The Growth Board is a joint committee of the six
councils of Oxfordshire together with key strategic partners. The
role and purpose of the Board is to:
-
Coordinate local
efforts to manage economic, housing and infrastructure development
in a way that is inclusive and maximises local social and
environmental benefits;
-
Support the
development of local planning policy that meets the UK
Government’s stated aim of net zero carbon by 2050, and
contributes towards biodiversity gain whilst embracing the changes
needed for a low carbon world; and,
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Seek to secure
funding in the pursuit of these aims and oversee the delivery of
related work programmes delegated to it by the Joint
Committee’s constituent local authority members.
It does this by overseeing the delivery of projects
that the councils of Oxfordshire are seeking to deliver
collaboratively in the fields of economic development and strategic
planning. This cooperation has helped Oxfordshire to secure over
£500m of additional investment, such as through the City
Deal, Housing and Growth Deal, Housing Infrastructure Fund and the
Oxfordshire Rail Connectivity Study. The Growth Board also has an
important role in representing Oxfordshire on matters of regional
interest.
The Board meets six times each
year to discuss issues facing Oxfordshire’s future, most
often in a non-decision-making capacity. It is supported by four
Advisory Sub-Groups (Infrastructure, Environment, Housing and
Oxfordshire Plan 2050), a Scrutiny Panel and a small team of
officers who are tasked with delivering on elements of the
Board’s work programme. The Board’s work is guided by
an overarching Strategic Vision which will be published in
2021.
Agendas and minutes of the
Growth Board’s meetings in 2020/2021 can be found
above. Further information about the
Growth Board can be found on its website: www.oxfordshiregrowthboard.org