Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Economy and Place

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/089

Non-key decision

Contact: Katie Parnell, Planning Policy Innovation Team Leader (Katie.Parnell@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Economy and Place

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Note that Innovate Oxfordshire’s business model includes the

provision of time-limited, innovation-related services externally for payment.

b)    Delegate authority to the Director of Economy and Place to agree to the provision of services to third parties by Innovate Oxfordshire, within the Director’s financial delegations, on the basis set out in paragraph 10, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and s151 Officer (Deputy Chief Executive) and the Director or Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer.

c)    Note that external activity will be approved on a case-by-case basis and priced primarily on a full cost recovery basis (including overheads), on the basis set out in paragraph 17.

d)    Note that the Council may invoice for current external work

undertaken by Innovate Oxfordshire on a full cost recovery basis.

The Cabinet  Member considered the report which indicated that Innovate Oxfordshire was the Council’s self-funding innovation service, providing time-limited innovation-related support aligned to council priorities. Innovate Oxfordshire did not currently have the specific approval and delegated authority under financial regulations and delegation was therefore sought in this regard. The report therefore, sought the Cabinet Member’s approval for Innovate Oxfordshire to provide such services externally for payment and, where lawful and appropriate, to trade with third parties, supported by appropriate officer delegation.

Resolved to:

a)    Note that Innovate Oxfordshire’s business model includes the

provision of time-limited, innovation-related services externally for payment.

b)    Delegate authority to the Director of Economy and Place to agree to 

the provision of services to third parties by Innovate Oxfordshire, within the Director’s financial delegations, on the basis set out in paragraph 10, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and s151 Officer (Deputy Chief Executive) and the Director or Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer.

c)    Note that external activity will be approved on a case-by-case basis

and priced primarily on a full cost recovery basis (including overheads), on the basis set out in paragraph 17.

d)    Note that the Council may invoice for current external work

undertaken by Innovate Oxfordshire on a full cost recovery basis.