Approval for expenditure of CIL Neighbourhood portion on scheme for Queen Street Public Realm

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services submitted a report to agree the expenditure of £500,000 to Oxfordshire County Council towards the costs of the pedestrianisation of Queen Street and to delegate to the Executive Director of Regeneration & Housing authority to enter into an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council for this sum.

The Planning Policy & Specialist Services Manager presented the report. He explained that the City’s contribution would be up to £500,000 He said that since writing the report Oxfordshire County Council have analysed the results on their consultation on the measures needed to pedestrianise Queen Street.  The County Council may choose to temporarily pedestrianise Queen street while other matters were resolved. He was of the view that if the County Council choose this option that the City Council should not contribute to the scheme.

Cllr Tanner said he agreed with the City Council contributing to the scheme on condition that complete pedestrianisation of Queen St goes ahead. 

He asked that recommendation 2 be amended to read  “Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration & Housing in  consultation with the Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services.”

The City Executive Board resolves to:

1.     Agree to the expenditure of £500,000 of the CIL Neighbourhood Portion to be paid to Oxfordshire County Council towards the Queen Street pedestrianisation scheme

2.     Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration & Housing in consultation with the Board Member for Planning and Regulatory Services the power to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council to provide for:

              I.        The approval of the scope and specification of works and detailed designs having regard to the views of the then members of the West Area Planning Committee and the Oxford Design Review Panel (and to agree amendments and a programme for implementation),

            II.        Independent audit of the costs and valuation of works.

           III.        Payment of up to £500,000 to Oxfordshire County Council in respect of the execution of the works

          IV.        Payment terms and conditions

           V.        Incidental provisions including timing of works and the prior approval of publicity material including site boards and press releases and statements

Confirmed that the contributions may only be used towards the permanent scheme, not used for any of the temporary solution.