Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/100

Contact: Tom Flanagan, Service Manager – Planning & Transport Policy Tel: (01865) 815691

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & economy – Strategy & Infrastructure Planning (CA7).

To seek agreement to the terms of a formal agreement on local contributions for East-West Rail over a 15-year period from 2014, ahead of Oxfordshire County Council entering into the agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council and the Department for Transport by October 2013.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve:

(a)               the principle of the agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council, with approval of the final agreement being delegated to the Deputy Leader in consultation the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Finance Officer;

(b)               the local contribution for Oxfordshire County of £11.06m and proposed payment profile as detailed in Annex 2.

Cabinet had before them a report (CA7) which sought agreement to the terms of a formal agreement on local contributions for East-West Rail over a 15-year period from 2014, ahead of Oxfordshire County Council entering into the agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council and the Department for Transport by October 2013.

Councillor Christie spoke in support of the recommendations. However, he expressed concern over committing to this level of investment when the Council were faced with another £60m worth of cuts. He sought assurance from the Deputy Leader, that should the situation outlined in paragraph 14 of the report change in relation to the Council’s preferred approach to the funds committed, the issue would be bought back to Cabinet for discussion.

Councillor Rose responded that the investment was very important for Oxfordshire, in particular the new link to Heathrow Airport.  He stressed that the investment was over 15 years and was capital Payments not revenue and that proposed cuts such as Children’s Centres could not be supported with Capital monies.

In relation to paragraph 14 of the report, the Deputy leader indicated that East West Rail would have to cover the contribution from the City Council if they pulled out of the investment.

During discussion Cabinet stressed the importance of the City Council committing to their investment in the project.

RESOLVED: to approve

(a)               the principle of the agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council, with approval of the final agreement being delegated to the Deputy Leader in consultation the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Finance Officer;

(b)               the local contribution for Oxfordshire County of £11.06m and proposed payment profile as detailed in Annex 2.