Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Purpose of report

To approve the Terms of Reference of, and the delegation of appropriate executive functions to, the Oxfordshire Growth Board, and to appoint an Executive Member to represent the Council on the Board.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the Terms of Reference of the Oxfordshire Growth Board contained at Appendix 1.

1.2         To delegate the Council’s executive functions in respect of matters within the Terms of Reference to the Oxfordshire Growth Board pursuant to Sections 101(5) and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 9 EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012.

1.3         To appoint a member of the Executive and a substitute to represent the Council on the Board.

Resolved

(1)          That the Terms of Reference of the Oxfordshire Growth Board (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That the Council’s executive functions in respect of matters within the Terms of Reference to the Oxfordshire Growth Board pursuant to Sections 101(5) and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 9 EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 be delegated.

(3)          That the Leader of the Council be appointed to represent the Council on the Board and the Deputy Leader be appointed as substitute.

(4)          That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to consider adding the Oxfordshire Growth Board and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMPLEP) to their work programme.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which sought approval of the Terms of Reference of, and the delegation of appropriate executive functions to, the Oxfordshire Growth Board, and appointment of an Executive Member to represent the Council on the Board.

In response to a query from Councillor Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group, regarding how the Board would be scrutinised, the Chairman suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to consider adding the Oxfordshire Growth Board and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMPLEP) to their work programme. He would be happy to attend a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with lead officers.

Resolved

(1)          That the Terms of Reference of the Oxfordshire Growth Board (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That the Council’s executive functions in respect of matters within the Terms of Reference to the Oxfordshire Growth Board pursuant to Sections 101(5) and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 9 EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 be delegated.

(3)          That the Leader of the Council be appointed to represent the Council on the Board and the Deputy Leader be appointed as substitute.

(4)          That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to consider adding the Oxfordshire Growth Board and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMPLEP) to their work programme.

Reasons

As part of the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal bid the constituent bidding parties have agreed to establish the Oxfordshire Growth Board as a joint executive committee of the constituent local authorities.

In order to ensure that Cherwell District Council plays its appropriate part it is necessary for the recommendations to be approved.

The Growth Board terms of reference set out that decisions made by the Committee shall be subject to the scrutiny arrangements of each constituent authority.

Alternative Options

Option 1: To approve the recommendations.

Option 2: Not to agree the proposed Terms of Reference of the Board at Appendix 1 but suggest amendments. This is not recommended because the draft Terms of Reference have been collectively agreed by the groups mentioned in paragraph 5.2 above. All constituent local authorities are going through a process of approving the Terms of Reference as set out.

Option 3: Not to delegate the appropriate executive functions, nor appoint a member to the Board. This is rejected because the Board is being established with the support and endorsement of all of the constituent bidding parties to the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal bid which included Cherwell District Council.