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Oxfordshire should move quickly on Local Government Reorganisation

Published 10 January 2025

It is in the interests of local communities that Oxfordshire is at the forefront of government plans to reorganise local councils. That was the message from the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council as she welcomed a decision this week by the Cabinet at Oxfordshire County Council to write to the government requesting Oxfordshire be included in the ‘fast track’ for devolution and local government reorganisation.

The government published a white paper in December outlining plans for comprehensive reform of local government across England that would see the creation of large regional Strategic Authorities along with the creation of new unitary councils in areas like Oxfordshire that currently have a two-tier council system.

Cllr Bethia Thomas spoke at the county council’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday to reiterate that there was agreement across all political groups at the district council that the Vale would be best served by moving swiftly to find the best solution for its residents.

Cllr Thomas told the county council Cabinet: “Prevarication and delay will only serve to create instability, confusion, and uncertainty, all of which would be barriers to good decision making and our collective financial sustainability. Delay also is likely to harm the vital services we deliver for our communities, unsettle our officer core and council structures, and reduce confidence in the unique global hotspot for enterprise and innovation within our district.

“Some may be concerned that we are not ready to move forward with this decision, but I would disagree. I would like to think that once our intention is made, that we then can set about the work to get our preferred geographies mapped out and work with our partners both within the county and beyond to find the best solution for our residents.”

Ultimately the decision about the timetable and the shape of any proposed new councils in Oxfordshire lies in the hands of the government, but the district council is in constructive discussions with all partner and neighbouring authorities to discuss all of the various options for how a strategic authority and unitary councils could best work for communities in the Vale.