The report provides and update on progress on the City deal bid to Government, the commitments asked of the City council, the proposed governance arrangements, and the timetable for presentation to the ad-hoc Ministerial Group.

The Board is recommended to:-

(1)  Note this report;

(2)  Formally support the overarching focus of the City Deal Bid;

(3)  Agree in principle to the commitments being asked of Oxford City Council;

(4)  Note the governance arrangements in principle, and to receive future reports which will provide the detail of what the Joint Statutory Committee will be carrying out and what delegations will need to be made to it;

(5)   Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to lead on negotiations with partners and Government

The Executive Director, City Regeneration and Housing, submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the progress of the City Deal bid to Government.

Councillor Bob Price, Board Member for Corporate Governance and Strategic Partnerships, presented the report to the Committee, and provided some background and context. David Edwards added that presentation to the Ad Hoc Ministerial Group was provisionally booked for the end of October (still to be confirmed). There was strong Government interest in helping with the Oxpens development.

Councillor Jean Fooks addressed the Board and welcomed the City Deal bid.

Councillor Price referred to the recommendations from Scrutiny. He clarified that the Joint Statutory Committee would handle the decision making process, and that only local authorities would have voting rights on it. Scrutiny of the process should be handled by local authorities.

Resolved to:-

(1)  Note this report;

(2)  Formally support the overarching focus of the City Deal Bid;

(3)  Agree in principle to the commitments being asked of Oxford City Council;

(4)  Note the governance arrangements in principle, and to receive future reports which will provide the detail of what the Joint Statutory Committee will be carrying out and what delegations will need to be made to it;

(5)   Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to lead on negotiations with partners and Government