The Executive Director for Sustainable City submitted a report which requested approval to increase Oxford City Council’s project contribution towards Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme by up to £1,000,000 funded from in-kind contributions in terms of land disposal and compensation values foregone.

Cllr Price, Board Member for Corporate Strategy and Economic Development presented the report. He explained that the proposed in-kind land contribution to the Environment Agency would bring the scheme closer to completion. The land doesn’t have a huge value for other purposes, it is mostly grazing land and there are small parts of the Redbridge and (extension of the) Seacourt Park n Rides included in the land contribution.  He said the scheme would reduce the flood risk to 1,500 properties.

Cllr Smith asked if there was a guarantee from the Environment Agency that the scheme would enhance the wildlife of the area. The Executive Director for Sustainable City said whilst the design would improve the wildlife of the area, the design no longer includes a cycling or public walkway as surrounding landowners had expressed concerns about allowing public access.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Approve the increase of Oxford City Council’s project contribution towards Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme by up to £1,000,000 funded from in-kind contributions from land disposal and compensation foregone; and

2.    Delegate authority to Executive Director for Sustainable City, in consultation with the Heads of Financial Services and Law and Governance, to be able to enter a funding agreement with Environment Agency.

3.    Note that a detailed report on proposed disposals to facilitate the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and discounts proposed will be made to the City Executive Board in due course.

The Executive Director Community Services submitted a report which sought authority to enter into an agreement with the Environment Agency in regard to funding the Oxford and Abingdon Flood Alleviation Scheme, and to seek project approval for the scheme.

The Executive Board Member, Corporate Strategy and Economic Development presented the report.  He confirmed that there was already budget provision; that the scheme was due to start in 2018, subject to further evaluation by the Treasury and DEFRA; and that it was hoped that the preferred route would be identified by June 2016 and that this would then be subject to public consultation.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.           Authorise the Council’s entry into the proposed agreement with the Environment Agency, as described in this report, under which the Council would play an active role in the establishment of the business case of the Oxford and Abingdon flood alleviation scheme, and provide funding to a capped sum.

2.                 Grant project approval for the Council’s involvement in the Oxford and Abingdon flood alleviation scheme, as described in this report.

Council considered a report outlining the proposed Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (“the Scheme”) and seeking approval for the delegation to the Oxfordshire County Council of any planning responsibilities that would otherwise be exercised by the Oxford City Council in relation to the Scheme.

Council resolved to:

1.    delegate the discharge of the District Planning Authority functions of the Oxford City Council to the Oxfordshire County Council, in connection with the processing and determination of the expected planning application for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, under section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972;

2.    authorise the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Head of Law of Governance, to negotiate and agree a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oxfordshire County Council to determine the operational arrangements of the delegation of the Oxford City Council’s planning functions in relation to the Scheme;

3.    agree that a long stop date be placed on the delegation such that the delegation will be revoked if any Scheme application is not determined by the 18th February 2019.