Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/123

Contact: Anita Bradley, Director of Law & Governance, anita.bradley@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Law & Governance (CA11).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

Approve the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s revised terms of reference and memorandum of understanding.

These will take effect following approval by each of the six Oxfordshire councils.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report proposing amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Future Oxfordshire Partnership  following changes to the programmes within the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and emphasised that, while the current changes to the terms of reference were appropriate, it was likely that further revisions would be necessary in due course.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Delivery, said that while he recognised that the current revision of the terms of reference for the Partnership were technical, he proposed that there needed to be an appointed representative for climate, ecology and the Natural World, planetary boundaries and the circular economy.  The Future Oxfordshire Partnership needed to consider climate change solutions, resilience to anticipated climate impacts and embracing the development of a circular economy and appropriate representation would assist with this work.  He suggested that the further revisions to the terms of reference should include such representation.

The Chair acknowledged that the FOP should be more proactive on the issued raised but said that the need for long term sustainable development was included within the objectives of the Partnership.

Councillor Leffman moved and Councillor Brighouse seconded the recommendations and they were approved

RESOLVED to approve the Future Oxfordshire Partnership’s revised terms of reference and memorandum of understanding.  These will take effect following approval by each of the six Oxfordshire councils.