The Cabinet will, at its meeting on 19 October 2022, consider a report on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan.  Cllr Imogen Thomas, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, and Matthew Peachey, Economic Development Manager, have been invited to present the report and to answer questions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and to agree any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet.

Cllr Imogen Thomas, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval for endorsement of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan, allocation of budget, and delegated authority to enter contract with Government for delivery of the plan on behalf of Oxford City Council. 

Cllr Thomas advised that the paper was in conjunction with Cllr Susan Brown, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Partnerships, however as the majority of funding was allocated against projects in the City Centre, fell into her remit of City Centre Action Plan delivery.

Matthew Peachey, Economic Development Manager advised the Committee that the funding was relatively new, intended to replace European Union Structural Investment Funds, which were historically larger and therefore less funding was available.

During discussions, the Committee noted the following:

·       The SPF Programme Board would report to Government every six months which would include a risk register report.  The SPF Board would meet every three months and work closely with other Council teams where appropriate, and whilst ensuring governance and accountability, would aim to strike the correct balance of the additional work.  However it was recognised that the importance of the objectives for the funding, and therefore periodic reports would be submitted either to Scrutiny or to the relevant Cabinet Member.

·       The City Centre Action Plan highlighted the importance of access and navigation of the City with the use of websites and apps to ensure the City remained a Tourist City.

·       Additional, specific information detailing allocation of funding, highlighting the more deprived areas of the City, would be beneficial to the Plan.

·       The programme ensured officer resource to work directly with communities, sourcing funding and stimulating additional work required within those sectors. 

·       Areas such as East Oxford and Temple Cowley, whilst not particularly highlighted within the Plan are included in the ‘least developed areas requiring representation’, and the Committee felt these communities would benefit from collaborative working relationships with Ward Members to ensure targeted support for minority groups.

·       The Market Street vision was part of the Broad Street renovations and would be developed within the City Centre Action Plan.

·       Greater clarity and information of strategic partnerships would be recommended for the Action Plan.

·       The City Centre Action Plan was widely consulted on with a very strong response, and overwhelming support was received for the Broad Street consultation.

·       The Committee would welcome specific mention of communities in the most deprived areas and wished specific wording to be included in the Action Plan.

The Committee resolved to make the following recommendations to Cabinet:

1.    That the Council should explore and report on opportunities to cooperate even further with partner institutions in the delivery of the Investment Plan.

2.    That the Council should explore and report upon ways in which the funding can be focussed on all those areas of the City which are amongst the most deprived according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

3.    That the Council should arrange for periodic reports to be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.