Social Value Ideas for Oxford City Council

Licence granted with planning caveat

The committee approved the premises licence for Botley Superstore, but explicitly noted that the rear storeroom/extension must not be used until planning permission is granted. This is a policy and co…

“We we as subcommittee have resolved to grant the application in full. We would like you, as the applicant, to note two things. Firstly, the storeroom…”

Prior police and trading standards concerns resolved

A previous application for the same site was withdrawn after police and trading standards raised concerns, and revised operating conditions were agreed in a joint meeting. The current application inco…

“The licensing authority had previously received an application from Botley Booze Limited for a new premises license at the same place, which was withd…”

Heat Afro License Granted

Heat Afro Lounge variation granted with conditions: minimum two door staff after 22:00; exterior doors shut from 21:00; no music in the backyard; police conditions to apply; 21-day appeal window. The …

“the subcommittee has resolved to grant the license subject to the following conditions”

Applicant mitigations

Wendy's outlines mitigations: CCTV both internal and external, minimum two SIA security staff 10pm–2am, security training, welfare engagement, self-closing doors, noise controls, notices at exits, lit…

“Our establishments use CCTV surveillance systems... minimum of two SIA accredited security staff who would be on site from 1000 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on a…”

HA housing safety policies

Adoption of two new housing policies: Legionella management and electrical safety; five-yearly electrical inspections; electrical before reletting; tiered Legionella actions; alignment with regulator …

“This council has already approved HA policies on dampen mold, fire safety, asbestos, and disrepair. There are two more to agree this evening on Legion…”

TA and HRA repairs pressures

Integrated Performance Report notes ongoing financial pressure from temporary accommodation and higher than forecast repairs expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), with calls for cost contr…

“the temporary accommodation pressure is well known and that is a significant challenge”

SHDF Wave 2.1 bid

Council submitted a bid to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1 and seeks authorization to spend just over £6m of money already allocated; if successful, a further £3m would be added, brin…

“submitted a bid to the social housing decarbonisation fund wave 2.1”

TA Stock Investment

Plan to invest 32m to create up to 150 new temporary accommodation units to reduce hotel/nightly-rate TA use and generate savings (estimated £5.2m cost avoidance).

“"The centerpiece of the plan is the 32 million pound investment into up to 150 new units of temporary accommodation."”

Community grants over £1m

Cabinet noted the annual community impact fund spend for 2024/25, described as over £1 million in community grants. Funding was distributed across advice services, domestic abuse support, rent grants,…

“"Uh thank you. Yes, so this uh report is for noting this evening. It's looking back at how we used uh community impact fund during the course of the y…”

Simplified grants process

The council simplified the grants process from February 2025, reducing small grants rounds from three to two and cutting the amount of information applicants must provide. The stated aim was to focus …

“So since 2024-25, as you'll see in the report, in February 2025, we simplified the grants process. Um so we reduced the number of rounds um from three…”

New applicants in grant rounds

Officers reported active outreach through locality managers and communications channels to attract new community groups, with over 20% and sometimes nearer 30% of successful awards going to newcomers …

“"Absolutely. So we we've done a really active campaign through our locality managers but also every single kind of like outlet you can imagine in term…”