Agenda and draft minutes

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.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Oxfordshire Growth Board held on 31 March 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 31 March 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcement:

1.            The Chairman welcomed Councillor James Mills, the new Leader at West Oxfordshire Council, to the Growth Board.

2.            The Chairman advised that this would be the last meeting held by Cherwell District Council as the host authority.

Members of the public may ask questions of the Chairman of the Growth Board, or address the Growth Board on any substantive item at a meeting subject to the restrictions set out in the public participation scheme: Public Participation Scheme

Deadline to submit questions: By Friday 20 May 2016 in writing or email to the Chief Executive or Secretariat of the host authority

Deadline to submit requests to address the meeting: No later than noon on the day before the meeting (Wednesday 25 May 2016) in writing or email to the Chief Executive or Secretariat of the host authority

There was no public participation.

Report Contact: Paul Staines, Growth Board Programme Manager

Purpose of report

To provide the Growth Board (the Board) with an update on the Post-SHMA Strategic Work Programme (the Programme).

Recommendations

Officers ask the Board to note both progress of the Programme to date and the fact that it will not be achieved without the full continued commitment of all partners to the Programme, and to reaffirm that commitment.

The Growth Board Programme Manager submitted a report which provided the Growth Board (the Board) with an update on the Post-SHMA Strategic Work Programme (the Programme).

Resolved

(1)          That both progress of the Programme to date and the fact that it will not be achieved without the full continued commitment of all partners to the Programme, be noted and that commitment be reaffirmed.

Report Contact: Paul Staines, Growth Board Programme Manager

Purpose of report

To provide the Board with a summary of partnership funds held on the Board’s behalf by the lead authority as at 1 May 2016.

Recommendation

That the budget position be noted

The Growth Board Programme Manager submitted a report which provided a summary of partnership funds held on the Board’s behalf by the lead authority, Cherwell District Council, as at 1 May 2016.

Resolved

(1)          That the budget position be noted

Report Contact: Bev Hindle, Deputy Director, Strategy & Infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council

Background

At its meeting on 31 March 2016, the Growth Board noted within the work programme that the Executive Officer Group (EOG) had supported the development of an Infrastructure Strategy for Oxfordshire and that detailed project scoping should be prepared for Growth Board in May for approval.

Officers subsequently prepared a brief for the development of the strategy and this document was endorsed by the EOG on 12 May and is attached for approval by the Growth Board.

Recommendation

The Growth Board is asked to:

1.1       Agree the attached brief for an Infrastructure Strategy for Oxfordshire

The Deputy Director, Strategy & Infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council submitted a report which presented the Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy Brief

At its meeting on 31 March 2016, the Growth Board noted within the work programme that the Executive Officer Group (EOG) had supported the development of an Infrastructure Strategy for Oxfordshire and that detailed project scoping should be prepared for Growth Board in May for approval.

Officers subsequently prepared a brief for the development of the strategy and this document was endorsed by the EOG on 12 May and it was niw being submitted to the Growth Board for approval.

Resolved

(1)          That the brief for an Infrastructure Strategy for Oxfordshire (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.  

Report Contact: Dawn Pettis, Economic Strategy Manager, OxLEP

Purpose of the Report

Creating the Environment for Growth: Strategic Economic Plan for Oxfordshire – Consultation Draft (SEP Refresh)

Recommendations:

The Growth Board is asked to:

a)            Consider the implications and comment on the SEP Refresh within the context of its on-going joint statutory work, including in particular its work on planning for infrastructure development in the medium to long term

b)            Make comments on the SEP structure, priorities to 2020 and the identified commitments under each theme

c)            Note the timetable for the consultation period and the finalisation of the SEP Refresh

d)            Note the governance arrangement for delivering the SEP Refresh

The Chief Executive of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) presented the report of the Economic Strategy Manager, OxLEP, which presented the Strategic Economic Plan for Oxfordshire – Consultation Draft (SEP Refresh).

In response to Members’ comments regarding the timetable, the OxLEP Chief Executive confirmed that the timetable would be reviewed to allow the councils to consider the SEP Refresh within their own authorities.

Resolved

(1)          That the implications on the SEP Refresh within the context of its on-going joint statutory work, including in particular its work on planning for infrastructure development in the medium to long term be noted.

(2)          That no particular comments on the SEP structure, priorities to 2020 and the identified commitments under each theme be made at this time.

(3)          That the OxLEP board be requested to set a timetable for the consultation and finalisation which would allow the councils to have deliberations within their own processes.

(4)          That the governance arrangement for delivering the SEP Refresh be noted.

To consider and review the Board Work Programme.

The Board considered its Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)          That the Work Programme be noted.

The Board is asked to note the meeting dates for 2016/17 when Oxfordshire County Council will be the lead authority:

·         Monday 25 July 2016 (NB. This date is provisional and may be changed. Panel Members will be advised accordingly)

·         Monday 26 September 2016

·         Wednesday 30 November 2016

·         Tuesday 31 January 2017

·         Wednesday 29 March 2017

·         Thursday 1 June 2017

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.