The County Council of Oxfordshire Council met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to discuss the Director of Public Health's Annual Report, proposed amendments to the Officers' Code of Conduct, and several motions from councillors concerning public realm maintenance, living wages, waste recycling centres, and climate adaptation. The meeting also included a report from the Cabinet on its recent activities.

Annual Report of the Director of Public Health

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025/26. This report provides a review of Oxfordshire's progress in addressing health inequalities since the 2019/20 report, Some Are More Equal Than Others. The report is presented in an interactive website format, aiming to enhance accessibility and engagement. It draws on hyper-local information, the work of Community Health Development Officers, and collaborative efforts across districts and with voluntary and health partners. The report recommends a sustained, long-term commitment from all partners to address health inequalities, implement the Marmot recommendations, secure ongoing financial investment, and involve communities in shaping action. The Council was recommended to consider the report and support its interactive format for informing future service delivery plans.

Officer Code of Conduct (Constitutional Amendment)

A report was presented regarding proposed amendments to the Officers' Code of Conduct within the Council's Constitution. A comprehensive review had been undertaken to ensure the Code reflects current council values, working practices, and organisational requirements. The review identified and recommended substantial amendments, including an expanded scope to cover agency workers and contractors, updated council values, and new sections on health and safety, and climate and environmental considerations. The proposed amendments also clarify expectations regarding relations with Members of the Council, the public, and other officers, as well as updating guidance on the use of technology, data protection, and private interests. The Audit and Governance Committee had previously approved the revised Code, with a request to include a reference to the Nolan Principles, and recommended that the Council amend the Constitution.

Motions from Members of the Council

Several motions were scheduled for discussion:

• Pride in the Public Realm: Councillor Tom Greenaway proposed a motion highlighting the importance of clean and well-maintained pavements for neighbourhood appearance, safety, and accident reduction. The motion noted the historic withdrawal of routine weed clearance and the potential use of glyphosate by some parishes. It requested that the Cabinet seek an officer report with options for re-establishing pavement weed clearance and scheduled maintenance, including alternatives to glyphosate, and explore how the Council can support towns and parishes to reduce reliance on chemical spraying.

• Oxfordshire Living Wage: Councillor Glynis Phillips put forward a motion advocating for Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) staff to be paid the Oxford Living Wage (OLW). The motion argued that paying the OLW helps tackle in-work poverty, improves staff wellbeing and retention, and supports local economic resilience. It proposed that the Council commits to an Oxfordshire Living Wage, asking the Cabinet to include sufficient budget capacity for its implementation, ensure all new contracts require contractors to pay it, and explore expanding the OLW to an Oxfordshire Living Wage in collaboration with other local councils.

• Household Waste and Recycling Centres: Councillor Lee Evans proposed a motion acknowledging Oxfordshire County Council's past success as a waste disposal authority. The motion expressed concern that recent changes, including a mandatory booking system and the requirement for proof of address, place additional bureaucratic burdens on residents and may lead to waste being redirected or fly-tipped. It argued these rules threaten high recycling rates and risk undermining public satisfaction. The Council was asked to request the Cabinet to reconsider these rules, revoke the burdens, and return to the previous model.

• Climate Risk and Vulnerability: Councillor James Barlow submitted a motion noting that the Oxfordshire Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (2024) identifies flooding and extreme heat as significant climate risks. The motion also acknowledged that the impacts of climate and ecosystem collapse are now considered even greater than previously thought. It highlighted the need for catchment-wide, preventative approaches to build resilience and noted that adaptation measures depend on multi-year, multi-stakeholder collaboration. The motion requested the Cabinet to implement sustained and increased investment for climate adaptation and to pilot two councillor-led action groups focusing on flooding and urban heat islands.

Report of the Cabinet

A report from the Cabinet was scheduled for noting, outlining items discussed at Cabinet meetings held on 9 December 2025, 16 December 2025, 27 January 2026, and 24 February 2026. These included discussions on devolution for Oxfordshire, HR and Cultural Change, the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan, the My Life My Choice Councillor Deal, updates on infrastructure funding and transport assessments, the Science Vale Movement and Place Plan, the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan Monitoring Report, the Climate Action Framework 2026-2030, capital programme updates, budget and business planning, revenue updates, and the Social Value Policy. The Cabinet also received various Scrutiny reports.