Issue - meetings

** This report will follow as it is currently being reviewed and finalised **

Report of Chief Operating Officer

Resolved

(1)          That Oxfordshire being a host venue for the OVO Energy Women’s cycle tour in 2019, 2020 and 2021 be supported.

(2)          That the principle of an equal share of costs between the county, the four districts and the city council be agreed.

(3)          That a budget of £30,000 to pay the council’s share of the costs in 2019 be allocated.

(4)          That the Council be recommended to agree to fund the council’s share of the hosting fee for years two and three through the annual budget setting process (2020 and 2021).

(5)          That it be agreed that sponsorship, regardless of which partner attracts it, will be used to reduce the hosting costs on an equal basis.

The (Oxfordshire County Council) Project Delivery Manager, in conjunction with (Cherwell District Council), Chief Operating Officer submitted a report to highlight the requirements of delivering the OVO Energy Women’s Cycle Tour in Oxfordshire over the next three years, (2019, 2020 and 2021).

Resolved

(1)            That Oxfordshire being a host venue for the OVO Energy Women’s cycle tour in 2019, 2020 and 2021 be supported.

(2)            That the principle of an equal share of costs between the county, the four districts and the city council be agreed.

(3)            That a budget of £30,000 to pay the council’s share of the costs in 2019 be allocated.

(4)            That the Council be recommended to agree to fund the council’s share of the hosting fee for years two and three through the annual budget setting process (2020 and 2021).

(5)            That it be agreed that sponsorship, regardless of which partner attracts it, will be used to reduce the hosting costs on an equal basis.

Reasons

Oxfordshire has secured an agreement with the event organisers of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.  The OVO Energy Women’s Tour is the UK’s biggest and most prestigious bike race.  A founder member of the UCI Women’s World Tour, the race attracts the world’s top cyclists – including Olympic and World Champions to complete on British roads over five days each June.   All councils across Oxfordshire have agreed, in principle, at an Oxfordshire Leaders meeting on 4 March for Oxfordshire to be a host venue over the next three years.  This will include hosting the overall start and finish in 2020 and 2021 and hosting Stage 3 of the event on 12 June 2019.  This is being led by Oxfordshire County Council who will contract with SweetSpot, the event organiser. 

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the county, and to maximise the potential economic value. SweetSpot estimate the economic benefits of the 2018 OVO Energy Women’s’ Cycle Tour to be £7.7 million. 

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour will also bring energy and focus to engage with local communities specifically around the health and wellbeing agenda. The delivery of this event will contribute significantly towards the key priorities set out in the Cherwell Business Plan.

Alternative options

Option 1: Do not agree to be part of the host venue (Oxfordshire). 

Cherwell District Council could decline the opportunity to be involved in this initiative. This option is not recommended because it would fail to bring the benefits outlined in this report to the residents and businesses of Cherwell.