County council’s responses to local government reorganisation to be debated
Councillors will be asked to endorse formal responses to the government’s statutory consultation on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Oxfordshire.
There are three proposals being consulted on for Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve formal responses to all of them during its meeting on 17 March.
The county council is backing its One Oxfordshire proposal, which is for a single countywide unitary council – Oxfordshire Council – that will provide stronger, simpler services that are closer to communities, connected and cost effective.
The other two other proposals – one proposing two unitary councils and the other three councils, both including West Berkshire – will also be critiqued with the county council explaining why it thinks these options should not be taken forward.
The consultation was launched by government on 5 February and all individuals and organisations can respond.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “One Oxfordshire offers a once in a generation opportunity to build a stronger, fairer and more ambitious future for the county.
“It is the only proposal that fully meets government criteria with the scale, efficiency and resilience to save the most money and withstand future financial shocks; the stability to protect and improve critical services; and the simplicity residents want.
“It will bring together all council services across Oxfordshire to create a new single authority, Oxfordshire Council, with the strength and voice to activate exciting and enduring change. It will provide one front door, meaning easier access to support for residents and businesses.
“This single council will protect not separate critical services like high-performing adult and children's social care avoiding the duplication and disruption that two or three councils would create.
“It will provide greater financial resilience and value for money saving £63 million each year and total net savings of £163 million by year five – more than two or three councils can achieve.
“One Oxfordshire will ensure local voices are heard through stronger and simpler local governance bringing decision making closer to communities with clear accountability and a single set of councillors operating at the heart of their areas.
“It will strengthen and simplify partnership work through countywide collaboration at scale and with one council, not several.
“It will simplify and streamline planning to provide sustainable and equitable housing, transport and infrastructure for the whole county so people can move well wherever they live, work and play.
“Crucially, it will give our county a powerful unified voice that can champion our people, our place and our economy with government and investors, unlocking Oxfordshire’s potential for greater inclusive growth regionally, nationally and globally.”
Cabinet colleagues will debate the county council’s formal responses to the consultation on 17 March and decide whether to endorse the proposed responses.
The county council’s One Oxfordshire website provides up to date information on LGR as a whole, access to all three proposals, a breakdown of the strengths and benefits of One Oxfordshire and a clear link to the government's consultation.
The statutory consultation closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 26 March. The consultation is open for everyone to have their say.