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Strategic Vision agreed by all of Oxfordshire’s authorities

A strategic vision for the county has been agreed by all Oxfordshire’s local authorities.

Oxfordshire’s Strategic Vision for Long-Term Sustainable Development sets out what future growth in Oxfordshire should look like based on improving social, environmental and economic wellbeing for all.

It prioritises tackling climate change and reflects local people’s opinions and priorities as given through a range of engagement exercises.

The Vision provides a number of shared ambitions that reflect the priorities of the county, underpinned by a definition of ‘good growth’ and a set of Guiding Principles.

Among the ambitions are making Oxfordshire not just carbon neutral by 2040 but moving towards carbon negative, being the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than that in which we found it, and improving the overall wellbeing of the population.

Under the Vision, Oxfordshire’s globally competitive economy will be sustainable, diverse and inclusive – creating a more equal county; there will be flourishing, diverse and vibrant communities; and there will be greater connectivity – both digitally and between places with a focus on sustainable and active travel.

Now the strategic vision has been agreed, it will not replace or set the specific vision for any individual communities or partner organisations but instead will act as a framework for future plans and strategies for Oxfordshire, such as the Oxfordshire Plan 2050.

You can download the full version of Oxfordshire’s Strategic Vision for Long-Term Sustainable Development here (pdf).

Growth Deal cash boost means more affordable homes delivered by partnership

Even more affordable homes will be provided in West Oxfordshire thanks to a funding boost from the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

Last summer, West Oxfordshire District Council agreed with Heylo Housing that up to 34 shared ownership properties would be rolled out across the District using Section 106 receipts together with Government-backed Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal grant funds.

Now that figure has risen to 43 homes after the Growth Deal funding was extended from £850,000 to £1.44m.

With £361,875 coming from the Council’s Section 106 receipts generated by developers contributing to infrastructure and amenities, the total funding made available for the project is now more than £1.8m.

These homes will be in the shared ownership format and will be provided using Heylo’s model of working with developers to acquire discounted homes. The homes are to be provided on Crest Nicholson and Vistry developments in Witney and Minster Lovell.

Applicants agree to buy an initial share of a house. Rent is then paid on the remainder. More shares can be bought in the property until it is owned by the resident outright.

As the homeowner increases their level of ownership of the property, the funding is recycled to be made available for further investment in affordable housing.

Murry Burnett, Strategic Housing and Development Officer at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This extra funding means we can provide more affordable homes for residents through this innovative scheme.

“The provision of affordable homes is a key priority for the Council and we will continue to work with providers such as Heylo Housing to increase the availability of affordable housing in the District.”

Wayne Bennett, National Home Reach Director at Heylo Homes, added: “We believe this partnership is key to enabling local buyers to get onto the property ladder, with smaller deposits and household income requirements makes purchasing a property much more affordable.

“With a range of homes available at Witney and Minster Lovell, residents who may previously have been unable to buy the home they needed now have the opportunity to do so.”

Government responds to flood defence letter

The Government has responded to the Oxfordshire Growth Board’s letter calling for long-term flood defence investment.

Councillor Emily Smith, Chair of the Growth Board, wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), last month offering the Board’s support for key conclusions made in the recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report on flooding.

In the letter, Cllr Smith called for a national standard for flood resilience.

She also highlighted the need for action to ensure that water services utility companies, in Oxfordshire’s case Thames Water, can be held to greater account at a local level, especially with their regular failure to clear up sewage.

While this is unfortunately a year-round issue in Oxfordshire, it is of particularly concern during periods of flooding.

In her response, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA Rebecca Pow explained funding for flood risk management was part of the overall local government settlement.

She added 2020-21 saw the biggest year-on-year increase in the overall settlement for over 10 years, an average 4.4% real terms increase.

The Minister set out the Government’s commitment to review local government funding for statutory flood and coastal erosion risk management functions, including the way in which it is allocated, to ensure it is fair and matches the needs and resources of local areas, recognising that some places face different risks.

She also explained the work of the Storm Overflows Taskforce, made up of Defra, the EA, Ofwat, the Consumer Council for Water, Blueprint for Water and Water UK, which in January agreed to set a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows.

The Taskforce is considering a range of factors as part of this work, including drainage issues such as sustainable drainage systems, their role in reducing/slowing water entering the sewerage system, and section 106 (right to connect to public sewers) of the Water Industry Act 1991. The Taskforce will be reporting to Government in summer this year.

You can read the full letter here.