Cabinet considered the head of policy and programmes’ report, which proposed a revised delivery plan for Didcot Garden Town. The new plan would bring forward community improvements, assist recovery of the area following the pandemic, and address the climate emergency.
The council had been working with South Oxfordshire District Council on the new plan. The respective Cabinets were being asked to draw funds from their Council-approved reserves to fund delivery. The initial estimate was £825,000, with £165,000 being from the Vale and £660,000 from South Oxfordshire. Cabinet was asked to authorise the movement of the council’s funds into the budget year 2022/23. Any unspent funds at the financial year end would be carried forward into following years.
Cabinet welcomed the new delivery plan, believing that it was simpler and more deliverable than the previous delivery plan. Cabinet particularly welcomed the environmental benefits the plan would bring, including road improvements, cycling and walking improvements, and a green spaces project. The plan would be delivered by working with South Oxfordshire, as well as Oxfordshire County Council and Homes England. Officers were thanked for producing a plan that was more deliverable.
RESOLVED to:
(a) approve the revised delivery plan for Didcot Garden Town, as shown in Appendix 2 to the head of policy and programmes’ report to Cabinet on 24 June 2022; and
(b) agree a supplementary estimate to the 2022/23 revenue budget £165,000 from Vale of White Horse District Council, fully funded from the grant monies held in the council's reserves, thereafter, to be managed by the relevant budget holder to deliver the approved delivery plan.
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Vale of White Horse District Council
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