Cabinet, on 9 September 2020 (‘Land Acquisition, Project Approvals and Budget for the Development of Homes in the Housing Revenue Account’) resolved to:

1.    Give project approval to the proposals to purchase land, enter into build contracts  and any other necessary agreements or contracts and incur associated development cost spends, as set out in the report, and within the allocated HRA capital budgets and business plan for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford; and

4.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing*, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing; the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into agreements for the purchase of land, and any other necessary agreements or contracts and/or spend within the identified budget, for the provision of additional affordable housing.

*This delegation is now within the remit of the Executive Director (Communities and People).

To enter into a minor works contract for the sum of £466,555 to demolish the buildings at Northfield Hostel.

This decision was delegated to officers under Part 4.4 of the Council’s Constitution: all executive functions except those in Part 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 are delegated to the officers in the senior management structure.

Following invitations to 3 firms and the receipt of 2 written quotes, the decision is to appoint Prior and Partners to undertake the work sought. The quote is within the budget set, with a spend of up to £15k.

Cabinet,  on 19 October 2022(‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan’), resolved to:

1.      Endorse the Oxford City Council UK Shared Prosperity Investment Plan, as submitted to government on 1 August under a delegated officer decision, in order to secure up to £1m of funding for the city;

2.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) to take the necessary decisions and actions to oversee the UKSPF investment plan, including implementing and administering the scheme and the resulting projects in accordance with the requirements and priorities of the prospectus and fund;

4.      Recommend to Council the establishing of capital and revenue budgets in accordance with paragraph 21 of the report.

Council, on 28 November 2022, resolved to establish capital and revenue budgets in accordance with paragraph 21 of the report.

1.       To agree a proposal for the council’s Year 3 UKSPF investment plan, including the activities to be delivered under the People and Skills Investment theme.

2.       To allocate £210k of the People and Skills funding to a set of projects deliver the outputs and outcomes in the investment plan for E39: Green Skills, and E33: Supporting people into employment and training. This includes:

-         £95k on Demand Stimulation activities – to generate awareness of and demand for green skills courses, including among cohorts where these skills aren’t currently sought. This includes an investment in internal capacity to embed these outcomes into Community Employment and Procurement Plans; and providing funding to support community level triage into skills, training and employment opportunities.

-         £115k on Course Delivery – Including a Demand-responsive fund to support businesses and individuals to achieve Green Skills qualifications; and an investment in OCC capacity to deliver Carbon Literacy courses to staff and ZCOP partners.

3.       To reallocate £30k from People and skills investment theme to support Strategy/Feasibility gaps elsewhere in the programme. Includes investments in a Skills Gap Analysis, Affordable Workspace Strategy, and Enabling works for City Centre Animation.

This decision was delegated to officers under Part 4.4 of the Council’s Constitution: all executive functions except those in Part 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 are delegated to the officers in the senior management structure.

To award the Call-off Terms and Conditions: Schedule 5 to Framework Agreement to MLCS3 to carry out stock condition surveys to 5000 properties for two years for the sum of £200,000, following a mini-competition on the Building Surveying Services framework.

This decision was delegated to officers under Part 4.4 of the Council’s Constitution: all executive functions except those in Part 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 are delegated to the officers in the senior management structure.

To bring four providers (Max Talent, Inclusive Employers, 10X Managers and CM Talent) on to a 4-year framework. The framework is of zero guaranteed value, but up to a maximum spend of £150K over 4 years.  A mini competition will be requested for each piece of work which is needed within the 4 years.