The appointment of KPMG will ensure the Council receives suitable tax advice with regard to the work to progress the development of the land it owns within the SOSV site.

Decision to appoint KPMG to provide tax advice to inform work on the South Oxford Science Village project. A fee of £17,000 has been submitted for the provision of advice to support the Council.

Given the complexity of the SOSV site and the importance of having suitable advice the internal team recommended external advice was sought.

The other options considered were whether there was the opportunity to use internal advice or to proceed without tax advice at the current time.

These options were rejected firstly because of the lack of capacity internally and complexity of the proposals and secondly to proceed without advice could result in additional costs being incurred.

Carolyn Ploszynski Head of Regeneration and Economy in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery.