Agenda item

To consider a report to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership setting out proposed updates to the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal Homes from Infrastructure Programme.

The Panel considered a report to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership which set out the results of a review of the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, (OHGD) Homes from Infrastructure Programme, (HfI). The report also proposed that the Partnership endorse the removal of the Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor schemes from the HfI Programme and reallocation of their funding to other schemes within the programme that were facing cost pressures.

John McLauchlan, Head of Service, Infrastructure Programme Office, Oxfordshire County Council presented the report to the Panel and answered members’ questions. He highlighted that:

·           The HfI Programme was entering its key delivery phase within the five year programme period.

·           A number of schemes were scheduled to enter construction imminently, but since the formulation of the programme and budget allocation circumstances had changed significantly including the impacts of issues such the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.

·           Latest estimates indicated that a number of HfI schemes faced significant cost pressures if they were to be fully deliverable. As the total budget for the HfI was fixed it had been necessary to investigate options to reallocate funding and as a result of this exercise it was proposed to reallocate funding from the Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor to other schemes as set out in the report.

·           In considering which schemes to reallocate funding from the rationale had been to select schemes where removal of funding would have the least impact on the acceleration of the delivery of housing and the least impact on the delivery of infrastructure by March 2023.

·           It was important from a reputational perspective to demonstrate to HM Government that Oxfordshire continued to be a reliable deliver partner for accelerated housing and infrastructure.

In discussion, the Panel whilst acknowledging the need to review the HfI Programme within the limited confines of the terms of the Housing and Growth Deal, was extremely concerned with the proposals to remove funding from the creation of segregated cycling infrastructure on the Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Schemes. This was on the basis that reallocation of funding away from these schemes to those schemes that are focused on improving road infrastructure for cars would be contrary to the Oxfordshire County Council’s strategic priorities to address the climate emergency and promote active travel. The Panel felt that reallocating the funding away from these schemes would negatively impact the councils’ reputation as a delivery partner for future transportation infrastructure funding in the context of climate change. It was noted that the Woodstock Road cycling infrastructure was an essential to nearby proposed major developments in Oxford North. 

A number of members also referred to the need to promote modular housing and it was agreed that Officers would recirculate an information paper on Modern Methods of Construction.

RESOLVED to recommend:

1.     That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership be strongly requested not to endorse the proposal to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet for the removal of further funding from two schemes currently within the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal Homes from Infrastructure programme – Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor.

2.     That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership be requested not to endorse the proposal to Oxfordshire County Council for the re-allocation of the remaining funding from Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor across a number of car-orientated infrastructure schemes in the Housing from Infrastructure programme which are projecting cost pressures.

3.     That the Future Oxford Partnership acknowledge that BSIP funding does not change the urgent demand and need for segregated cycling infrastructure on the Woodstock and Banbury road corridors.

4.     That if the proposed changes are regrettably agreed by Oxfordshire County Council, the Future Oxfordshire Partnership support accelerated efforts to identify and secure alternative funding for the Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor schemes.

5.     That if the proposed changes are regrettably agreed by Oxfordshire County Council, the Future Oxfordshire Partnership urgently support the provision of temporary segregated cycle lanes on the Woodstock Road e.g., through an e-Traffic Regulation Orders.

6.     That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership lobby HM Government to increase funding for the Homes from Infrastructure Programme given the unprecedented impact of inflationary cost pressures on all capital projects.