Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director - Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval for a financial contribution of £133,000 to be made to install related digital infrastructure along the East West rail route, and for delegated authority to be given to officers to progress any necessary agreements.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To authorise investment of £133,000 in digital infrastructure along the East West Rail line.

1.2       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, the S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to progress this workstream and to enter into any necessary agreement with partners to enable the works to proceed.

Resolved

(1)          That investment of £133,000 in digital infrastructure along the East West Rail line be authorised.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, the S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to progress this workstream and to enter into any necessary agreement with partners to enable the works to proceed.

The Assistant Director - Growth and Economy submitted a report to seek approval for a financial contribution of £133,000 to be made to install related digital infrastructure along the East West rail route, and for delegated authority to be given to officers to progress any necessary agreements.

Resolved

(1)          That investment of £133,000 in digital infrastructure along the East West Rail line be authorised.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, the S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to progress this workstream and to enter into any necessary agreement with partners to enable the works to proceed.

Reasons

By Summer 2024, East West Rail Phase 2 will provide the first direct rail link in more than 50 years between Oxford and Bletchley/Milton Keynes, transforming connectivity and journey times for people and businesses to, from and through Cherwell district and across the heart of the country. It is expected to:

·         Boost economic growth and create opportunities for new housing and jobs

·         Encourage people out of cars and onto public transport

·         Provide a greener low carbon transport system

The Council has committed to assist the East West Rail project. Funding is, alongside partner local authorities, now being requested to enable digital fibre infrastructure to be installed. To expedite delivery, it is recommended that delegation of authority for officers to progress work streams and to enter into legal agreement with partners is granted.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to proceed with investing £133,000 in digital infrastructure as part of the East West Rail project. This is not recommended as it would mean that the Council is not meeting its earlier agreement in principle to join with other Councils to contribute towards and to benefits from the investment in the related digital infrastructure.

Option 2: Not to delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Communities but to require the Council or its nominated committee to participate in negotiations and formation of the legal agreement.  This is not recommended as it would cause delay, placing at risk the delivery of the East West Rail project. Furthermore, the Council has already committed to supporting the project in principle.