the public who have submitted questions in advance relating to items on the agenda. The Cabinet Member, relevant key partners, and responsible officers will be invited to respond to these questions.