The Shareholder Committee (Cabinet Committee) of Oxfordshire Council met on Tuesday 24 February 2026 and approved the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business Plan for 2026/27, along with an indicative budget for 2027/28. A second version of the business plan will be developed following the finalisation of the Economic Strategy.

Approval of Enterprise Oxfordshire Business Plan 2026/27

The committee approved the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business Plan for 2026/27, which outlines the organisation's activities and service delivery functions. This includes investment facilitation, Connect to Work, Growth Hub, the Careers & Enterprise Company, Skills Bootcamps, Community Employment Plans, and the Apprenticeship & Skills Levy. Many of these programmes are funded by central government and are designed to support businesses and residents across Oxfordshire.

The plan also details a refreshed set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track the company's performance. A significant aspect of the approved plan is the reversal of a previously agreed savings target of £285,000, and the full drawdown of a £1.6 million contribution from the Enterprise Zone, which will be extended to 2027/28. This funding will support the development of additional capabilities, including the Oxfordshire Green Futures Green Finance programme, operational support for the Equinox innovation initiative, and a centralised inward investment function.

Councillor Ben Higgins, Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation, presented the report. It was noted that the Enterprise Oxfordshire Board had approved these plans on 29 January 2026. The committee was informed that a second version of the business plan would be produced after the Economic Development Strategy is considered by Cabinet, which will then inform other areas of Enterprise Oxfordshire's work. Councillor Higgins proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, and subsequently approved by the committee.

The decision to approve the business plan and indicative budget was made For Determination ¹, meaning it will become effective at the end of the working day on Friday 27 February unless called in for review by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.