Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Growth & Infrastructure

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/086

Contact: Ian Walker, Spatial Planning Manager Tel: (01865) 815588

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (CA 11).

In March this year the Cabinet considered a report on the work with the Homes and Communities Agency to develop a Local Investment Plan (LIP) and Local Investment Agreement (LIA) for Oxfordshire. The LIP was signed off by the Oxfordshire local authorities at the end of March and submitted to the Homes & Communities Agency.

The LIA has been prepared to commit the parties (the HCA and local authorities) to implementing the LIP. The aim is for the LIA to be signed off by the Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Partnership (SPIP) at the end of June, following consideration by meetings of the Cabinet/Executive of the six Oxfordshire local authorities.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)                     agree that the County Council enters into the proposed Oxfordshire Local Investment Agreement (LIA); and

(b)                    delegate authority to finalise the wording of the LIA to the Head of Sustainable Development, to be exercised after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure.

Councillor Patrick, as the local Member for Grove & Wantage spoke in support of the report. In the past Grove had been allowed to grow without the provision of proper additional infrastructure such as schools. The planned figures for Grove should not be taken forward unless the secondary school was delivered. The Cabinet member for Growth & Infrastructure replied that it was his understanding that under new arrangements housing numbers would be determined by the District Councils.

Councillor Godden, as the local Member for North Hinksey & Wytham

supported schemes relating to her Division.

The Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure thanked officers for producing a good and useful document that would continue to develop and to be reviewed. It was clear that there was no additional funding from Government for the infrastructure needs identified and the document would provide a useful framework for negotiation across the county to determine priorities.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)                     agree that the County Council enters into the proposed Oxfordshire Local Investment Agreement (LIA); and

(b)                     delegate authority to finalise the wording of the LIA to the Head of Sustainable Development, to be exercised after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure.