The decision enables work to progress on the design, programme and cost for the delivery of the Oxpens River Bridge. The PCSA covers work necessary in advance of entering into a delivery contract.

To amend the collaboration agreement with Oxfordshire County Council to: enable the County Council to provide additional funds of £2.8million (minus funding retained for County Council costs); change the completion date; vary the allocation of design funding within the budget; and allocate more of the design funding to staff costs as set out in the Cabinet report.

Construction costs have increased rapidly.  The programme for the development has been progressed, and this has led to the need for the funding and amendments to the existing funding agreement.

The option of not accepting the funding was considered but rejected as it would have prevented the delivery of the walking and cycling link across the river.

Decision taken by Tom Bridgman, Executive Director (Development) in consultation with Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services; Marcia Ecclestone, Deputy Monitoring Officer; Carolyn Ploszynski, Head of Regeneration and Economy; and Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery.