Reuse by local charities, schools and non-profit organisations will ensure ongoing public benefit from Broad Meadow. Expressions of interest have been assessed against several criteria (minimising waste, retaining as much accessibility as possible, capacity to receive, secure and maintain items) and third party organisations have committed to a code of conduct and a disclaimer - all to maximise the social and environmental impact of the scheme and achieve value for money for the Council.

To donate elements of “Broad Meadow” to six local charities and organisations at the end of the temporary Broad Street scheme, which is anticipated to be 11^th October 2021. (More information and public consultation on Broad Meadow at https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/regeneration-economy/broad-street-summer-2021.) An appropriate process has been undertaken to ensure all the organisations are legitimate charities and community organisations and to ensure that they will use the donated infrastructure appropriately for ongoing public benefit.

The items which are being donated are: moveable furniture, planters, plants, wooden planks, trees lawn turf and wildflower turf. Items which are being retained by the Council are: tree planters and soil, 8 small planters, 2 large planters for use as vehicle protection.

The organisations which are receiving infrastructure are: Oxford Urban Wildlife Group, St Ebbe’s Primary School, Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground, Cowley Children’s Allotment, Marston Community Gardening, St Mary Magdalen Church.

The cumulative value of donated assets is estimated to be £6,500.

The Head of Financial Services (Section 151 Officer) has confirmed that the disposal process is appropriate.

Each of the six organisations have different strengths and they all have demonstrated a commitment to delivering ongoing public benefit from Broad Meadow. This decision avoids waste and avoids the Council incurring additional costs associated with disposal or storage or recycling of infrastructure. It also enables the impact of the temporary scheme to be noticeable for longer, across multiple locations within the city.

Selling as many assets as possible – this was rejected due to limited value of items after they have been dismantled and the lack of an established market or process for selling public realm assets.

Removal to recycling and landfill – this was rejected as it would be extremely wasteful and not the best use of public assets.

Storage by the Council for future use on Broad Street or other city centre streets – this was rejected due to the site-specific and inherently-temporary nature of the design and build of the infrastructure.

Consulting all local charities was not an option because of the resource implications in managing the process. Inviting offers of interest was considered proportionate in the circumstances.

Carolyn Ploszynski,Head of Regeneration & Economy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford.