The document outlines the role and priorities of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), emphasizing their goal of fostering sustainable and high-value job growth through collaboration and planning. Key initiatives include supporting inward investment, promoting excellence clusters, and addressing skills mismatches while leveraging planning opportunities and infrastructure investments. The LEP aims to drive strategic planning and economic growth in the Oxfordshire area, with a focus on coherence and synergism among existing partnerships.

1. LEPs – Coordinators for Local GrowthDr Martin Dare-EdwardsChairman of Oxon-LEP

2. Outline Oxfordshire LEP Introduction Oxfordshire LEP Priorities Indications for role of LEPs vis-à-vis Planning Specific Opportunities – LEPs and Planning Final RemarksLEPs – Coordinators for Local Growth

3. Oxfordshire LEPSeizing our opportunity for Local Leadership in the Pursuit of “Outstanding” Growth in Oxfordshire“Touchstone” for all our activities:Increasing the number of Sustainable,High-Value-Adding jobs in our areaCoordination for Coherence and Synergism:Prioritising our efforts to where we can add value(Row / Steer / Cheer approach)Will not impose on existing successful partnerships, but will strongly promote “unifications” or explicit collaborationsAct as forum for issues that need assistance to resolveForeseen role to drive/facilitate planning decisions that are consistent with our Touchstone and our Priorities

4. Oxfordshire LEP - PrioritiesPriority Work Themes:Supporting Inward InvestmentIdentifying and Promoting “Clusters of Excellence” Supporting Existing Businesses to Innovate and GrowSpecialised Supply Chains in High Growth SectorsSecuring Investment for Enabling infrastructure ProjectsNext Generation Broadband AccessTransport-Connectivity for Growth Hot Spots & “East-West”Addressing Skills MismatchesRaising aspirations and tailoring provision to business needSpatial Priorities Science Vale UK - National & International excellence for Science & InnovationBicester – Drive to establish coherent Housing and Employment-based Development, inclusive of the Eco-exemplarOxford – Continue to support our inward investment as world-class centre of education, research and innovation

5. Indications for role of LEPsvis-à-vis PlanningDCLG Comments:“Intention for Localism Bill to have regard to role of LEPs for planning…across local authority boundaries……keen to work with front-runners… Harnessing the powerful voice of business in planning decisions, facilitated by infrastructure development…leading production of strategic plans.”"Consistent with localism, we will not be prescribing planning roles for LEPs - it is for them to decide what roles they want to take on and on what basis they do this reflecting their needs, skills and ambitions."

6. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and PlanningEnterprise Zones (11 announced, EOI’s invited for 10 more)Business Rate Discount: £55k pa for 5 years Business Rates Growth retained for 25 yearsRadically Simplified Planning via LDO PowersSupport for Superfast BroadbandOthers: Capital allowances, Tax Increment Finance, UKTI support for inward investmentOxfordshire Perspective:Will be tough to make the grade, but we are exploring…EOI submitted, but no specific single site yet indicatedPossible multi-site EZ, summing within 0.5-1.5 ha rangeSimplified/Speeded-up Planning seen as most substantial benefit so EZ vs use of LDO Powers only, may be marginal

7. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and PlanningBusiness Improvement Districts5 yr plan of extra Revenue Raising for additional servicesRequires Ballot & Majority in favour (Oxford City’s bid did not gain a majority in 2008)Oxfordshire PerspectiveOxford City considering to re-ballotNo other cases yet consideredTax Increment Financing (2013/4 for implementation)Permission to borrow against future uplift in business rates, valuable to support infrastructure investmentOxfordshire PerspectiveNo specifics yet but could have value to support Science Vale and Bicester South

8. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and PlanningLocal Development OrdersProvide incentive for increased occupation of specific employment areasInvestment in Business Parks could be supported by an LDOCould be basis of long-term partnership with district council with use of s106 agreements/Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that link more significant developments to infrastructure improvementsOxfordshire PerspectivePotentially many opportunities across Oxfordshire

9. LEPs – Coordinators for Local GrowthFinal RemarksThe Oxfordshire Strategic Planning & Infrastructure Partnership Board (SPIP) created a Local Investment Plan (focused on up to 5 years) in March 2010, based on Local Authority & SEEDA inputThe Oxfordshire LEP will now make specific business input to the SPIP providing greater drive for growth in high value-employment & the local economy

10. Oxfordshire LEPBackup Slide

11. Oxfordshire LEP – Modus Operandi Executive (1+3+12) and overseeing Forum (1+ ~16)

12. Aim for Local Enterprise to be “Outstanding”

13. Proven Business Processes

14. Sharp Prioritisation

15. Clear Decision Taking Process

16. Action & Delivery Orientation

17. Working/Delivery Teams

18. “Row”, “Steer” and “Cheer” approach to Projects

19. Friends/Supporting Groups

20. “Oxfordshire Business First”, FSB, IoD, CBI, OTCN

21. “Distillation” and “Cascade” processes