URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=468

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, advised that if Executive Members intended to reference the exempt annex (item 18) as part of the discussion then this would necessitate that the press and public be excluded. No Executive members indicated that this would be required.   Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to seek Executive approval for West Oxfordshire District Council to invest and participate in the Oxfordshire Waste and Environmental Services Partnership (WESP).   In her presentation Councillor Arciszewska made the following points:   The Council had initiated and led on a programme to partner with other Oxfordshire District Councils on aspects of waste services such as collection, disposal, recycling, street cleaning and ground maintenance. Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council had committed to carry on this programme. The benefits of the collaboration were: economies of scale and shared procurement on items such as waste fleet vehicles; simplified services which made it clear to residents on responsibilities for areas of service provision; coordination of service provision and increased positive environmental impacts such as increased recycling rates. WESP would save £100m over ten years with the Council realising £17.4m of savings. The investment required from the Council was £1.7m over the ten years of the project and as such this was a cost-effective project. The oversight of the programme’s implementation would enable the Council to monitor progress of the project, validate operational decisions and confirm Government frameworks were being applied.   Councillor Arciszewska proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.   Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, seconded the proposal and noted that this was a promising joint project covering many key areas, in particular the circular economy and joint procurement.   Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, spoke further on the compelling financial case for WESP and noted that financial savings would enable investment in other areas of need.   Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, suggested that such a model was a useful template for partnership working to take into the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process.   This was voted on and approved unanimously.   RESOLVED: That the Executive: Approved WESP participation in principle for an initial five-year term. Delegated authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance to: Approve the WESP business case. Oversee programme implementation. Ensure governance, risk management, and benefits tracking are in place

Date of Decision: December 17, 2025