Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

The newly incorporated, Bicester Vision CIC (Community Interest Company) will be give a presentation to Executive about how their activities align with the Council’s business plan and emerging Cherwell Industrial Strategy. 

To consider whether to fund the company for a three-year period and delegate the final decision to the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation S.151 Officer and Lead Member for Economy, Regeneration and Property.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To receive a presentation from Bicester Vision about their plans and how these align with the Council’s business plan and emerging Cherwell Industrial Strategy.

1.2           To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation  with the S.151 officer and the Lead Member for Economy, Regeneration & Property, to determine whether to support the funding of Bicester Vision for a three year term, in the sum of £15,000 per annum.

Resolved

(1)            That the presentation from Bicester Vision about their plans and how these align with the Council’s business plan and emerging Cherwell Industrial Strategy be noted.

(2)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation  with the S.151 officer and the Leader of the Council, to determine whether to support the funding of Bicester Vision for a three year term, in the sum of £15,000 per annum.

Prior to consideration of the report, the outgoing Chairman, Phil Shadbolt, the incoming Chairman, Lyndon Robinson, and the Partnership Manager, Grae Laws, of the newly incorporated, Bicester Vision CIC (Community Interest Company) gave a presentation about how their activities aligned with the Council’s business plan and emerging Cherwell Industrial Strategy. 

The Assistant Director – Growth and Economy submitted a report to consider whether to fund the company for a three-year period and delegate the final decision to the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation S.151 Officer and Lead Member for Economy, Regeneration and Property.

Resolved

(1)            That the presentation from Bicester Vision about their plans and how these align with the Council’s business plan and emerging Cherwell Industrial Strategy be noted.

(2)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation  with the S.151 officer and the Leader of the Council, to determine whether to support the funding of Bicester Vision for a three year term, in the sum of £15,000 per annum.

Reasons

Members are invited to receive the presentation and decide whether to continue the funding of the new CIC for a three year period.

Alternative options

Option 1: Withdraw support for Bicester Vision – this option was rejected because CDC may wish to continue supporting Bicester Vision.

Option 2: Explore other options for participating in some other public-private partnership in Bicester – this option was rejected because there are no other such partnerships in Bicester.