The Scrutiny Committee met on 1 July 2025 to consider the following items, including recommendations from its working groups. A report detailing the outcomes and final recommendations is published as supplement.

• Domestic Abuse Policy for Service Users
• Tourism (and ABID presentation)
• Citizen Experienced Strategy 
• National Homelessness Property Fund 1
• Annual Review of the Housing, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28

The Scrutiny Committee met on 1 July 2025 to consider the Domestic Abuse Policy for Service Users, the report on Tourism (a Scrutiny-commissioned paper), and the Citizen Experienced Strategy. The Housing and Homelessness Working Group met on the 24^th of June to consider the National Homelessness Property Fund 1 and the Annual Review of the Housing, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28.

Councillor Alex Powell presented the Scrutiny Committee’s discussions and recommendations relating to the Domestic Abuse Policy for Service Users.

-       Recommendation: That there is explicit recognition under section 3, Diversity Implications, of the way in which national immigration policy makes people less likely to disclose domestic violence, given Oxford’s status as a Council of Sanctuary, it is especially important to acknowledge how national policy can harm the efforts of local authorities to build inclusive and safe communities.

Councillor Arshad thanked Scrutiny for their recommendation and emphasised the importance of the issue. She said that they had partially accepted the recommendation, to include and highlight the fear certain survivors of domestic abuse might feel towards deportation. This validates concerns of those survivors of domestic abuse and demonstrates their commitment to supporting them. This gives the clarity and support needed to those impacted.

Councillor Alex Powell presented the Scrutiny Committee’s discussions and recommendations relating to the Tourism (a Scrutiny-commissioned paper). He noted that the Committee had discussed the challenges of tourism and possible avenues to attract a wider variety of tourist groups.

-       Recommendation 1: That the Council take further steps to publicise the locations of public toilets that are accessible to visitors and residents alike, such as those in the Town Hall and other public buildings.

-       Recommendation 2: That Council encourage the highest possible level of elected representation within the ABID task groups, within the constraints of the scheme, in order to promote democratic accountability, recognising the Council’s role as the scheme’s facilitator.

Councillor Hollingsworth responded to the recommendations and thanked Councillor Powell for the detailed and useful session with Scrutiny. In response to the first recommendation, Councillor Hollingsworth said that they would review to see how else the Council could publicise this information, including physical and digital signage options. Regarding the second recommendation, he said that the Cabinet had agreed the recommendation, but emphasised that the Council are not the decision maker in the ABID

Councillor Alex Powell presented the Scrutiny Committee’s discussions and recommendations relating to the Citizen Experienced Strategy. He noted that the discussions analysed how the Council engages with younger people and how they consider the implications of AI.

-       Recommendation 1: That Cabinet consider incorporating physical presence in future consultations, particularly in areas further outside the city centre, and undertake support of language interpreters where appropriate.

-       Recommendation 2: That the environmental and equality impacts of AI use be considered as a core component of the full review of the Citizen Experience Strategy in 2027, adding dedicated sections addressing the implications of AI in both areas within the strategy.

-       Recommendation 3: That proactive efforts be made to consult children under 12, in recognition of the city’s commitment to becoming an age and children friendly city.

Councillor Chapman thanked Scrutiny for their recommendations and their discussion of the paper. In response, Councillor Chapman said that they were broadly supportive of the recommendations and had agreed the first and third recommendations. He said that they had not agreed the second recommendation, because the Council was already undertaking work on a broader AI Strategy which would address those issues raised by the second recommendation.

Councillor Alex Powell presented the Housing and Homelessness Working Group’s discussions and recommendations relating to the National Homelessness Property Fund 1. No recommendations came to Cabinet from the Working Group regarding this report.

Councillor Alex Powell presented the Housing and Homelessness Working Group’s discussions and recommendations relating to the Annual Review of the Housing, Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28.

-       Recommendation 1: That Cabinet continue to actively lobby against changes to local government funding for homelessness services, particularly those that would result in significant funding reductions for Oxford and other local authorities with high levels of homelessness.

-       Recommendation 2: That Council explore all available measures to safeguard tenants from unjust or revenge evictions pending the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Councillor Smith responded to the Working Group’s recommendations and said that Cabinet had agreed both the recommendations. She said that the response from Cabinet demonstrates that they are already working in these areas and will be progressing this work, in line with the recommendations from the Working Group.

Councillor Brown thanked Councillor Powell for their work and the presentations from Scrutiny.

Councillor Arshad left the meeting during this item at 18:15.