The Executive Director Customer and Communities has submitted a report to seek the release of £800k for consultancy support for the delivery of the East Oxford Community Centre including any associated social housing.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the release of £800k of the East Oxford Community Centre Capital budget for detailed design and feasibility work, technical specification, planning and oversight of the build of the East Oxford Community Centre including social housing, to occupation; and

2.    Delegate to the Interim Director Communities, acting in conjunction with the Heads of Law & Governance and Finance, and in conjunction with the Portfolio Holders for Supporting Local Communities and Finance & Asset Management, the authority to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and to take any required steps to secure the development of the East Oxford Community Centre and associated housing.

The Interim Executive Director Customer and Communities had submitted a report to seek the release of £800k for consultancy support for the delivery of the East Oxford Community Centre including any associated social housing.

The Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities, Councillor Tidball introduced and moved the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management noted there should be no expansion in the already allocated funding and agreed timetable for the project.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.  Approve the release of £800k of the East Oxford Community Centre Capital budget for detailed design and feasibility work, technical specification, planning and oversight of the build of the East Oxford Community Centre including social housing, to occupation; and

2.  Delegate to the Executive Director Customer and Communities, acting in conjunction with the Heads of Law & Governance and Financial Services, and in conjunction with the Portfolio Holders for Supporting Local Communities and Finance & Asset Management, the authority to enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and to take any required steps to secure the development of the East Oxford Community Centre and associated housing.