Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the acting deputy chief executive – partnerships. 

Cabinet considered the report of the acting deputy chief executive – partnerships.  This set out a strategic vision for Oxfordshire. 

Cabinet recalled that in December 2020 it had received a report detailing the Oxfordshire Growth Board’s ambition to develop a strategic vision for Oxfordshire.  This provided an overarching framework for the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 but also served as an ‘umbrella’ under which both the Growth Board and its partners could develop the future plans and strategies. 

The results of the consultation on the draft strategic vision had been supportive.  As a result, the vision had been developed further.  It now highlighted the importance of the need to address inequalities, and the role of Oxfordshire and its place as a national and international centre of excellence.  Issues such as the need for inclusive growth had also been strengthened, and changes had been made to make the document more Oxfordshire specific, such as references to the rural landscape, the countryside, and the importance of the rural economy.  The Growth Board had also commissioned consultants to offer sustainability advice on whether the vision was consistent, both within the document and when compared to the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, and whether there were any gaps in the sustainability issues identified.  This commission had been completed and changes had been made to the final version of the strategic vision now before Cabinet. 

Cabinet supported the proposed vision but believed that a short summary version was needed for better publicity.  Cabinet was pleased that the vision had been improved in terms of equality, nature recovery, and climate change.  Cabinet queried how the council would be able to influence the setting of measurements for the vision.  However, generally, Cabinet considered the vision to be a good compromise. 

Some concern was expressed that in the vision, good economic growth should focus on productivity growth of Gross Value Added per head of population, rather than on high population growth or mere overall Gross Value Added.  It was noted that such detailed changes could be suggested at a later stage. 

Cabinet also queried whether any progress had been made on revising the name of the Growth Board.  It was noted that this might be re-visited after the County Council elections in May. 

RESOLVED: to

(a)      agree the Strategic Vision for Oxfordshire; and

(b)      ask that officers consider how to embed the Vision’s ambitions for Oxfordshire in future plans and strategies of the council.