April 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on next steps for the future development of the Oxford-Cambridge region, and proposals for continued investment through the establishment of a pan-regional partnership.
Policymakers and local stakeholders examined key issues for the creation of a coordinated, regional economic strategy, as well as policy priorities for engagement with communities, local authorities and businesses to develop new projects out of existing plans for an Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
Delegates assessed challenges and next steps for regional leaders and stakeholders in taking spatial development and transport connectivity plans forward, along with the potential impact on local communities and residents, and how best to encourage further cooperation on pan-regional projects.
Further sessions considered key issues for the region’s environment and sustainability, with discussion on integrating climate and net zero strategies into wider development plans.
Overall, areas for discussion in the agenda included:
- next steps: priorities for regional stakeholders - ambitions for the partnership - fostering cooperation - funding, lobbying and political engagement
- economic strategy: transitioning to a pan-regional approach - opportunities for building on ambitions from existing Arc projects - fostering inclusive growth - support for SMEs and green businesses
- infrastructure: supporting regional development - inter-city links and local transport networks - investment and finance priorities - engagement with transport providers and subnational bodies
- sustainability: priorities for biodiversity and natural capital protection - embedding environmental considerations in pan-regional planning - tackling water supply challenges
- spatial development: coordinating planning strategies - key issues for built-environment stakeholders and investment
- community engagement: local authority cooperation on economic development plans - effective scrutiny of projects - addressing gaps in investment and community support
- inclusive growth: opening up investment - commercial opportunities for SMEs and green businesses
- leadership: frameworks for coordinating future policy - establishing effective and transformative leadership for the region
- regional growth into the future: establishing a coordinated skills system - developing an international trade and inward investment strategy - marketing regional research and innovation strengths
- policy: the future of the Oxford-Cambridge region - priorities for economic development, planning and coordination
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Peter Horrocks CBE, Chair, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership; Chair, Economy Sub-Group; and Board Member, Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership; Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader, South Cambridgeshire District Council; and Shadow Board Member (Environment), Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership; Bridget Rosewell, Non-Executive Director, UK Infrastructure Bank; Hannah Staunton, Head of Communications, East West Rail; and Dr Dave Valler, Professor of Special Planning, Oxford Brookes University.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the DBT; Defra; DESNZ; Office for Investment; DLUHC; DfT; Forestry Commission; HM Treasury; ONS; and the ORR.
