Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/022

Contact: Ian Dyson, Director of Finance Services (Ian.Dyson@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Commercial Strategy

.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a proposed Commercial Strategy which set out the Council’s commercial ambition and pathway to embedding commercial thinking as part of its culture and governance.

The strategy set out the vision to leverage Oxfordshire’s unique assets and strengths to optimise organisational efficiency, generate sustainable revenue, support the development of a more inclusive local economy and enhance public services through innovative and responsible commercial activities.

To support the delivery of the Commercial Strategy through 2024/25 a Commercial Transformation Programme had been established. A discovery phase was currently underway to look at the current maturity level of the Council’s commercial thinking, information, skills and processes, from which an implementation plan can be designed and programme to deliver new commercial ways of working. 

The Chair presented the report.

During discussion, members made the following points:

·       There was a need to protect the discretionary services that the Council provided, in view of the considerable reductions central government funding of local government

·       While members welcomed the opportunities for income generation to support the Council’s budget, the introduction of the Commercial Strategy also provided an opportunity to review its ways of working and develop efficient system and processes

The Chair moved and Councillor Sudbury seconded the recommendation, and it was approved.

RESOLVED to approve the Commercial Strategy as set out in the report.