Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director - Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to introduce the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP), to engage the Council in its activities and to highlight the forthcoming launch of the OIEP’s Charter on 24 January 2023.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To broadly welcome the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP).

1.2         To actively engage with the OIEP by delegating authority to the Corporate Director – Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, to contribute to the OIEP Steering Group and Working Groups on behalf of the Council.

1.3         To authorise the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, to make appropriate pledges and to sign the OIEP’s Charter to reflect the commitments contained within the Council’s Delivery Plan (2022-2024).

Resolved

(1)           That the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) be broadly welcomed.

(2)           That it be agreed to actively engage with the OIEP by delegating authority to the Corporate Director – Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, to contribute to the OIEP Steering Group and Working Groups on behalf of the Council.

(3)           That the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, be authorised to make appropriate pledges and to sign the OIEP’s Charter to reflect the commitments contained within the Council’s Delivery Plan (2022-2024).

The Assistant Director - Growth and Economy submitted a report to introduce the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP), to engage the Council in its activities and to highlight the forthcoming launch of the OIEP’s Charter on 24 January 2023.

Resolved

(1)          That the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) be broadly welcomed.

(2)          That it be agreed to actively engage with the OIEP by delegating authority to the Corporate Director – Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, to contribute to the OIEP Steering Group and Working Groups on behalf of the Council.

(3)          That the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, be authorised to make appropriate pledges and to sign the OIEP’s Charter to reflect the commitments contained within the Council’s Delivery Plan (2022-2024).

Reasons

The Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) has developed a Charter as a statement of shared commitment to creating a more inclusive local economy, reflecting the broad ambitions of partners from throughout the county to engage everybody in the creation of stronger, more sustainable communities.

Pledges towards the aims of the Charter are being sought. It is recommended that, once the Charter and proposed pledges are clear, Cherwell District Council’s commitment reflects and promotes the policies, activities and commitments it has within its Business Plan and Delivery Plan (2022-2024). This will allow partners to understand this Council’s approach and to develop co-operative activity to address matters of shared interest.

The Charter is due to be launched in January 2023 and it is recommended that the Corporate Director – Communities be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economy, to make appropriate pledges and to sign the OIEP’s Charter to reflect the commitments contained within the Council’s Delivery Plan (2022-2024).

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to engage with the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership and not to sign the Charter or pledge towards its delivery. This was rejected because it would miss an opportunity to reinforce its current work by working in partnership to extend the resources in Cherwell to tackle the significant issues being faced by residents who are not included within the local economy. 

Option 2: To engage with the work of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership but neither sign the Charter nor pledge towards its delivery. This was rejected because it would suggest that the Council is not committed to the creation of an inclusive economy.