Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Finance

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/242

Contact: Steve Jorden, Corporate Director Commercial Development, Assets and Investment Tel: 07770 867896

Report by Corporate Director - Commercial Development, Assets and Investment (CA15).

The information in this case is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed categories:

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that a negotiation is ongoing and would prejudice the position of the authority in the process of that negotiation and the Council’s standing generally in relation to such matters in future, to the detriment of the Council’s ability properly to discharge its fiduciary and other duties as a public authority.

Appendix 2 containing exempt information under the above paragraph is attached.

To report back on the public engagement exercise and make a recommendation on whether to commence formal negotiations for the lease of Council owned land.

1.            The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)          Authorise Officers to enter into detailed discussions as requested by Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) on the use of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) owned land for the development of a new football stadium, subject to approval of detailed plans and undertakings and to planning permission.

(b)          Instruct Officers to ensure that any In Principle Agreement resulting from discussions with OUFC satisfies the objectives set out in (2a) below.

(c)          Authorise Officers to explore lease surrender discussions with OCC’s current tenants, and where appropriate with sub-tenants, subject to planning permission.

(d)          Instruct Officers to maintain open dialogue with stakeholders with interests in the project, in particular Cherwell District Council (CDC), the relevant Parish Councils, the community sports clubs who make use of Stratfield Brake, the Woodland Trust and neighbouring landowners.

(e)          Instruct officers to provide regular updates on progress to the Cabinet Member for Property and, as appropriate, Cabinet as a whole.

(f)           Require Officers to bring back to Cabinet for further discussion any detailed proposals that are made, and to bring to Cabinet for decision any In Principle Agreement that may be reached in due course.

2.            If Cabinet decide to proceed it is RECOMMENDED that Cabinet requires that:

a)    Officers ensure that any proposal by OUFC is consistent with the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance’s priorities, by achieving the following objectives for the use of the OCC’s land:

                             I.        maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington

                            II.        improve access to nature and green spaces

                          III.        enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support

                          IV.        significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use

                           V.        develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire

                          VI.        increase education and innovation through the provision of a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 42

The recommendations were agreed with amendments to 2 a) I. and 2 a) II. to read as follows:

1.            RESOLVED to

(a)          Authorise Officers to enter into detailed discussions as requested by Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) on the use of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) owned land for the development of a new football stadium, subject to approval of detailed plans and undertakings and to planning permission.

(b)          Instruct Officers to ensure that any In Principle Agreement resulting from discussions with OUFC satisfies the objectives set out in (2a) below.

(c)          Authorise Officers to explore lease surrender discussions with OCC’s current tenants, and where appropriate with sub-tenants, subject to planning permission.

(d)          Instruct Officers to maintain open dialogue with stakeholders with interests in the project, in particular Cherwell District Council (CDC), the relevant Parish Councils, the community sports clubs who make use of Stratfield Brake, the Woodland Trust and neighbouring landowners.

(e)          Instruct officers to provide regular updates on progress to the Cabinet Member for Property and, as appropriate, Cabinet as a whole.

(f)           Require Officers to bring back to Cabinet for further discussion any detailed proposals that are made, and to bring to Cabinet for decision any In Principle Agreement that may be reached in due course.

2.            RESOLVED that:

a)    Officers ensure that any proposal by OUFC is consistent with the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance’s priorities, by achieving the following objectives for the use of the OCC’s land:

                             I.        maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington and protecting and enhancing the surrounding environment including biodiversity, connecting habitats and supporting nature recovery

                            II.        improve public access to high-quality nature and green spaces

                          III.        enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support

                          IV.        significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use

                           V.        develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire

                          VI.        increase education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing

                        VII.        support the County Council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through highly sustainable development

b)    Officers pursue detailed discussions with a view to agreeing terms that achieve community benefit, meet OCC’s aspirations, retain OCC’s reasonable long-term control over the size and scale of OUFC’s proposed scheme, and comply with S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (and any other applicable legal requirements).

c)    Officers continue to explore any opportunities with neighbouring landowners that might enhance the delivery of a community sports hub at Stratfield Brake in line with OUFC’s commitment to replace and enhance the existing sports facilities and to develop sustainable operation models with the community clubs to protect their long-term future, prior to the commencement of any new stadium related development.

d)    Officers to return to Cabinet if further detailed proposals are made by OUFC and, in due course, if an In Principle Agreement  ...  view the full decision text for item 42

Cabinet received a report on the public engagement exercise it agreed at the January Cabinet meeting and considered recommendations on how to proceed.

The Chair had agreed to requests from a number of speakers:

Niall McWilliams, Managing Director, Oxford United FC, stated that this opportunity was not just about football, it was much wider than that.  It was about providing international class community facilities for the Kidlington area and our county; not just for sport but for music, theatre, drama and education.

Oxford United has been at the heart of the Oxfordshire community for over 127 years - it was arguably our most important community asset. Its custodians wanted to see it thrive for centuries to come.  A new stadium under the control of the club and not a third party, will allow this to happen.

The current licence agreement expires in 2026.  There was no possibility to purchase the current stadium nor extend the licence agreement post 2026.  The club had explored other land options but no other viable alternative sites were available to them.

Niall McWilliams addressed some of the concerns:

·         A Green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington will not only be maintained but enhanced

·         The stadium can be built to net zero carbon principles, with excellent public transport links

·         The club will endeavour to work with all local stakeholders to ensure a sympathetic design

He hoped members would decide to take this important step forward to enable the club to protect the livelihoods of all of those associated with Oxford United - an institution that belonged to the people of Oxfordshire.

Paul Peros, Chairman of the independent supporters’ trust OxVox, stated that the club now had owners with the vision, resources and experience to develop, not only a home for the club, but a hub for the whole county.   The club planned to provide up to 15% positive net carbon gain by partnering with progressive local companies to pioneer the latest green technologies.

He noted that 80% of those who took part in the survey supported leasing the land to Oxford United and OxVox had provided a petition of support signed by well over 5,000 locals. Every local sports club connected to Stratfield Brake actively supports this project and their members alone number in the thousands.

Paul Peros added that the local community deserved the chance to see detailed plans of a project that would provide infrastructure, jobs and vitality to the area. A community hub that would not only free up brownfield space elsewhere in the county for much needed housing, but form part of a strengthened green belt around Kidlington. The club must be allowed to commit its vision and promises to public scrutiny so that informed decisions can be made.

David Hipkiss, Chair of Gosford All Blacks RFC, outlined their support in principle for the relocation of Oxford United to Stratfield Brake.  This was based on the core assumption that they will see the replacement and significant enhancement of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42