Issue - meetings

** Please note this report will follow as it is currently being reviewed and finalised “”

Report of Chief Executive

Resolved

(1)           That it be agreed for Cherwell District Council to be part of the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership as it becomes formally recognised and funded by Government as a Pan-Regional Partnership (PRP). 

(2)           That the Leader be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Pan Regional Partnership.

The Chief Executive submitted a report regarding the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership. Proposals for a locally led Partnership for the Oxford to Cambridge region had been formally approved by government. The Partnership’s role would be to champion the region as a world leader in research and innovation in hi-tech, high-performance technology and manufacturing, acting to achieve environmentally sustainable and inclusive growth. It would strengthen cross-boundary collaboration among its partners to focus on tackling the issues that matter to the people who live and work in the region.

The Partnership’s initial programme was to develop a set of propositions to attract international investment and profile the region on a global stage; and

continue the work underway to embed shared Environment Principles.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Broad addressed Executive.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed for Cherwell District Council to be part of the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership as it becomes formally recognised and funded by Government as a Pan-Regional Partnership (PRP). 

(2)          That the Leader be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Pan Regional Partnership.

Reasons

Cherwell District Council supports partnership working locally, across Oxfordshire and beyond as there are real benefits to be achieved through potentially more efficient working, effective delivery at scale as well as access to additional funding and strength in working with and influencing central Government.

The Oxford to Cambridge region is an area of economic success and will continue to be so. It has been the consistent view of the Council to try its best to positively influence that growth and seek the greatest benefits for our communities. By working with other sector partners, as well as key stakeholders who directly influence that economic growth but who also seek to gain benefits for our local natural environment, we can benefit from sharing best practice, learning and also engage directly with those who have the most influence on our places and people. For these reasons it is recommended the Council continues to not only remain as a local partner, but to actively engage and where beneficial to the district, to lead wider partnership activity.

Alternative options

The following alternative options have been identified and rejected for the reasons as set out below.

Option 1: Not to be part of the PRP. This was rejected as the ability to positively influence collaboration across this geography and the access to resulting additional funding would be lost, to the detriment to the communities of Cherwell District Council.