Leader’s Report to Council – 18 December 2024

Well, they say that a week is a long time in politics and that has certainly been the case this week!

I had been jotting down notes a week ago, and I had thought the focus of my update tonight would be the long-awaited confirmation that HIF1 would proceed, something Vale has long supported as an essential element of infrastructure to support the Joint Local Plan.  

I had also intended to highlight that our Joint Local Plan with South Oxfordshire has now been formally submitted for inspection.

This is great news for both councils and I had wanted to repeat my thanks to all members who have been involved in developing this proposal, as well as our officers who have worked tirelessly over an extended period to develop a plan that reflects our Councils’ deeply held aspirations for a plan that reflects the climate emergency, whilst delivering a suitable mix of housing and infrastructure, in the right locations to support present and future communities and business across the Vale.

I had also planned to mention the recent storms and to express my thanks to all those councillors and staff who supported our residents in the days that followed.

However, in addition to the above, which I wish to place on record, as they all remind me of how special our Council and District are, this week has also seen the much-anticipated publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper. 

Whilst considerable elements of this had been widely reported in advance of its publication and there are a lot of details within it, many members have asked that I clarify my understanding of it tonight, and give an indication of what I would hope to see as ‘next steps’.

Devolution and the potential for reorganisation, have been matters of much discussion over recent months, both within Oxfordshire and beyond.  In fact, recently, at the invitation of the Leader of Swindon Borough Council, I joined other council leaders from across Oxfordshire and Berkshire to discuss the potential shape of any new Combined Authority for our area, and specifically whether Swindon should be included in any submission supported by Oxfordshire.  

I left that meeting with a strong view that Vale and Oxfordshire should look towards Berkshire and Buckinghamshire as our preferred option.  I say this noting that the White Paper is clear that District Councils will not have representation on any new combined county authorities, which I understand are to be created as a stepping stone towards a mayoral combined authority where two tier areas like ours are involved.

All of you in this chamber, and indeed anyone who knows me, will appreciate the fact that I am very proud to lead what is a strongly member led council, one that always seeks to do the right thing by its residents, and one where we support our officers to achieve the very highest standards of service delivery.   Having spoken to all the Groups within this chamber, I have reflected on the White Paper, and am strongly of the view that Vale residents are best served at this time by our clearly calling for the County Council Leader to indicate a strong position to the Secretary of State that Oxfordshire wishes to move forward quickly in response to the Governments plan for devolution and local government reorganisation. 

Our councillors, our residents, our businesses – as well as our staff – all deserve the clarity this approach would bring, assuming it was accepted by Government. Prevarication and delay will only serve to create instability, confusion, and uncertainty, all of which would be barriers to good decision making and financial sustainability and could also harm the vital services we deliver for our communities.

It is therefore my intention to write to the County Leader tomorrow, making my views clear on this matter, copying this to local Members of Parliament.  Based on my discussion with all Vale Groups, I will be able to confirm that in addition to this being my position as Leader, it is also the view of all groups on this Council. 

Sometimes, doing the right thing is not always the easiest thing to achieve consensus on, so I am grateful for the strong indications of support from all Vale groups for the position I am taking.  I would also highlight that our officers have acted with their usual speed and efficiency in undertaking proactive communications and engagement with all staff, as well as all political groups, something I know that they will work hard to sustain, recognising it is something I am personally committed to as well.

While the coming weeks will be a busy time for us all, I would still like to think that everyone will have a chance for a well-deserved break over the festive season and wish you all a happy Christmas and new year ahead, full of opportunities for partnerships with our neighbours.

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council

Wednesday 18 December 2024