Agenda item

For information: To consider a paper setting out an update on the progress of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) priorities and the launch and uptake of the OIEP Charter.

The Partnership considered a report setting out an update on the progress of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, (OIEP) priorities and the launch and uptake of the OIEP Charter. A copy of the draft OIEP Delivery Plan 2023/2024 and draft OIEP Strategy 2023/2026 were attached for information.

Emma Coles, OIEP Manager gave a presentation summarising the main points of the report.

Jeremy Long, Co-Chair of the OIEP thanked the Partnership for the contribution of its members towards the funding of the OIEP Manager post in the previous 12 months and to Emma Coles personally for her hard work and dedication over that period.

He commented that it was important to continue the momentum and progress made into the next 12 months. He paid tribute to the University of Oxford for its financial contribution towards the work of the OIEP and to Professor Irene Tracey for the establishment of a post which incorporated engagement with local communities. The OIEP Charter and pledges remained an effective way to communicate the aims and objectives of the OIEP and he was grateful for the activity of City and District council economic development officers for their continued assistance in sharing and promoting the OIEP.

The Chair commented that the Partnership was delighted to see the progress made to date with results already beginning to be realised. It was important therefore that the OIEP’s work continued at pace.

Jan Royall, Co-Chair added that assistance of local authorities in supporting the OIEP was gratefully received, but that in addition to this every effort was being made to engage with the business community and with voluntary groups as it was recognised that the partnership needed to be wider than local councils alone and that budgets were finite. The need for action around economic inclusivity was something demonstrated and evidenced in all its meetings and work and the aim of the OIEP was to build upon and not duplicate the already excellent work on inclusivity within the county.

In discussion, Councillor David Rouane referred to the scaling up of activity and then asked whether there was a sense of how much current activities in the inclusive activity programme should and could be scaled up in order to make a real and measurable impact or alternatively, would the onus be on the promotion of demonstrator type projects that others would implement. Members were informed that the OIEP was in many cases building on existing best practice, but that it was fully recognised that it was necessary to shift the dial around inclusivity as a result of making a real impact. This was necessary because Oxfordshire economy was not yet inclusive and as a result, both people and businesses were suffering. As an example of the OIEP’s activity, it was assisting the Growing Minds project in seeking to raise around £100k. This could only be achieved through partnership working but was just the beginning of what could be achieved.

A number of members of the Partnership spoke to work being undertaken by the OIEP in partnership with others to promote pathways into work for ex-offenders leaving prison such as the planned open day for employers at Bullingdon Prison and the potentially significant mutual benefits to ex-offenders, employers, and society, in particular in light of the high rates of vacancies within the county.

The work of the OIEP in supporting the delivery of early years provision was also very important and it was pleasing to note that a number of organisations which had signed up to Charter Pledges were also releasing their staff to act as volunteers. Councillor Liz Leffman commented that it was important that this resource was prioritised into the areas of the county with the highest need. Jeremy Long responded that the OIEP had coordinated a map for the ARCh that showed areas with vacancies for readers so resource could best be matched with need.

With regard to the challenge of scaling up activity in order to make a real impact, Jeremy Long stressed the importance of further communications to further promote awareness of the Charter and pledges. Experience to date suggested that when communications was undertaken it was effective, but often feedback from organisations was that they were committed to supporting economic inclusivity and recognised the benefits to their own organisations of doing so, but did not know where to look to offer their support.

Professor Irene Tracy highlighted the contribution that the universities could make and referred to the Continuing Education Department of the University of Oxford which was celebrating its 150^th year. There was a potential opportunity for lifelong learning, education, assisting people back into the workplace and discussions were taking place at to what assistance could be provided.

RESOLVED: That Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership update report be noted.