Council unanimously supports devolution fast-track

Plans for a major reorganisation of a county's local authorities has taken a step forward.

Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet unanimously agreed to ask the government to be placed on its fast-track programme for restructuring.

The plans would likely mean reducing the number of councils in the county to one or two unitary authorities.

The council will then look to work with other councils in the region to form a combined authority across the Thames Valley operating under a mayor.

The move follows last month's government white paper which proposed abolishing district councils and introducing larger mayoral combined authorities.

During the meeting, some councillors, including Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown, argued that the move to a combined authority should come first.

She said: "The mayoral strategic authority is an opportunity to bring together decision making that drives benefit to our economy and residents in both urban and rural areas.

"That's why this should be our initial focus and first priority ahead of local government reorganisation."

But the county council's cabinet concluded it was not yet ready to progress plans for a combined regional authority.

Leader Liz Leffman said: "We are absolutely committed to taking this forward with our partners in the county.

"Obviously there are things to be discussed with our partners in the region but we are not at a place where we can make that formal representation to government."

Some councillors raised concerns about the impact to May's local elections.

The government offered councils the opportunity to postpone elections while restructuring takes place.

But the county council's deputy leader Pete Sudbury emphasised that would only happen if completely necessary.

He said: "We think there should be elections. Only in the most extreme case, where the government says 'you can start your unitary in a year's time', would we think about delaying them."

Most councillors agreed that Oxfordshire needed to start the processes of reorganisation and devolution as soon as possible to avoid being left behind.

Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "I feel very strongly that, although I would not naturally see myself supporting government proposals of large mayoral combined authorities, we do need to accept that this is what has been set out in the white paper.

Ahead of the meeting, the leaders of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire district councils voiced their support for the plans.

David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: "Strong regional leadership, supported by a Combined Authority, has the potential to drive long-term vision, create integrated transport systems, and deliver economic benefits that support growth and prosperity across wider areas."

Andy Graham, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, welcomed the proposals.

"Working in partnership, with better funding and more powers, we have a great opportunity to address some of the key issues facing our area," he said.

The council will write to the government and outline its position by the end of the week.

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