Purpose

Seeking approval of funding from the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund

Decision

The Council developed and launched an investment programme called the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund, which went live in March 2026 with its first call for projects. In broad terms the fund supports Economic Development within the county through programmes and activities that enhance the delivery of the Economic Growth Plan, regeneration ambitions and accelerate the growth and development of the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zones.

Prior to the launch of the fund, the Council was aware of two major investment propositions, which had already developed a full business case and were at critical point of seeking additional funding to secure the status of the projects.

Buckinghamshire Council had a unique opportunity to support these two strategically significant, investment-ready projects that directly align with the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan and the objectives of the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund. Full business cases had been submitted for both the National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) at Westcott and the Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation & Excellence at Denham, placing them at a more advanced stage of development than other emerging propositions from the recent investment proposal call.

Both projects were well positioned to contribute to Buckinghamshire’s ambitions to grow high-value sectors, foster innovation, strengthen business collaboration, develop future skills, and enhance the county’s reputation as a location for research, technology and advanced industry investment. Their advanced status, coupled with time-sensitive match-funding requirements, creates a strong case for prioritised investment decisions.

The National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) would strengthen Buckinghamshire’s unique position within the rapidly growing autonomous systems, aerospace and drone technology sectors. The project was expected to support innovation, attract high-value businesses and investment, create skilled employment opportunities, and provide a platform for collaboration between industry, academia and government partners. Investment in NADIC would reinforce the strategic importance of the Westcott Enterprise Zone and support the county’s long-term productivity and competitiveness objectives.

The Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation & Excellence represented a significant opportunity to secure private-sector-led research, innovation and skills investment within Buckinghamshire. The project aligned closely with the Growth Plan’s focus on innovation, business growth and workforce development, while strengthening relationships with a globally recognised technology and engineering company.

Together, these projects demonstrated strong strategic alignment with the Growth Plan priorities and were expected to deliver substantial economic benefits through innovation, job creation, skills development and wider investment attraction.

Full businesses cases were presented to the Enterprise and Investment Board, Growth Board and assessed by an external provider to provide an independent assessment.

Cabinet was therefore recommended to approve Local Growth Fund investment in the National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) and the Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation & Excellence, so funding agreements could be drawn up. Early approval would enable the projects to secure external match funding, accelerate project delivery and maximise the economic benefits for Buckinghamshire.

All projects approved through the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund, including future projects requiring Cabinet approval, would be subject to the Council’s established governance processes. It was proposed that funding agreements were drafted by the Council’s Legal Services team in collaboration with the Investment team and signed off by the Service Director for Economy, Investment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, ensuring that all funding arrangements were robust, compliant, and appropriately governed. All decisions regarding the award of any future funding will be referred back to Cabinet, with authority to sign the relevant agreements delegated to the Service Director for Economy, Investment & Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, within the parameters approved by Cabinet in those reports.

RESOLVED

1)      That the recommendations made by the Enterprise & Investment Board and Buckinghamshire Growth Board for investment into the time-critical investment projects be endorsed: -

a)      The National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) at Westcott - £2.25m

b)     The Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation and Excellence at Denham - £2m

2)      Authority be delegated to the Service Director for Economy, Investment & Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, to sign off these two funding agreements. All decisions regarding the award of any future funding will be referred back to Cabinet, with authority to sign the relevant agreements delegated to the Service Director for Economy, Investment & Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, within the parameters approved by Cabinet in those reports.