Agenda item

To consider the report of the head of devolution and government (to follow).

The committee considered the report of the head of devolution and government on a proposed joint spatial plan for Oxfordshire.

Councillor Matthew Barber, Leader of the Council, introduced this item. Also present to answer questions were Andrew Down, head of devolution and government and Adrian Duffield, head of planning services.

Councillor Barber gave a presentation that had been made to the Oxfordshire Growth Board on the proposed housing and growth deal for Oxfordshire, as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his budget speech.

He reported that, through the deal, Oxfordshire would be required to commit to:

·         The submission and adoption, subject to the inspection process, of a joint statutory spatial plan (JSSP) covering all five district councils in Oxfordshire, by 2021

·         Plan for and support the delivery of 100,000 new homes between 2011 and 2031 – backed up with a credible plan for delivery, outlining interim milestones and targets as agreed with the Homes and Communities Agency and Government

In return, the Government would agree to provide Oxfordshire with a comprehensive funding package of up to £215m to secure this ambitious housing and growth deal, as follows:

·         Up to £60m for affordable housing, provided this delivers sufficient value for money to be agreed in the forthcoming delivery plan

·         Up to £150m funding for infrastructure to unlock key housing sites, to be administered £30m per annum for five years

·         £5m resource funding to boost capacity to get a joint plan in place and support housing delivery, and

As part of the growth deal, the Government promised to explore options to grant Oxfordshire certain time-limited planning flexibilities, subject to consultation where appropriate.

The first milestone in the agreement was the preparation of a statement of common ground by 31 March 2018.

In response to members’ questions, the Leader reported that:

·         The housing and growth deal had not specified whether the JSSP was to be prepared under Section 28 or 29 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  He strongly favoured seeking an Oxfordshire JSSP under Section 28 as this was simpler, allowed greater flexibilities and gave ultimate power for deciding where development was planned, to each local planning authority.

·         He did not consider funding of up to £150m particularly generous given that it was to be shared amongst the Oxfordshire districts over a five year period.

·         The 100,000 new homes by 2031 included those already planned for so represented a relatively small increase.

·         However, a firmer commitment was needed from Government than currently offered, including confirmation that any requirement to deliver additional housing would not be counted against the Vale’s five year housing land supply.

It was the committee’s view that the preparation of an Oxfordshire JSSP would help to fulfil Oxford City’s unmet housing need.

Following further discussion, it was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED: to advise Cabinet of the committee’s view that, in order for the housing and growth deal to be acceptable:

1.    The Oxfordshire joint statutory spatial plan must be prepared under Section 28 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.    There should be clear evidence of benefits for both Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

3.    Any motion to Council would need to provide further detail of what the Government would provide in return for the Oxfordshire councils’ commitments.