Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership for the 2022/2023 Future Oxfordshire Partnership year – June 2022 to May 2023.

Kevin Jacob, Senior Democratic Services Officer for the Future Oxfordshire Partnership opened the meeting and welcomed those present before calling for nominations for the office of Chair.

Councillor Susan Brown proposed Councillor Barry Wood as Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership for the year 2022/2023 and this was seconded by Councillor Liz Leffman. There being no other nominations this was confirmed by the voting members present.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Barry Wood be elected as Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership for the 2022/2033 year.

Councillor Wood took the Chair at this point and proposed that Councillor Brown be elected as Vice-Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership for the year 2022/2023. This was duly seconded and upon there being no other nominations this was confirmed by the voting members present.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Susan Brown be elected as Vice-Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership for the 2022/2023 year.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Andy Graham, West Oxfordshire District Council, Professor Alistair Fitt, Universities’ representative, Dr David Chapman, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Miranda Markham, OxLEP business representative, Bicester.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair paid tribute to Councillor Michele Mead who had chaired the Partnership during the previous year for her service and hard work and commented that he intended to write a letter on behalf of the Partnership to express its thanks.

The Chair also remarked that Adrian Lockwood was standing down as Chair of the Oxfordshire Skills Board and that this was therefore his last Partnership meeting. The Chair paid tribute to Adrian and thanked him on behalf of all the members of the Partnership for all his contributions. With the permission of the Chair, Adrian addressed the Partnership and thanked them.

The Chair commented that with the permission of the meeting it was intended to vary the order of items on the Agenda to deal with the Oxford to Cambridge Arc update and annual appointments.

To adopt and sign as correct formal records the minutes of the informal meetings of Future Oxfordshire Partnerships members held on 25 January 2022 and 22 March 2022.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the informal meetings of members of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership held on 25 January 2022 and 22 March 2022 be approved as a correct record of those meetings.

Asking a question and addressing the Partnership
Questions or requests to make an address (in full and in writing) must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 7 June, three clear working days before the Future Oxfordshire Partnership meeting.

Questions and addresses should be no longer than one side of A4 paper in Arial 12 font. The address or question will be circulated to the Partnership and public speakers will be invited to speak at the meeting. Written submissions may also be read out by the Chair or Democratic Services Officer where requested or if the person making the request for public speaking is not able to attend the meeting. A response may be given at the meeting or a written answer supplied. The Chair will have discretion to manage the public participation procedure as they see appropriate. Questions and notice of addresses must be submitted to futureoxfordshirepartnership@southandvale.gov.uk

Note: This meeting may be recorded for live broadcast. At the start of the meeting the Chair will confirm the meeting is being filmed. By registering to speak you are consenting to being recorded and to the use of those video and audio recordings for webcasting.

John Hill asked a question about the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Regulation 18 Part 2 consultation. Along with others, he had questioned policy option 22 within the Plan consultation document, specifically a table on page 107 taken from the Oxfordshire Growth Needs Assessment, (OGNA) which set out five employment projections.  In his view, the time available for public consultation had been limited, and it had not been possible to obtain any detailed information as to the assumptions made in the preparation of the employment projections despite contacting the Oxfordshire Plan Team over an extended period as set out in his full written question.

The Partnership was asked to provide an answer to:

·           The assumptions behind the forecasts/ projections in the Oxfordshire Plan 2050.

·           In the table what are projections, what are forecasts and what are targets.

·           Were the projections/ forecasts still valid in view of the changed economic situation.

·           Are the forecasts/projections reliable enough to be any part of the evidence base for the Plan.

At the invitation of the Chair, Giles Hughes, Senior Responsible Officer for the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, and Chief Executive of West Oxfordshire District Council provided an initial response to the first question. He commented that the purpose of including projections within the Plan consultation document had been to help the public and councils understand the range of possible futures that might be planned for within the Oxfordshire Plan. It had not been the purpose of the consultation document to set out a definitive position or ‘right answer’, rather its purpose was to explain the range of scenarios. It was recognised that a review of the evidence base that would support the Plan would be necessary and this was an ongoing exercise in light of comments made during the consultation and also the current economic circumstances.

David Young asked a question on behalf of Need Not Greed Oxfordshire, (NNGO) in reference to the response given by the Partnership to a previous question. NNGO understood that final decisions around the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 would be taken by the individual councils. However, in NNGO’s opinion to suggest that individual councils would consider a peer review of the OGNA was not logical and that it was NNGO’s view that the Partnership could and should have a role in coordinating an OGNA peer review. The Partnership was asked: 

·           What is the project timetable for the Oxfordshire 2050 Plan?

·           What is the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 team currently working on?

·           How could they be developing a spatial strategy without agreeing the number of houses to be built?

·           How would criticisms of the growth options presented in the Oxfordshire Growth Needs Assessment and the Reg 18 consultation be addressed? 

·           What assessment has the Future Oxfordshire Partnership/Advisory Group made of the recently published report into the OGNA by Opinion Research Services which found that '“The unjustified use of adjustments made to official projections and the Standard Method together with the lack of a conventional central economic forecast call into question the soundness of this document  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

For information: To receive any relevant updates from the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s Director concerning developments within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.

The Partnership considered a supplementary report under this item which set out the basis of which appointments could be made to represent the Future Oxfordshire Partnership covering the area currently known as the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. In introducing the report, the Chair also commented that if there were groups or boards emerging from the revised arrangement across the Arc that the Partnership would have representation on, it should seek the appointment of two representatives rather than one if at all possible.

RESOLVED: That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership agrees the principles that:

1.     the Chair should be its representative on any emerging Arc collaboration board.

2.     in the event that the Chair is unavailable or is a member of the collaboration board in another capacity, the Vice-Chair should be the FOP’s representative.

For Action: To agree appointments to the following roles:

a)     Oxford to Cambridge Arc Leaders Executive Group – 3 local authority nominations plus one standing deputy (if required).

b)     Growth Board Housing Advisory Group Chair

c)     Growth Board Environment Advisory Group Chair

d)   Growth Board Infrastructure Advisory Group Chair

e)   Growth Board Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory Group Chair and;

f)     To confirm that the England’s Economic Heartland Strategic Transport Forum nomination will continue to rotate with the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s Chairmanship.

The Chair proposed and it was duly seconded that the following Future Oxfordshire Partnership appointments be made en bloc for the 2022/2023 year.

a)     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Housing Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Susan Brown.

b)     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Environment Advisory Group Chair – Councillor David Rouane.

c)     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Infrastructure Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Liz Leffman.

d)     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Emily Smith and;

e)     To confirm that the England’s Economic Heartland Strategic Transport Forum nomination will continue to rotate with the chairing of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership – Councillor Barry Wood.

In light of the principles agreed in the previous item regarding the Partnership’s appointment to any emerging Arc collaboration board, Councillor Brown suggested formalising the approach that would be taken in the event that it was possible to appoint two rather than one representative. This was supported.

RESOLVED: That the following Future Oxfordshire Partnership related appointments be made for the 2022/2023 Future Oxfordshire Partnership year:

1.     Emerging Arc Collaboration Board,

2.     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Housing Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Susan Brown.

3.     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Environment Advisory Group Chair – Councillor David Rouane.

4.     Future Oxfordshire Partnership Infrastructure Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Liz Leffman.

5.     Future Oxfordshire Partnership 2050 Advisory Group Chair – Councillor Emily Smith and;

To confirm that the England’s Economic Heartland Strategic Transport Forum nomination will continue to rotate with the chairing of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership. –Councillor Barry Wood.

For action: To receive any recommendations from the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 7 June 2022.

The Chair invited Councillor Katherine Miles, Chair of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Scrutiny Panel, to present the recommendations from the Panel’s meeting held on 7 June 2022 which had been circulated in advance.

Councillor Miles explained that the Panel’s recommendations related to three main areas. The Oxfordshire Plan 2050 consultation feedback, the Homes from Infrastructure Programme and the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership which are summarised below:

Consideration of Oxfordshire Plan 2050 consultation responses

1.     That the Future Oxfordshire include both qualitative and quantitative data as ‘not everything that matters can be measured’, ensure the provision of documents in formats which are abridged and/or expressed in as much non-technical terms as possible and ensure the availability of a non online mechanism for the public to engage with and respond to future Oxfordshire Plan 2050 consultations.

Review of Homes from Infrastructure (HfI) Programme

2.     That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership:

a.     Be strongly requested not to endorse the proposal to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet for the Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor and not endorse the re-allocation of the remaining funding.

b.     acknowledge that BSIP funding does not change the urgent demand and need for segregated cycling infrastructure on the Woodstock and Banbury road corridor and that if proposed changes were agreed by Oxfordshire County Council, the Future Oxfordshire Partnership support accelerated efforts to identify and secure alternative funding for the Woodstock Road.

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

Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership Update

3.     The need to ensure due emphasis within the opening statement of the Charter relate to inequalities within the whole county of Oxfordshire and not only within the city of Oxford, the need within the document to recognise the importance of the development of technical skills through apprenticeships and the need for recognition within the text of the Charter of the contribution of all employer types to addressing inequality.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Miles and congratulated her on becoming Chair of the Scrutiny Panel. The recommendations of the Panel were welcomed and the Partnership looked forward to continuing its close and co-operative relationship with it including attending meetings if they were requested to. He commented that full responses to the recommendations would be supplied in writing.

For information: To provide the Future Oxfordshire Partnership with an update on the progress of the Oxfordshire Economic Recovery Plan.

The Partnership considered a report which set out an update on the progress of the Oxfordshire Economic Recovery Plan, (ERP) and the headline performance of Oxfordshire’s economy as it emerged from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. It also identified the need for a system wide approach to responding to the Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity programmes published by HM Government in order to maximise resources to support the locality.

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP and Jeremy Long, Chair of OxLEP presented the report and responded to questions.  It was highlighted that:

• It had been an objective to develop an ERP that was reflective of the contributions of the whole system, not only OxLEP
• The approach to securing HM Government had been adapted to support business during Covid.
• There was investment in the development of green skills and climate change, as well as supporting areas such as the visitor economy and other challenges
• It had been possible to utilise and bring forward Business Investment Funds
• The Oxfordshire economy had bounced back strongly from Covid, but working with its partners, OxLEP would continue to seek to address the challenges that remained such as the repositioning of town centres
• Under OxLEP’s social contract programme it was working closely with initiatives under the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership to support those who found it difficult to enter the workplace including groups of young people. 

The Chair commented on the value and breadth of the joint activity and scale of investment being undertaken between OxLEP and local authorities as set out in the ERP Monitoring Plan, including the £750,000 for skills development and the £3.3m within the Outbreak Management Fund. Councillor Brown referred to the importance of the Inclusive Economy Charter and stressed the importance of promoting it to employers so that they had the workforce they needed and that no populations within the county were left behind.

Councillor Rouane asked whether the labour shortages referred to within the report arose through vacancies for high skilled jobs which would require additional training or were those vacancies comprised of lower skilled roles which were not being filled. Nigel Tipple responded that there was a combination of factors at play including a nationwide shortage of staff in the hospitality sectors, which had traditionally relied on a non-UK workforce who had not returned to the UK following the pandemic and Brexit. Other workers had moved into sectors with other sectors where they assessed the terms and conditions were better and were reluctant to move back.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership notes the progress being made in

       delivering the Economic Recovery Plan and the key issues facing the

       economy

2.    That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership maintains its support for continued

       whole-system working, through the Economic Recovery Task Group, to

       address the economic challenges faced in Oxfordshire. In so doing ensure

       the co-ordination of resources across the “whole system” structures to support investment in businesses and local communities.

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

The Partnership considered a report which set out the results of a review of the Housing and Growth Deal Homes from Infrastructure Programme and recommended changes to the funding allocations. John McLauchlan, Head of Service, Infrastructure Programme Office, Oxfordshire County Council presented the report and answered member questions.

In discussion members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but commented on the importance of making the best use of the limited resources available with the parameters of the Housing and Growth Deal. Councillor Leffman added that it was acknowledged that the Central Oxfordshire Transport Strategy, (COTS) should be cognitive of bus routes as both the Banbury and Woodstock Road were key bus routes and the need to connect Oxford to all parts of the county for everyone, not just cyclists was fully recognised. Although at an early stage, the COTS would cover a number of headings including measures such as bus filters, bus lanes and active travel facilities. Consultation would also be undertaken and funding opportunities would be pursued holistically.

RESOLVED: That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership:

1.     Endorse the removal of further funding from two schemes currently within the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal programme – Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor

2.     Endorse the re-allocation of the remaining funding from Woodstock Road Corridor and Banbury Road Corridor across a number of schemes in the programme which are projecting cost pressures – especially those entering their Construction phases

3.     Note the intended timescale for the formal consideration of these proposals at the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet meeting on 19 July 2022.

4.        Note that a second change report will now also come forward – intended for meeting of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership on 26 July 2022 and then Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet on 20September 2022 – allowing for a further review of the current programme’s pressures and also an assessment of any additional schemes identified as being suitable for inclusion in the programme.

For information: To inform the Future Oxfordshire Partnership of the findings of a recent lessons learned review of the Growth Deal Homes from Infrastructure (HfI) programme.

The Partnership considered a report which set out the findings of a recent lessons learned review of the Housing and Growth Deal Homes from Infrastructure, (HfI) programme. The report was introduced by Paul Staines, Interim Head of Programme who highlighted that:

·           The findings of the review had reflected many comments that many members of the Partnership were likely to be previously aware of.

·           In considering the report in a context of a lessons learnt review, it was also important to be cognisant of the success including the delivery of a HfI programme which remained above the targets agreed with HM Government.

·           The Housing and Growth Deal was an important, but relatively modest funding stream, with the majority of successful housing delivery work taking place within local planning authorities through local plans and developer engagement.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

For information: To receive an update from the Infrastructure Advisory Group meetings held on 28 February 2022 and 25 May 2022. Summary notes from the meeting held on 28 February 2022 are attached.

Councillor Leffman referred to the notes of the meeting of the Infrastructure Advisory Group held on 28 February 2022 and highlighted that the application for Bus Service Improvement Plan, (BSIP) had been returned to HM Government for consideration. Oxfordshire had been fortunate to provisionally secure some £12m funding through the BSIP bid process and a response was hoped for soon.

RESOLVED: That the update report be noted.

For information: To receive an update from the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory Group.  Summary notes from the meeting held on 17 February 2022, 17 March 2022 and 29 April 2022 are attached.

Councillor Smith referred to the notes of the meetings of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory Group held on 17 February, 17 March and 29 April 2022. It was highlighted that a second joint workshop between council leaders and members of the advisory group was expected to take place in July. Communication around the Plan remained an area of focus.

RESOLVED: That the update report be noted.

For information: To receive an update from the Environment Advisory Group. Summary notes from the meeting held on 24 March 2022 are attached.

Councillor David Rouane referred to the notes of the meeting of the Environment Advisory Group held on 24 March 2022. He highlighted the issue of solar farms, in light of the growth in planning applications and issues around housing, farming and land use and suggested that this was an item the Partnership might wish to examine in some way. Councillor Smith commented that it was an open question whether solar farm policy best sat at Oxfordshire Plan or Local Plan level, but there was a need as an Oxfordshire system to give the issues raised due consideration.

The Chair undertook to discuss with others how the issue might most appropriately be taken forward and considered within the Partnership.

Councillor Brown also suggested that consideration should also be given to the impact of food strategy and how this might most appropriately be considered at the Oxfordshire level as this also had cross cutting sustainability and inclusivity implications.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

For information: To provide an update on the progress of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP), for May 2022.

The Partnership considered a report which provided an update on the progress of Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, (OIEP). The report was presented by Clayton Lavallin, Principal Regeneration and Economic Officer, Oxford City Council.

Jeremy Long, Chair of OxLEP paid tribute to Clayton Lavallin for his work in supporting the OIEP and highlighted that the OIEP and the Inclusivity Charter was an Oxfordshire wide programme and which had good innovative support from the business community and which now needed to be promoted. 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

For action: To consider proposed minor technical changes to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Terms of Refence, Memorandum of Understanding and the Terms of Reference of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership advisory groups.

The Partnership considered a report which set out minor technical changes to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Terms of Refence, Memorandum of Understanding and the Terms of Reference of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership advisory groups. Kevin Jacob, Senior Democratic Services Officer for the Future Oxfordshire Partnership presented the report.

RESOLVED: That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership approve:

1.     The amendment of para 2.2 of the Partnership’s Terms of Reference by the replacement of a representative from the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group with a representative from the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and West Berkshire Integrated Care Board as set out in Appendix 1.

2.     An updated Memorandum of Understanding to reflect the name change from Oxfordshire Growth Board to Future Oxfordshire Partnership as set out in Appendix 2.

3.        The amendment of para 2.3 of the Terms of Reference of the Housing Advisory subgroup, Infrastructure Advisory subgroup and Environment Advisory subgroup and para 2.4 of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 Advisory subgroup in respect of the appointment of substitute members, as set out in Appendices 3-6.

For information: To note and comment on the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s Forward Plan. 

Kevin Jacob, Senior Democratic Services Officer, presented the Partnership’s Forward Plan.

The Chair commented that along with officers, he would be reviewing the Forward Programme to see if opportunities for dedicated topic work could be undertaken and that he had asked officers to do all that they could to around the timeliness of the availability of Partnership and advisory group papers. 

RESOLVED: That the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Forward Programme be noted. 

For information: Future Oxfordshire Partnership members and officers may verbally update the Partnership on progress on matters previously before the Partnership for consideration, listed in the forward plan, or relevant to the Partnership’s future decisions.  This is for the sharing of information and no decisions will be taken. 

No matters were raised which had not been covered within the Agenda.

The dates of Future Oxfordshire Partnership meetings are below. Please refer to https://futureoxfordshirepartnership.org/meetings/

for the most up to date information on times and locations.

·           Tuesday 26 July 2022

·           Tuesday 27 September 2022

·           Tuesday 29 November 2022

·           Monday 23 January 2023

·           Monday 20 March 2023

·           Tuesday 13 June 2023

·           Tuesday 25 July 2023

The Future Oxfordshire Partnership noted the date of Future meetings as set out in the Agenda.