Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport & Development Strategy

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/160

Contact: James Gagg, Principal Infrastructure Planner Tel: 07776 997303/John Disley, Infrastructure Strategy & Policy Manager Tel: 07767 006742

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA12).

Following discussions with Government and its Members, and in context of the emerging Oxford to Cambridge Arc Governance, England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body for the area which includes Oxfordshire, has produced a new governance framework, including changes to the political oversight process.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)               Confirm that England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body encompassing Oxfordshire, should be considered as a ‘strategic’ outside body as per the definitions set out in Table 1 below;

b)              Endorse the new full EEH governance framework as set out in Annex 1; and

c)               Confirm appointment of the leader of the Council to the new EEH Political Forum, proposed to be called the Strategic Transport Leadership Board.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet had before it a new governance framework for England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body for the area.

The Chair introduced the report.  This regional transport body which includes Oxfordshire had produced a new governance framework that required OCC’s endorsement.  Given the key transport issues in the county, such as East-West Rail and the new Oxford railway station, the Council Leader believed that participation in this group was very important.

The Chair confirmed that the body did not have statutory powers and that the contribution ‘in kind’ referred to was, in reality, officer time for their participation in the process.  She agreed to provide a briefing for Cabinet Members after each meeting of the body.

Cabinet Members made the following points:

·         There was no scale of growth in the area mentioned and it was difficult to plan without an idea of that.  The Council needed to make it clear that there were limits to Oxfordshire’s participation.

·         It was welcome that the body included Swindon which has a lot of issues in common with this County.

·         Our participation might help advance some local proposals such as a railway station at Grove.

The Chair put the recommendations and proposed that Councillor Enright be the substitute as Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy.  This was agreed.

RESOLVED: to

a)            Confirm that England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body encompassing Oxfordshire, should be considered as a ‘strategic’ outside body as per the definitions set out in Table 1 below;

b)           Endorse the new full EEH governance framework as set out in Annex 1; and

c)            Confirm appointment of the leader of the Council to the new EEH Political Forum, proposed to be called the Strategic Transport Leadership Board.