The Oxfordshire Growth Board - of which OxLEP is a member - has agreed new initiatives that further consolidate collaborative working across the county.

The Growth Board yesterday (30 October) approved proposals to develop a joint spatial plan for Oxfordshire; to apply to the Government to set up a countywide pilot for retention and pooling of business rates in 2018/19; and to create a ‘Living Lab’ within the county to test and measure the impact of a variety of innovative approaches to improve health, mobility and energy generation.

Full details on the plans can be found via the Oxford City Council website.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “In recent weeks – we have seen strong indications that the Oxfordshire economy is building on an environment that supports dynamic economic growth.

“Just last week – national research suggested that Oxford had the second fastest-growing economy of any UK city, whilst business space requirements in Oxfordshire increased by 74% in the first half of this financial year, reaching a half-year record high of 225,000 square feet across the county.

“As a Growth Board, we need to ensure that we continue to build on this, as well as sensitively developing an infrastructure that is fit for purpose, further supporting our ability to grow.”