Agenda and minutes

Resolved

The Councillor Barry Wood be appointed Chairman of the Oxfordshire Growth Board for the period of Cherwell District Council hosting the Board (until 1 July 2016).

Resolved

That Councillor Ian Hudspeth be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Oxfordshire Growth Board for the Period of Cherwell District Council hosting the Board (until 1 July 2016).

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

1.    The Chairman welcomed persons watching the meeting via the internet, as it was being webcast.

2.    There would be an item on the agenda of the 24 September 2015 regarding public participation.

3.    A number of questions had been submitted via email. All questions would be answered and responses sent directly to the individuals and groups who had submitted the questions as well as being published online.  

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2015.

The Minutes of meeting of the Board held on 25 June 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Growth Programme Board Manager

Purpose of the Report

To provide a synopsis of the Post-SHMA Strategic Work Programme (the Programme) along with a revised timetable, provided as an appendix to this report.

Recommendations

That the Growth Board:

(i)            Confirm that the emphasis on the Sovereignty of Local Plans in the key principles for the Post SHMA Strategic Work Programme remains appropriate.

(ii)          Endorse the detailed work programme and revised timetable.

(iii)         Request a more frequent pattern of Growth Board Meetings aligned with the Strategic Work Programme.

(iv)         Request that the Partners adopt a Coordination and Communication Protocol.

The Growth Programme Board Manager submitted a report which provided a synopsis of the Post-SHMA Strategic Work Programme along with a revised timetable.

In response to Members’ a questions regarding issue 17, Coordination and Communication, the Growth Programme Board Manager explained that this related to all partners working together and ensuring a consistent message.

In considering the report, Members commented they were pleased to see a more realistic timetable which would ensure robustness and increase the level of political oversight. 

It was highlighted that elements of the workstreams detailed in the work programme set out what would be done by the Growth Board and what individual local authorities would do independently.

All Members were satisfied that the duty to cooperate was being met and the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council requested that as a consequence of this partners did not seek to challenge other authorities through their local plans.

Resolved

(1)          That the emphasis on the Sovereignty of Local Plans in the key principles for the Post SHMA Strategic Work Programme remains appropriate be endorsed.

(2)          That the detailed work programme and revised timetable (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed.

(3)          That a more frequent pattern of Growth Board Meetings aligned with the Strategic Work Programme be agreed.

(4)          That the Coordination and Communication Protocol be adopted.

(5)          That a Confidentiality Protocol be drawn up and adopted.