Issue - meetings

Report of Executive Director Place and Regeneration

Purpose of report

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has provided £500,000 of specific grant funding for non-statutory feasibility work to test the strategic case for large-scale housing development. This includes capacity funding, technical studies and financial modelling (see Appendix 1 MOU)  This report seeks approval of associated budget virement, and to agree programme delivery and governance arrangements.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To agree to increase both the Regeneration and Economy income budget in recognition of the grant income and the expenditure budget for associated works.

1.2           To delegate to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, the development of a programme in support of the grant objectives.

1.3           To note that procurement of specialist consultancy support and other external resources required to deliver the programme will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s constitution and procurement procedures and that further authorisations may be required as individual commissions are scoped.

Resolved

(1)            That it be agreed to increase both the Regeneration and Economy income budget in recognition of the grant income and the expenditure budget for associated works.

(2)            That authority for the development of a programme in support of the grant objectives be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(3)            That it be noted that procurement of specialist consultancy support and other external resources required to deliver the programme will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s constitution and procurement procedures and that further authorisations may be required as individual commissions are scoped.

The Executive Director Place and Regeneration submitted a report which sought approval of associated budget virement, and to agree programme delivery and governance arrangements in respect of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provision of £500,000 of specific grant funding for non-statutory feasibility work to test the strategic case for large-scale housing development. This included capacity funding, technical studies and financial modelling.

The Chair noted that Councillor Rogers had submitted questions in respect of this item. In response to comments from Councillor Rogers, the Executive Director Place and Regeneration explained that the funding allowed for non-statutory feasibility work to test the strategic case for large-scale housing developmentand one of the first tasks would be to look at the governance arrangements.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed to increase both the Regeneration and Economy income budget in recognition of the grant income and the expenditure budget for associated works.

(2)          That authority for the development of a programme in support of the grant objectives be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(3)          That it be noted that procurement of specialist consultancy support and other external resources required to deliver the programme will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s constitution and procurement procedures and that further authorisations may be required as individual commissions are scoped.

Reasons

The £500,000 MHCLG preparatory funding provides an important opportunity for the Council to lead the feasibility assessment of Heyford Park as a potential large-scale new settlement. The programme is fully externally funded with no call on Council resources, and the MoU provides a clear framework for delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

The budget virement to recognise the grant income and associated expenditure requires Executive approval. Accepting the grant and establishing the delegation and governance arrangements sought in this report will enable the programme to be delivered efficiently within the required timescales, while ensuring that procurement and other internal governance requirements are met.

Alternative options

Option 1: Do not accept the MHCLG funding.

This would mean the Council would not participate in the feasibility programme for Heyford Park as a potential new settlement. The £500,000 grant would not be drawn down. The Council would lose the opportunity to shape the evidence base and strategic case for one of the largest development sites in the district. Given the scale of the planning application already submitted, there is a strong case for the Council to be actively engaged in understanding the infrastructure implications and delivery options. This option is not recommended.

Option 2: Accept the funding but defer programme commencement until later in the financial year.

This would delay the start of feasibility work, creating a risk of not meeting MHCLG’s delivery timetable and the reasonable endeavours requirement to spend in a timely manner. Given the MoU was only signed on 12-13 March 2026, the programme timeline is already compressed. This option is not recommended.