Purpose

To secure external grant funding to support
the establishment and ongoing operational activities of the
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Chilterns RDSC, including
maintaining free membership, delivering events and stakeholder
engagement, maintaining an independent website, developing a
regional capability “heat map”, and meeting MoD/UKDI
reporting requirements through to 31 March 2027.

Content

To accept the Ministry of Defence (MoD),
acting through the UK Defence Innovation Organisation (UKDI), offer
of grant funding (described as a “donation”) for a
maximum of £109,932 for the period to 31 March 2027; and to
authorise Oxfordshire County Council to act as the accountable
authority / grant recipient on behalf of the Oxfordshire,
Buckinghamshire and Chilterns RDSC, entering into the associated
Grant Funding Agreement and complying with its terms, including
reporting, audit and use-of-funds conditions.

Financial details: maximum grant £109,932 comprised of up to
£47,780 in FY2025/26 and up to £62,152 in FY2026/27.
Funding is revenue and must be applied only to eligible expenditure
for the funded activities (e.g., project management/support,
events, website, communications, branded materials, heat map
development, quarterly reporting and assurance/audit fees). No
overspend will be funded; any ineligible expenditure, duplicate
funding or unspent monies may be subject to clawback/repayment
under the Agreement.

Reasons for the decision

The grant will enable continuation and
enhancement of RDSC operational support activities which otherwise
rely on in-kind member contributions, and will strengthen regional
defence and security collaboration and innovation. Acceptance is
subject to conditions on eligible expenditure, governance, audit,
reporting and fraud controls, which the Council can administer as
accountable authority.

Alternative options considered

1) Do not accept the grant – would forgo
external funding and risk reduced RDSC capacity/activities.
2) Seek an alternative accountable authority – would delay
mobilisation and may not be feasible within MoD
deadlines/requirements.
3) Accept funding but seek amendments – could jeopardise
award and timing; the offer is on standard terms.