The Delegated Decisions by Leader of the Council meeting on Monday 11 May 2026 is scheduled to consider proposals for Innovate Oxfordshire to provide external innovation services and for the Council to enter into a sub-contract agreement with Space Clipper.

Innovate Oxfordshire Authority to Trade

The meeting is scheduled to consider a report on Innovate Oxfordshire, the Council's self-funding innovation service. The report outlines a proposal for Innovate Oxfordshire to provide time-limited, innovation-related services externally for payment. It is recommended that the Cabinet Member notes that Innovate Oxfordshire's business model includes offering these services to external parties. Authority is proposed to be delegated to the Director of Economy and Place to agree to the provision of these services to third parties, within the Director's financial delegations. External activity is intended to be approved on a case-by-case basis and priced primarily on a full cost recovery basis, including overheads. The Council may invoice for current external work undertaken by Innovate Oxfordshire on this basis. This proposal aims to enable appropriate external engagements to be progressed in a timely and controlled manner, supporting the Council's priorities for economic development and innovation.

Approval to Sign Space Clipper Sub-Contract

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding an agreement with Space Clipper, a software developer. The Council is being asked to agree to enter into a sub-contract agreement with Space Clipper to support the delivery of an innovation project. This project aims to improve the visualisation of Local Area Energy Plans and Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point plans. The Council was approached by Space Clipper to act as a sub-contractor for a bid to UK Research and Innovation, which was successful. The sub-contract agreement, reviewed by legal services, has a total value of £4,042.50 (excluding VAT) for each service provided, covering only the Council's costs. This initiative supports the Council's Corporate Plan by enhancing the ability to communicate important aspects of the energy system and build stakeholder understanding, contributing to greener and fairer strategic priorities. The project will involve allocating 10 days from officers in the Climate Action Service and Innovate Oxfordshire over a nine-month period to attend meetings and follow up on review actions. The software tool has also been trialled to help people in deprived neighbourhoods understand the energy system.