Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment and Economy  

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/157 

Non-Key Decision: 

Contact: Nick Glover, Head of Future Economy and Innovation (Nicholas.Glover@oxfordshire.gov.uk)  

Report by Director of Economy and Place (SC6). 

To seek approval for strengthening Enterprise Oxfordshire’s governance and membership through new sub-committees and expanded partnership representation.

The Shareholder Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

a)     APPROVE the establishment of an Enterprise Zone (EZ) Advisory Board (and its scope and purpose) as a formal sub-committee of the Enterprise Oxfordshire Board.

b)     AGREE to establish a county-wide Skills Board (and its scope and purpose) as a formal sub-committee of the Enterprise Oxfordshire Board.

c)     AGREE in principle the extension of company membership of Enterprise Oxfordshire to local public sector partners.

d)     AGREE to receive further proposals on governance and the composition of the EZ Advisory Board, Skills Board, and Enterprise Oxfordshire Board to include members from across the county’s public, private and higher education sectors.

e)     INSTRUCT officers to develop detailed governance proposals, including recommendations for the establishment of further sub-committees as appropriate.

The Deputy Chair, Councillor Laura Gordon (Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy), introduced the report.

During discussion, it was noted that this report set out provisional governance arrangements to deal with concerns raised about the Enterprise Zones and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, given impending local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire. It was stated that the approach was deliberately vague to allow for a consultative approach with partners to ensure these arrangements worked for all involved.

Members noted that the introduction of a Skills Board would be extremely welcome to allow for Oxfordshire’s economy to be as inclusive as possible.

Officers requested for a slight amendment to change the word ‘Instruct’ to ‘Request’ within recommendation e). Members noted the change and agreed to it.

Councillor Gordon moved and Councillor Fawcett seconded the amended recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

a) APPROVE the establishment of an Enterprise Zone (EZ) Advisory Board (and its scope and purpose) as a formal sub-committee of the Enterprise Oxfordshire Board.

b) AGREE to establish a county-wide Skills Board (and its scope and purpose) as a formal sub-committee of the Enterprise Oxfordshire Board.

c) AGREE in principle the extension of company membership of Enterprise Oxfordshire to local public sector partners.

d) AGREE to receive further proposals on governance and the composition of the EZ Advisory Board, Skills Board, and Enterprise Oxfordshire Board to include members from across the county’s public, private and higher education sectors.

e) REQUEST officers to develop detailed governance proposals, including recommendations for the establishment of further sub-committees as appropriate.