Councillors Latif, Sandelson and Harley sent their apologies.

Councillors Brown, Smith, Turner, Munkonge and Chapman made a declaration of interest that they were all members of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group (SJVG) for Oxford City Housing Limited (OCHL) who own the Meadow Lane land and stated that they did not have a conflict of interest and considered themselves to take the wider public interests to this matter.

Councillor Upton made a declaration that she was previously a member of the SJVG a few years ago, but she had never taken any decisions with respect to the site.

Councillor Hollingsworth stated that he was not on the SJVG for OCHL, but he was part of the SJVG when the current landowner acquired the site but had no part in the decision. He stated he would be coming to the Local Plan debate as a Cabinet Member for Planning with an open mind.

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 24 November 2025 and the Special meeting of Council on 14 January 2026.

Council is asked to approve the minutes as a correct record.

Council agreed to approve the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 24 November 2025 and the Special meeting of Council on 14 January 2026.

Any proposed changes will be included within the Appointment of Committees for the remainder of the Council Year 2025/2026.

There were no new appointments to committees.

Announcements by:

1.    The Lord Mayor

2.    The Sheriff

3.    The Leader of the Council (who may with the permission of the Lord Mayor invite other councillors to make announcements)

4.    The Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Monitoring Officer

5.    The City Rector

The Lord Mayor informed Council that she had attended the Saraswati Puja Festival, where many children experienced their first writing ceremony and families came together from across the community. She also highlighted the Kilsby Boat project, which had received a significant lottery grant to restore canal boat that would be converted into a theatre and educational space.

The Leader of the Council updated Council on the response to the current consultation being conducted by Oxford Fire and Rescue on the fire service in Oxfordshire. She said this was timely, as she had received a letter that morning from the University of Oxford expressing serious concerns which aligned with the Councils. Councillor Brown explained that she and Councillor Arshad recently met with Rob McDougall, Oxford's Chief Fire Officer, to discuss the county proposals for the future of fire services in the city. Although this allowed them to ask questions directly, she did not find the meeting reassuring. She reminded members that the proposals included lengthening response times and potentially removing Rewley Road and Kidlington fire stations, replacing them with one in North Oxford. She outlined the main points of the response submitted to the consultation, emphasising that Oxford had a significantly different risk profile from the rest of the county and that this needed to be reflected in service provision. She highlighted the city’s population, large student community, concentration of HMOs, high-rise buildings, major hospitals, world heritage sites and increasing levels of lab spaces, all of which added complexity and access challenges. She stressed that these factors required current resources and response times to be maintained. She stated that a centrally located fire station should be retained unless there was clear evidence of service improvement, which she said was lacking. Councillor Brown also raised concerns about the city’s waterways, noting several tragic deaths in recent years and expressed concern that some of the expertise from Rewley Road and Kidlington could be broken up and spread thinly around the county. She criticised the lack of proper consideration given to the community impact report, noting that the EQIA identified negative impacts on Oxford’s communities but failed to mitigate them. She stated that the proposals ignored deprivation as a key risk factor, despite evidence that all of the county’s most deprived areas were urban and that deprivation increased the risk of fire fatalities. She also highlighted that the EQIA identified a disproportionate impact on non-white British communities in Oxford, justifying this on the basis that ethnicity had not been considered a risk factor regarding accidental dwelling fires. She added that on-call requirement appeared to underpin many of the proposals, yet it was unclear what work had been done to address recruitment challenges. She noted that Council had made representations to the consultation. Stressing the need for formal engagement with all majority stakeholders, including Oxford’s education establishments. Furthermore, Councillor Brown added that colleges had only recently become aware of the proposals and were extremely concerned and that the university had now submitted a formal response.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

Up to five minutes is available for each public address.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address must be received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by 5.00 pm on 20 January 2025.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 45 minutes is available for both public speaking items. Responses are included in this time.

Council heard 2 addresses and Cabinet Members read or summarised their written responses. Both addresses and responses are set out in full in the minutes pack.

1. Address from Deborah Glass Woodin
2. Address from Martin Reed

The Council may deal with business even though it is not on the Agenda so long as:

(a)  the business is raised by a Motion on Notice under Rule 14 (Motions on Notice);

(b)  the Motion on Notice is delivered to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy not later than 4 hours before the start of the Meeting;

(c)  the Lord Mayor, or Council, if put to a vote, decide that the business is urgent (see Rule a); and

(d)  the agenda relating to the Meeting states that the Council may deal with urgent business at that Meeting.

Should the Lord Mayor determine that a matter is not urgent on the advice of the Monitoring Officer then the decision shall be final, subject to such reasons being explained to the meeting. Where there is no definitive view from the Monitoring Officer any member may, supported by [10] or more member by a show of hands, may request that the matter be put to a vote to determine if it should be heard.

Should the majority determine in any vote that the matter is urgent (whether put to the meeting by the Lord Mayor or by a member supported by ten others) then Council will debate it under Rule 11.20 Rules of Debate. Where it is determined that the matter is not urgent, the matter shall be deferred to the next Ordinary Council Meeting (i.e. not to an Extraordinary Council Meeting).

There was no urgent business.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to present the outcome of Oxford City Council’s (the council’s) annual rent review and associated rent setting proposal for 2026/27 in respect of all council dwellings within the Housing Revenue Account, including the setting of associated services and facilities charges.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.    Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.    Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.    Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.    Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.       Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.       Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.       Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.       Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to show the outcome of Oxford City Council’s annual rent review and associated rent setting proposal for 2026/27 in respect of all Council dwellings within the Housing Revenue Account, including the setting of associated services and facilities charges.

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report, acknowledging the ongoing cost of living crisis but stated that reducing rent prices was not feasible. The housing revenue account business plan required maximising the income to fund investments in Council properties, repairs, landlord services and new homes. Councillor Smith stated that she was pleased that the government indicated it would allow Council landlords to move toward rent convergence, noting that long term tenants had paid less than newer ones due to past calculation methods. She noted that the report agreed to increase the legacy rents by up to £2 a week in addition to the 4.8% rise.

Councillor Smowton asked why there had been a decrease in temporary accommodation charges in paragraph 32 of the report. Councillor Smith explained that lower than expected energy costs created a surplus, allowing a reduction in energy charges for temporary accommodation to reflect actual costs.

On being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.       Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.       Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.       Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.       Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

The Director of Housing has submitted a report to recommend approval of the updated new Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve and adopt the draft Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, authority to update the Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy with minor amendments to keep the documents up to date with any future changes in legislation, regulations, governance and best practice.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve and adopt the draft Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, authority to update the Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy with minor amendments to keep the documents up to date with any future changes in legislation, regulations, governance and best practice.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to recommend approval of the updated new Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

Councillor Smith introduced the report, explaining that as a housing authority, Council had a duty to publish the tenancy strategy outlining requirements and expectations for all registered social housing providers. She noted that social landlords were required to publish a tenancy policy to ensure compliance with the citywide strategy. The core principles of the new strategy remained consistent with the council's long-standing approach, emphasising secure or assured social tenancies at social rent where possible, or affordable rents at local housing allowance levels, typically 60%, of market rent rather than 80% used nationally. Support for tenants was expected from social landlords, with the strategy placing greater emphasis on cooperation and action to address homelessness, domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour. Councillor Smith also mentioned that housing associations were expected to collaborate with the Council to optimise property use through the shared register for affordable housing. Proper procedures were to be in place to assist tenants who were overcrowded, living in unsuitable housing or seeking to downsize. The strategy and policy underwent public consultation, focusing on feedback from housing association and Council tenant, which received a positive response.

On being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve and adopt the draft Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy.

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, authority to update the Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy with minor amendments to keep the documents up to date with any future changes in legislation, regulations, governance and best practice.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services has submitted a report to recommend to Full Council to approve the new Resident Involvement & Engagement Strategy 25 – 28.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve and adopt the Resident Involvement & Engagement Strategy 25 – 28 and action plan attached to the strategy which outlines how the priorities for resident involvement and engagement will be taken forward

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on approval of the strategy, to put in place the necessary governance and monitoring arrangements to oversee the implementation and delivery of the strategy   

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve and adopt the Resident Involvement & Engagement Strategy 25 – 28 and action plan attached to the strategy which outlines how the priorities for resident involvement and engagement will be taken forward.

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on approval of the strategy, to put in place the necessary governance and monitoring arrangements to oversee the implementation and delivery of the strategy.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services submitted a report to recommend to Full Council to approve the new Resident Involvement & Engagement Strategy 25 – 28.

Councillor Smith introduced the report, explaining the regulator of social housing expected transparency, fairness and respect to access services, raise concern, influence decisions and hold the landlord accountable. She acknowledged the need for improvement in this area. She further stated that a consultation with over 400 residents revealed that the relationship between residents and the Council as a landlord required more focus. Resident involvement ranked second only to building safety among priorities. The tenant satisfaction survey showed only 64% felt listened to by the council. The strategy marked a complete reset, addressing tougher regulatory demands and emphasised resident engagement as central to policy and service delivery. It proposed diverse engagement platforms and support for residents, detailed in the report. Furthermore, Councillor Smith added that strategy was built on four principles, resetting relationships, actively listening, responding to priorities and embedding engagement across the organisation. She stated that it outlined five strategic priorities with action plans such as establishing foundations for engagement, enhancing resident knowledge, co-designing inclusive platforms, improving communication and delivering high-quality landlord services. Initiatives included staff and resident training, improving complaint handling and ensuring services reflected resident input with transparent measurable outcomes. Councillor Smith noted that success would be tracked through participation rates, diversity of involvement and impact of resident feedback on services. Achievements and improvements in satisfaction and service quality would be communicated regularly with an annual strategy review.

On being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve and adopt the Resident Involvement & Engagement Strategy 25 – 28 and action plan attached to the strategy which outlines how the priorities for resident involvement and engagement will be taken forward.

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, on approval of the strategy, to put in place the necessary governance and monitoring arrangements to oversee the implementation and delivery of the strategy.

The Director of Planning and Regulations has submitted a report to approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, to submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 document for public consultation;

2.    Authorise all the supporting statutory documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Policies Map and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any necessary minor editorial corrections to the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, Policies Map, and to agree the supporting evidence base prior to going out to consultation.

4.    Authorise, following publication, the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation.

5.    Authorise submission of the Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for examination, following Regulation 19 consultation and any minor amendments made according to recommendation 3 or 4 and subject to there being no matters raised in the consultation that are considered to materially impact upon the Plan strategy.

6.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to invite the examining inspector(s) to recommend any modifications considered to be necessary in accordance with section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 document, as amended, for public consultation;

2.       Authorise all the supporting statutory documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Policies Map and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any necessary minor editorial corrections to the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, Policies Map, and to agree the supporting evidence base prior to going out to consultation.

4.       Authorise, following publication, the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation.

5.       Authorise submission of the Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for examination, following Regulation 19 consultation and any minor amendments made according to recommendation 3 or 4 and subject to there being no matters raised in the consultation that are considered to materially impact upon the Plan strategy.

6.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to invite the examining inspector(s) to recommend any modifications considered to be necessary in accordance with section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Council considered the report from the Director of Planning and Regulation seeking approval for the Oxford Local Plan 2045 for public consultation and approve it for consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Culture, introduced the report. He began by thanking the Planning Policy team for their efforts and help with producing the plan in short notice.

For the Green Group amendments, Councillor Hollingsworth accepted the following amendments:

• Amendment 1: Securing more sites for Boat Dwellers - In the Policy Context for H11, add the following new bullet point: “The City Council welcomes opportunities for the establishment of new moorings and will produce further planning guidance for those seeking to deliver new moorings in the City”,
• Amendment 2B: An Oxford Living Wage for apprentices - In Policy E3, at bullet point f), add “although this is encouraged where possible”, after “other than apprentices” so that it reads: “f) Paying all employees (other than apprentices, although this is encouraged) the Oxford Living Wage”,
• Amendment 2C: The Oxford Living Wage as a minimum standard - In Policy E3, remove or “other social clauses appropriate to the development” in bullet point g),
• Amendment 4: Welcoming community-owned energy projects - In the Policy Context for Policy R1, add the following as a new bullet point: “The development of local renewable energy projects will be especially welcomed where they are community owned or owned by non-profit making organisations”
• Amendment 5A: Promoting community cohesion, health and wellbeing in our communities - In the Policy Context for Policy C1, “Establishments that promote community cohesion, health and wellbeing are particularly welcomed in the city centre, local, and district centres” and,
• Amendment 6: Protecting pubs - In Policy C5, after “Planning permission will not be granted for the loss of existing cultural venues and visitor attractions”, “including pubs”, so that it reads, “Planning permission will not be granted for the loss of existing cultural venues and visitor attractions, including pubs, except in the following circumstances:”.

For the Liberal Democrat Group amendments, Councillor Hollingsworth accepted amendment 3 "Urban Design and Heritage" subheading for the site allocation policy SPN1: Diamond Place and Ewert House: "Public toilet facilities are currently located on the site. Development proposals should demonstrate how these facilities will be re-provided or justify an alternative approach".

Councillor Hollingsworth put forward the proposal for Council to endorse the recommendation.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Brown.

Council received amendments to the draft Local Plan 2040 that were submitted in accordance with Council procedure rules. The following records the decision reached on each proposed amendment.

For the Green Group, Councillor Rawle, on being seconded by Councillor Muddiman, proposed an amendment as follows: amendment 3a, preventing the loss of playground space. In Policy G1, insert after “Planning permission will not be granted for development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Public addresses to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution and not relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

Up to five minutes is available for each public address.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address must be received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by 5.00 pm on 20 January 2026.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses and questions submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 45 minutes is available for both public speaking items. Responses

Council heard 4 addresses and Cabinet Members read or summarised their written responses. Both addresses and responses are set out in full in the minutes pack.

1.    Address from Shavonne Allen

2.    Address from Kaddy Beck

3.    Address from Chaka Artwell

4.    Address from Dan Glazebrook

The Chief Executive has submitted a report to designate the Council’s Section 151 Officer following a success recruitment campaign and the recommendation from the Appointments Committee on 28 November 2025.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Designate the newly appointed Interim Group Finance Director as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from the 6^th April 2026.

Council resolved to:

1.       Designate the newly appointed Interim Group Finance Director as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from the 6^th April 2026.

The Chief Executive submitted a report to designate the Council’s Section 151 Officer following a success recruitment campaign and the recommendation from the Appointments Committee on 28 November 2025.

Councillor Brown introduced and summarised the report, stating that the Section 151 Officer Nigel Kennedy was taking retirement at the end of this Council year and Alister Rush, Interim Group Finance Director, needed to be formally appointed as the Council’s Section 151 Officer. 

On being seconded by Councillor Smowton, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Designate the newly appointed Interim Group Finance Director as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from the 6^th April 2026.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) has submitted a report for Council to appoint committees and the members serving on those committees for the remainder of the Council year 2025-26, as required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (Section 15).

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the structure of the Council committees, as defined within the Council’s Constitution and set out in Appendix 1: Committee Structure 2025-2026;

2.    Approve the methods, calculations and conventions used in determining political representation on committees as outlined in the report and shown in Appendix 2: Political Proportionalities on Council Committees 2026;

3.    Appoint to committee seats in accordance with the requirements of political proportionality and the nominations made by political groups, as shown in Appendix 3: Committee Nominations 2026;

4.    Agree that all members of Council will form the pool of members able to observe on appeals and some grievances panels in accordance with the Council’s policies;

Appendices 2 and 3 will be published as part of the Briefing Note.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the structure of the Council committees, as defined within the Council’s Constitution and set out in Appendix 1: Committee Structure 2025-2026;

2.       Approve the methods, calculations and conventions used in determining political representation on committees as outlined in the report and shown in Appendix 2: Political Proportionalities on Council Committees 2026;

3.       Appoint to committee seats, against the requirements of political proportionality, and the nominations made by political groups, as shown in Appendix 3: Committee Nominations 2026 Revised;

4.       Agree that all members of Council will form the pool of members able to observe on appeals and some grievances panels in accordance with the Council’s policies;

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report for Council to appoint committees and the members serving on those committees for the remainder of the Council year 2025-26, as required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (Section 15).

Councillor Brown noted that the report included the latest allocations to committee following the changes in membership of different groups, with the addition that Councillor Jupp would stay on the Audit and Governance Committee which was part of the proportional allocation.

On being seconded by Councillor Jarvis, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the structure of the Council committees, as defined within the Council’s Constitution and set out in Appendix 1: Committee Structure 2025-2026;

2.       Approve the methods, calculations and conventions used in determining political representation on committees as outlined in the report and shown in Appendix 2: Political Proportionalities on Council Committees 2026;

3.       Appoint to committee seats, against the requirements of political proportionality, and the nominations made by political groups, as shown in Appendix 3: Committee Nominations 2026 Revised;

4.       Agree that all members of Council will form the pool of members able to observe on appeals and some grievances panels in accordance with the Council’s policies;

The Head of People has submitted a report to seek agreement to implement a new policy and procedure relating to working outside of the United Kingdom.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the following:

a.             Working Overseas Policy and Procedure for Employees

b.             Working Overseas Procedure for Members

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the following:

a.                      Working Overseas Policy and Procedure for Employees

b.                      Working Overseas Procedure for Members

The Head of People submitted a report to seek agreement to implement a new policy and procedure relating to working outside of the United Kingdom.

Councillor Chapman summarised the report, stating that the redraft was now a more pragmatic and enlightened policy than before and moved the report.

On being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the following:

a.                      Working Overseas Policy and Procedure for Employees

b.                      Working Overseas Procedure for Members

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) has submitted a report to seek approval to further amendments to the Constitution.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1. Approve the updates to the Constitution, as listed in Appendix 1;
2. Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make any other consequential amendments to the Constitution to reflect the changes in appendix 1 to the extent that they have not been identified in the above, provided such changes are purely required as a direct consequence.

Council resolved to:

1. Approve the updates to the Constitution, as listed in Appendix 1;
2. Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make any other consequential amendments to the Constitution to reflect the changes in appendix 1 to the extent that they have not been identified in the above, provided such changes are purely required as a direct consequence.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report to seek approval to further amendments to the Constitution.

Councillor Brown introduced and summarised the report, explaining that the changes made the constitution clearer and more consistent. The report updated the items required on the forward plan, made it easier for officers to be aware of upcoming decisions and the processes for making them and clarified who could place items on agendas. Councillor Brown commented that the rationale for a couple of the amendments was not clear and would be amended before publication.

On being seconded by Councillor Smowton, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1. Approve the updates to the Constitution, as listed in Appendix 1;
2. Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make any other consequential amendments to the Constitution to reflect the changes in appendix 1 to the extent that they have not been identified in the above, provided such changes are purely required as a direct consequence.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) has submitted a report setting out the programme of Council, committee and other meetings for the whole of the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Council years.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the programme of Council, committee and other meetings from 1 May 2026 to 31 May 2028 attached at Appendix 1;

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy, in consultation with the political Group Leaders, to make changes to this programme in the event that there is any decision by Council to change the committee structure or committee remits which impacts on the programme of meetings; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to set dates for additional training and briefing sessions for Members.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the programme of Council, committee and other meetings from 1 May 2026 to 31 May 2028 attached at Appendix 1;

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy, in consultation with the political Group Leaders, to make changes to this programme in the event that there is any decision by Council to change the committee structure or committee remits which impacts on the programme of meetings; and

3.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to set dates for additional training and briefing sessions for Members.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report setting out the programme of Council, committee and other meetings for the whole of the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Council years.

Councillor Brown proposed the recommendations as set out in the report.

On being seconded by Councillor Jarvis, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the programme of Council, committee and other meetings from 1 May 2026 to 31 May 2028 attached at Appendix 1;

2.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy, in consultation with the political Group Leaders, to make changes to this programme in the event that there is any decision by Council to change the committee structure or committee remits which impacts on the programme of meetings; and

3.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to set dates for additional training and briefing sessions for Members.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) has submitted a report explaining the background to the Members’ Allowances Scheme and to seek delegated authority for the appointment of an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider a new Members’ Allowances Scheme. The Panel will recommend the proposed Scheme to Council later in 2026 for adoption.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to make appointments to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel as needed, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, up to when the replacement Members’ Allowances Scheme will expire in March 2027.

Council resolved to:

1.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to make appointments to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel as needed, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, up to when the replacement Members’ Allowances Scheme will expire in March 2027.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report explaining the background to the Members’ Allowances Scheme and to seek delegated authority for the appointment of an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider a new Members’ Allowances Scheme. The Panel will recommend the proposed Scheme to Council later in 2026 for adoption.

Councillor Bown proposed the recommendations as set out in the report and noted that remuneration was decided independently and not by Councillors. She noted that the panel would report their recommendation to Council later in the year.

On being seconded by Councillor Henwood, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to::

1.       Delegate authority to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy to make appointments to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel as needed, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, up to when the replacement Members’ Allowances Scheme will expire in March 2027.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) has submitted a report to update Council on key decisions taken in cases of special urgency since 14 July 2025.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Note the urgent key decisions taken in cases of special urgency as set out in the report. 

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report to update Council on key decisions taken in cases of special urgency since 14 July 2025.

Councillor Brown introduced the report.

Councillor Miles noted that at Scrutiny Committee meetings last year, members had recognised a growing trend towards urgent key decisions. Councillor Brown reassured her that decisions coming forward were both key and urgent.

Councillor Fouweather asked whether it had been known in 2023 that the ice rink chillers would not be repairable if they failed and whether an independent report on the chillers had been carried out. Councillor Brown responded that she would provide a written answer but stated that it was an urgent decision and was necessary to ensure the ice rink was functioning. She said she was satisfied it met the criteria for both a key decision and an urgent decision.

Council resolved to:

1. Note the urgent key decisions taken in cases of special urgency as set out in the report

Councillor Regisford left the meeting.

This item has a time limit of 15 minutes.

Councillors may ask the Cabinet Members questions about matters in the minutes since the previous meeting of full Council.

The Minutes will be published within a supplement ahead of the meeting.

a.    Cabinet minutes – 4 December 2025

No questions were raised.

b.    Cabinet minutes – 10 December 2025

No questions were raised.

c.    Cabinet minutes – 21 January 2026

No questions were raised.

Questions on notice from councillors received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.11(b).

Questions on notice may be asked of the Lord Mayor, a Member of the Cabinet or a Chair of a Committee. One supplementary question may be asked at the meeting.

The full text of questions must have been received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by no later than 1.00pm on 14 January 2026.

These, and written responses where available, will be published in the briefing note.

24 written questions were asked of the Cabinet Members and the Leader, and these and written responses were published before the meeting.

These along with summaries of the 6 supplementary questions and responses asked and given at the meeting are set out in the minutes pack.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) and the Transition Director have submitted a report to update Council on the arrangements and board for The Oxfordshire Children’s Trust and the Council’s work for Children and Young People in the city.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Note the report and the documents appended to it

Council agreed to defer this item of business to the next meeting.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee has submitted a report which updates Council on the activities of scrutiny and the implementation of recommendations since the last meeting of Council.

Council is invited to comment on and note the report.

The report will be published within a supplement ahead of the meeting.

Council agreed to defer this item of business to the next meeting.

This item has a time limit of 60 minutes.

Motions received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy in accordance with the rules in Section 11 of the Constitution by the deadline of 1.00pm on 14 January 2026are listed below.

Cross party motions are taken first. Motions will then be taken in turn from the Oxford Independent Group, Real Independent Group, Labour Group, Liberal Democrat Group, Green Group, Oxford Independent Alliance Group, in that order.

Substantive amendments to these motions must be sent by councillors to the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by no later than 10.00am on Friday, 23 January 2026 so that they may be circulated with the briefing note.

Minor technical or limited wording amendments may be submitted during the meeting but must be written down and circulated.

Council is asked to consider the following motions:

a)    Better use of Oxpens Bridge Funding (Proposed by Cllr Jupp, Seconded by Cllr Miles)

b)    Prisoners for Palestine hunger strikes (proposed by Cllr Jarvis, Seconded by Cllr Mundy)

Council agreed to defer this item of business to the next meeting.

Liberal Democrat Motion

Council notes: 

·       The cost of the Oxpens bridge has substantially increased since its original approval, and is running considerably behind other Growth Deal projects. 

• That government has the option to repurpose the money for use in other active travel schemes and entrust the County Council to manage this. 

• Government can and does vary the rules of the Deal from time to time. Thus far, government has rightly prioritised the spirit and objectives of the Deal above the letter of the agreement. 

• Doubt remains that the Oxpens bridge will be able to provide a dry route to Osney Island and thereby unlock housing, due to the low-lying railway underpass in-between. 

• The Growth Board (now Future Oxfordshire Partnership) was strongly urged against pursuing the Oxpens bridge project to begin with. 

Council therefore believes it would be sensible to examine alternatives, and open a conversation with the County and/or the Ministry on options that deliver greater benefits for the residents of Oxford. 

Council therefore resolves to ask the Leader to write to the relevant Minister, in full consultation with the accountable body for the Growth Deal funds, requesting that in the event of the bridge not going ahead: 

• That the Growth Deal by varied as necessary to permit the funds to be used for other specified purposes in Oxford; 

• That other options be explored to better employ the funds, including but not limited to: 

• Resurrecting the substantive scheme for Woodstock Road improvements to mitigate the effect of housing development to the north; 

• Revisiting the pedestrian bridge across the A40 at Barton Park which was dropped at planning stage, resulting in very real and significant safety concerns for residents; 

• Resurrecting the long-discussed plan for a foot/cycle bridge across the Thames at Jackdaw Lane, providing a safe and convenient alternative to the challenging Plain roundabout for residents of south and east Oxford. 

Council notes that each of these schemes has been worked up in detail, and are thus available to re-visit, making any one of them attractive to a government which has the best interests of Oxford’s residents at heart. 

As Council voted to defer motions on notice, these motions would need to be submitted again for debate.

Green Group Motion

Council notes

1.  Since September 2024 eight remand prisoners detained as a result of alleged activities with Palestine Action have participated in hunger strikes, including at least one individual from Oxford.^[1]

2.  The prisoners are expected to be on remand for over a year before they face a trial^[2], despite the CPS guidance suggesting the maximum time anyone should be held on remand is 182 days.^[3]

3.  Among the demands of the hunger strikers are:^[4]

a)  Immediate bail for the prisoners held on remand.

b)  While they are imprisoned, for the prisoners to be able to send and receive communications without restriction, surveillance, or interference from the prison administration.

c)  The right to a fair trial.

d)  For Palestine Action to be de-proscribed.

4.  All of those participating in the hunger strikes were detained for alleged activities with Palestine Action prior to parliament adding it to the list of proscribed organisations. 

5.  While some of the hunger strikers have ended their action, at the time of writing, four are still refusing food and are facing serious risk of long term health issues or death.^[5]

6.  67 MPs - including Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran - have signed an Early Day Motion calling for the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure the treatment of the hunger strikers is “humane” and that their human rights are upheld.^[6]

7.  A number of other councils, including Belfast^[7] and Derry^[8], have passed motions expressing solidarity with the hunger strikers and for the government to enter proper negotiations with the prisoners to bring an end to the strikes.

Council believes

1.  It is extremely concerning that these prisoners have felt that they had no other recourse to protest against their prison conditions but to engage in hunger strikes.

Council resolves

1.  To request that the leader of the council: 

a)    Write to the Secretary of State for Justice and other relevant government ministers, requesting that they 

                                           i.         Meet with the families and representatives of those on hunger strike.

                                          ii.         Enter negotiations to bring the hunger strikes to an end and to prevent any loss of life or long term health complications.

                                         iii.         Do everything they can to ensure that the prisoners on remand have their human rights respected and that they are treated humanely.

b)    Write to local MPs Anneliese Dodds and Layla Moran requesting that they work to ensure that government ministers carry out the requests in resolves 1.

As Council voted to defer motions on notice, these motions would need to be submitted again for debate.