The Assistant Chief Executive has submitted a report to propose  revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding for the Oxfordshire Growth Board, which requires approval by each of the Oxfordshire Council Cabinets / Executives. These are presented for consideration following a recent public review of the Growth Board’s role and functions, which has helped to inform the revisions made.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding at Appendices 1 and 2 respectively; and

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents as required to support the operational efficiency of the Growth Board’s work.

The Assistant Chief Executive had submitted a report to propose  revised Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding for the Oxfordshire Growth Board, which required approval by each of the Oxfordshire Council Cabinets / Executives. These were presented for consideration following a recent public review of the Growth Board’s role and functions, which had helped to inform the revisions made.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of the Council, introduced the report which was being taken to all of the Oxfordshire’s District Councils and the County Council, proposing relatively minor changes to the Terms of Reference (TOR) and Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the Oxfordshire Growth Board. There had been discussion over the last year about more fundamental issues in relation to the Growth Board, such as how to ensure that the shared interest in dealing with the challenge of climate change was properly addressed.

Caroline Green, Assistant Chief Executive reiterated that this report represented just the first phase of a review of the Growth Board. The revised TOR now included a paragraph on the purpose of the Growth Board which fed into recognition of the need for there to be an improvement of communication with Members, stakeholders and the public.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Approve the Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding at Appendices 1 and 2 respectively; and

2.       Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Growth Board, to make minor amendments to these documents as required to support the operational efficiency of the Growth Board’s work.