Decision details

To agree the council’s representation on the Oxfordshire Growth Board Sub groups and Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved

(1)       That the Assistant Director Law and Governance be delegated to appoint to the Oxfordshire Growth Board sub groups and Scrutiny Panel in consultation with the Conservative and Labour Group Leaders, as set out below:

·         Oxfordshire Growth Board sub groups

The advisory sub groups will be made up of elected member representatives from each of the constituent councils appointed by the Leader of that council and other representatives as agreed by members of the Growth Board Joint Committee.  The Chair of the sub-groups will be appointed by the Growth Board and normally drawn from the voting membership of the Growth Board acting as an independent Chair.

The Leaders are asked to nominate a member representative and a substitute member representative to each of the three boards. 

·         Oxfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Panel

The Terms of Reference also establishes a new Growth Board Scrutiny Panel to enable effective and coordinated scrutiny of Growth Board functions and decisions. The Scrutiny Panel will be non-statutory to enable flexibility for the constituent councils to reflect local scrutiny membership.  The ability of the constituent council Scrutiny Committees to scrutinise the Growth Board will remain.  The Terms of Reference and working arrangements for the Scrutiny Panel will be developed with input from the Scrutiny Committee Chairs of the individual councils. The Chair will be elected by the members of the Scrutiny Panel.

Leaders of the Conservative and Labour Groups are asked to nominate member representatives to the Scrutiny Panel as set out below

Ensuring good governance of the Growth Board is important in delivering the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, the proposed nominations will ensure that Cherwell District Council is effectively represented.

No alternative options have been identified.