Leader’s Report to Council

As reported by Cllr Bethia Thomas to the Vale of White Horse District Council meeting on Wednesday 17 July 2024.

Writing this report has been challenging as I have so much news to give you, I wasn’t quite sure where to start.

Obviously, I need to note the election results, nationally of course, and our own by-election which welcomes new councillor Peter Stevens to our ranks.  In doing so, I wish to thank all our officers, and residents from across the Vale who worked so hard to deliver the elections so successfully.

On 4 July we saw a complete modal shift in national government and a political shift across the county both of which reflect the changing views of the people of Britain and Oxfordshire. I welcome the chance of meeting with our three new MPs, and since the boundary review has added a third constituency of Witney to our district, along with Didcot and Wantage and Oxford West and Abingdon; I would like to congratulate Layla Moran, on her return to office,  as well as newly elected MPs Charlie Maynard, and Olly Glover; I am sure they will make a difference in our communities, working for their residents as we do.

With the change in government in Westminster I welcome the chance to work with the new secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, who has launched her call for council reform; I have already received an initial letter from Government regarding their commitment to devolution, which I will ensure is circulated to all members.  

As with our discussions on the Future Oxfordshire Partnership, I will ensure that rather than committing to a headlong rush to respond to Government – as I fear some may seek to do before they are even clear on the offer being made – that all Vale members have the time they require to input towards any position we take and that our discussions happen after Government have made their own position clear in the coming weeks. I have asked officers to contact MHCLG to make our position clear. 

I will also be seeking the support of the relevant MPs, to jointly call on the Secretary of State for a meeting on not just SESRO but the wider area of the water crisis – an area far too important to be left to the commercial concerns of failing companies.  A proper solution, involving the creation of a National Water Grid and Water Transfer Authority, would remove the unneeded, expensive, and damaging proposal of the mega-reservoir for good – by delivering a sustainable, positive, and constructive way out of the water crisis for all our residents. 

With the election of increased numbers of Liberal Democrat MPs, there is a clear local mandate for grown up politics that puts rhetoric and dogma aside.  There is now a stronger Liberal Democrat voice across Oxfordshire than ever before, and a new Government who specifically say they want to listen to local councils and take their input on board.  I believe we must take this opportunity to engage on a political level with national Government, and I will do all I can to ensure that we do.

Weeks after the election are always busy as events return to the normal pattern and pace.

I was disappointed last week with the news of Botley Road and the delay by Network Rail to complete their work at the station and re-open Botley Road; I am writing a strong letter condemning this failure, and the way it has been communicated to members and the public; it impacts on many residents and businesses in the area.

More positive news has come this week, with the approval of Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme which our council has supported for many years.  Once delivered, this scheme will help protect hundreds of our residents’ homes and livelihoods from the devastation of flooding. Monday also saw the launch of the Town and Parish Charter insuring that the high-quality communications we have pioneered with parishes across the Vale are maintained and developed right across the county.

In coming weeks, I will meet with leaders of other Oxfordshire Councils to discuss the future of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership. We have all recognised that the partnership has reached a point where we need to address its scope and function. I have written to other leaders with our vision of a much-reduced organisation, championing the kind of partnership working that is meaningful and brings value to our residents, highlighting that partnership is only a benefit where it adds value and achieves more than would otherwise be the case. I have already written to the chairs of our Scrutiny and JAG Committees inviting them to engage with this process as it moves forward. I have been clear with the Leaders of the other Oxfordshire Councils, that Vale will only agree to changes in the objectives, aims and structure of FOP after those proposals have benefited from consideration by  Joint Audit and Governance and Scrutiny, and have been approved Cabinet.

In future meetings in this chamber, with the new the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Chair in place, I will ensure that all members are updated on any proposals and how these fit within a rapidly changing landscape that will no doubt evolve further, which includes the realignment of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership within the county council.

I wish to give a clear commitment to you all, if change cannot be agreed that is in the interests of Vale, I will not support them and I will seek to work with all members and our officers to reassess our position within the Future Oxfordshire Partnership, and find new ways to partner with our neighbouring councils, both within the county and with our near neighbours in other counties.

When we return to this chamber after the summer, I hope we will all have a better idea of how this will sit. At that meeting, I hope we will also welcome our new permanent monitoring officer, whose appointment we considered tonight.

No matter what landscape the future brings, I am sure that Vale will continue to deliver for its residents and that we will positively engage in forging new relationships and working constructively with our partners both nationally and locally.