In February of this year, Oxford and Oxfordshire were granted City Deal status by the Government. City Deal status gives greater decision making power to local Government in Oxfordshire and its key partners, to drive economic growth across the county

City Deals are a key part of the Government’s strategy to boost economic growth. This second wave of City Deals will speed up the devolution of decision-making powers from Government departments and open the door to new and innovative ways to encourage growth.

The Government has identified the Oxford city region as a national economic asset and the focus of a world‐class knowledge economy with one of the most substantial, diverse and important concentrations of research based, high‐value business activities in Europe.

The city region is at the heart of the science and knowledge‐based economy that Government identifies as the centrepiece of national economic recovery, as well as one of the UK’s highest SME concentrations identified for growth.

Oxford and Oxfordshire have been invited to present Government Ministers with detailed proposals about it plans to develop and grow the city region by this autumn. A series of working groups have been set up across Oxfordshire’s local authorities to develop these plans which cover five key areas -below. The plans are expected to tackle major issues within the local economy and to offer ambitious solutions that harness public and private sector resources, and demonstrate strong leadership in the local area.

Key areas covered by City Deal

• New mechanisms for investing in growth
• Delivering the skills and jobs that local businesses and people need
• Support for business
• Developing critical infrastructure
• Enhanced governance and accountability arrangements for local authorities