Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/046

Contact: Claire Taylor, Corporate Director Customers, Organisational Development & Resources, claire.taylor@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Customers, Organisational Development & Resources (CA7).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)                  Agree the engagement and communications strategy set out at annex 1.

b)                  Agree the memorandum of understanding (MoU) as set out at annex 2 and delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Customers and Organisational Development to sign on behalf of the Council. Whilst not anticipated, any non-material changes to be agreed in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance and Property.

c)                  Note the timetable set out at annex 3.

Cabinet was asked to consider an engagement and communications strategy in relation to the proposal from Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) to use a parcel of Council land known as ‘Land to East of Frieze Way / South of Kidlington Roundabout or the triangle’ for the development of a new stadium.

Before discussing the report, the Chair had agreed to the following requests to speak.

Suzanne McIvor, representing Friends of Stratfield Brake, stated that the Council’s online engagement exercise had been dominated by supporters of Oxford United and asked that the Council hold a secure public consultation for local residents within something like one and a half miles radius of the Triangle to determine if the local community supports the fundamental principle of a stadium on the Triangle Green Belt site before any further negotiation for the site's disposal.

Councillor Ian Middleton, Kidlington South, stated that the majority of local residents that he had spoken to were dissatisfied with the Council’s handling of this issue.  There needed to be proper local engagement and he welcomed the suggestion that there will be a way to verify the location of respondents in the proposed further engagement.  He expressed his view that some Cabinet Members had shown predetermination on this issue.

Anita Bradley, Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer, stated that she was not aware of any predetermination in relation to this issue and that any councillor who believed that they had evidence of predetermination should bring it to her attention.

Councillor Andrew Gant proposed an amendment to Annex 1: on Agenda Page 26, under the heading “Audiences”, second bullet point, replace “and local MPs” with “local MPs and Neighbourhood Forums”.  This amendment was agreed.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, summarised the engagement and communication strategy aspects of the report which will be undertaken in two phases, both meeting with stakeholder groups and inviting wider feedback.  This will take place over a six week period following receipt of the club’s proposals.

Councillor Calum Miller, Cabinet Member for Finance, emphasised that Cabinet had made no decisions on the proposal from Oxford United.  In the first engagement process, the Council clearly identified the concerns of those in local postcodes and it was a result of this that Cabinet decided not to take a decision but start a process to gather more information before making a decision.  Local Parish Councils, Neighbourhood Forums and other representative bodies would be very welcome to take part in the engagement process.

Councillor Gant gave an assurance that Officers and Councillors will take great care to differentiate between the views of those living locally and those further away.

The recommendations as amended were proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Gant and agreed.

RESOLVED to:

a)          Agree the engagement and communications strategy set out at annex 1 as amended.

b)          Agree the memorandum of understanding (MoU) as set out at annex 2 and delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Customers and Organisational Development to sign on behalf of the Council. Whilst not anticipated, any non-material changes to be agreed in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance and Property.

c)          Note the timetable set out at annex 3.