In her statement on 22 October 2026, Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), with implementation paused pending a government review. She assured that updates would be provided as soon as an announcement is made, recognising the detrimental impact of this limbo on officers and planning capabilities.
Significant progress was reported on devolution talks for a Thames Valley Combined Authority (MSA). Following a meeting with the Minister, the acceptable geography for an MSA is confirmed as Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon. While Buckinghamshire's potential inclusion is a possibility, it is not currently prioritised. The government is negotiating funding and powers, with a tight deadline for a unanimous response by Monday lunchtime to be included in next Wednesday's Budget announcement. The Minister provided outline figures for potential funding and powers, which are described as appealing but requiring a 'leap of faith'. A positive decision could lead to consultation approval by the end of 2026, with the Strategic Authority established in May 2027 and Mayoral elections in May 2028.
Regarding the Oxford Growth Commission, its final report is expected in November, proposing the creation of a Greater Oxford Development Corporation. A consultation is anticipated before the end of the year, with formalisation by summer 2027. The role of a Mayor in such a corporation remains unclear.
The council is progressing its 2027/28 budget setting process. Given the potential delays to LGR, the council must plan responsibly for continued operation for up to three more years, ensuring a sustainable financial position. The process will be collaborative, including dedicated sessions with opposition groups.
On housing, the council is pursuing its own plans to increase council-owned stock, focusing on temporary accommodation. Currently, the council owns 57 homes, with plans to purchase approximately 17 more by spring 2027. A new development at the Broadway site in Didcot will add nine homes by the end of 2027. The council's homelessness prevention rate for September was 83%, significantly above the national average. A new government rough sleeping programme has allocated £122,859 to the council for support services by December.
The 'Be Together' programme, launched after the 'Fair Treatment for All Residents' motion in October 2025, continues to foster community cohesion through various initiatives. A new Community Cohesion Strategy is being developed over a five-year period, supported by external funding of £100,000 from 'Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network'. A consultation, including an online survey, is underway.
Addressing a motion on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cllr Filipova-Rivers expressed agreement with concerns about environmental sustainability, privacy, and accountability. However, she raised concerns about combining data centre environmental impact with AI rollout policy. While acknowledging the need for domestic computing capacity and improving energy efficiency, she advocated for mitigating environmental impacts and setting robust standards rather than resisting the technology. The council's use of AI will prioritise transparency, data protection, and human oversight, with opportunities to improve services. A staff AI policy exists, and members will explore their remit in influencing its responsible rollout.
The Leader concluded by stating her preference for separate workstreams on data centres and AI use within the council. While supporting the motion's intention, she could not support it in its current form but offered to collaborate on a letter to the government regarding data centre expansion and AI concerns.
