Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director - Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

This report proposes a revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding for the Oxfordshire Growth Board, which requires approval by each of the Oxfordshire Council Cabinets / Executive. These are presented for consideration following a recent public review of the Growth Board’s role and functions, which has helped to inform the revisions made.

Similar reports to this one will be considered by respective Cabinets/Executives throughout Oxfordshire during July and early part of August 2020 as set out in paragraph 3.9.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1          Approve the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Appendices One and Two respectively.

1.2          Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents, the scale and nature of which does not result in terms that are substantially different from those approved in this report

Resolved

(1)      That the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)      That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents, the scale and nature of which does not result in terms that are substantially different from those approved in this report, which support the operational efficiency of the Growth Board’s work.

The Assistant Director - Growth and Economy submitted a report which  proposed a revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding for the Oxfordshire Growth Board, which required approval by each of the Oxfordshire Council Cabinets / Executive. These were presented for consideration following a recent public review of the Growth Board’s role and functions, which has helped to inform the revisions made.

Similar reports would be considered by respective Cabinets/Executives throughout Oxfordshire during July and early part of August 2020.

Resolved

(1)      That the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)      That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents, the scale and nature of which does not result in terms that are substantially different from those approved in this report, which support the operational efficiency of the Growth Board’s work.

Reasons

The Oxfordshire Growth Board carried out a formal review of its role and function to ensure that the most pragmatic and effective arrangements are in place to enable collaboration and delivery on Oxfordshire wide priorities. The revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding for the Growth Board have been updated to take account of the conclusions from the review.

Alternative options

Option One:  Withdrawal of CDC from ongoing participation from the Growth Board – this was rejected mainly because Cherwell is an integral part of Oxfordshire and it would disadvantage Cherwell residents, communities and businesses from taking advantage of future opportunities, generally, and, in future, possible future funding streams.

Option Two: Keeping the Growth Board as it was – this was rejected because there was evidence that the Growth Board needed to realign itself to changing circumstances and demands.