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Agenda item

Local Government Reorganisation

Purpose

To provide the full proposals for the three unitary models covering the entire existing boundary of all Oxfordshire Councils and West Berkshire Council in response to the Government’s formal invitation on the 5th February 2025.

 

Recommendations

That the Committee:

1.    Note that since the statutory invitation to all councils in two tier areas, significant work has been undertaken by all Oxfordshire Councils and that West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils’ officers have engaged with officers across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

2.    Considers the submission of a proposal for a two unitary model based on one new unitary council covering the entire existing boundaries of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils and Oxford City Council, with the working title of ‘Oxford & Shires’ and a second new unitary covering the entire existing boundaries of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and West Berkshire Council, with the working title of ‘Ridgeway’.

3.    Note that two other proposals will be submitted, one proposed by Oxfordshire County Council covering the Oxfordshire area and one from Oxford City Council covering the Oxfordshire and West Berkshire area. 

4.    Note that should the Executive agree to submit the full proposal for the two unitary model, Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council will jointly submit it directly to Government in line with the Oxfordshire invitation letter.

 

Minutes:

The Director of Place and the Head of Communications/Strategy conducted a joint presentation which summarised the key criteria areas for the three proposals for Local Government Reorganisation. Extensive detailed information regards the 3 proposals were contained within the document previously circulated. These options included:

(i)            A single County unitary,

(ii)           two unitaries, covering Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

(iii)         Three unitaries covering Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

 

The two unitary model for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire proposed in the report considered by Members, outlined a clear, evidence-based plan to deliver better, more efficient and more locally accountable public services. It proposed to create two new councils that offered the right balance between efficiency and local identity, each servicing around 450,000 – 500,000 people, meeting the Government’s criteria and being large enough to be efficient and stable, but small enough to stay connected to communities.

 

The full proposal developed by Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, West Berkshire Council and West Oxfordshire District Council was attached as Appendix 3 of the agenda pack.

 

Members considered the information presented and debated the pros and cons of the options, but acknowledged that ultimately the decision was one that would be taken by the Government.

 

Amongst the concerns raised was the lack of clarity regards investment in the rural economy and the future of farming, along with a review of mental health services. Concern was also expressed regards the likelihood of a changing profile for local Councillors, and the skill set that would be necessary in view of the expanded range of services and needs of the community following reorganisation. Other matters of concern related to the diminishing role of town and parish councils, which provided an invaluable service in terms of accessible local government to residents. Members were informed that it was of vital importance that consideration was given to the gap between the unitary council and the town and parishes, and how best to ensure those linkages remained strong in the future model. Moreover, it was necessary to ensure that the structure of the unitary facilitated this.

 

Based on the discussion, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee made a number of recommendations to the Executive.

 

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Commmittee:

 

1.     Noted that since the statutory invitation to all councils in two tier areas, significant work has been undertaken by all Oxfordshire Councils and that West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils’ officers have engaged with officers across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

 

2.      Considered the submission of a proposal for a two unitary model based on one new unitary council covering the entire existing boundaries of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils and Oxford City Council, with the working title of ‘Oxford & Shires’ and a second new unitary covering the entire existing boundaries of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and West Berkshire Council, with the working title of ‘Ridgeway’.

 

3.     Noted that two other proposals will be submitted, one proposed by Oxfordshire County Council covering the Oxfordshire area and one from Oxford City Council covering the Oxfordshire and West Berkshire area.

 

4.     Noted that should the Executive agree to submit the full proposal for the two unitary model, Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council will jointly submit it directly to Government in line with the Oxfordshire invitation letter.

 

5.     Recommended that the Executive strengthen the focus on addressing the specific challenges faced in rural areas (e.g. mental health, agriculture) within the Two Unitary Authority proposal.

 

6.     Recommended that the Executive strengthen the mentions of the equality aspects (e.g. Housing, Social Care, SEND) within the Two Unitary Authority proposal.

 

7.     Recommended Continue to engage with Town and Parish Councils to clarify the role they will have in the context of LGR and reflect this within the model and strengthen the mention of this within the Two Unitary Authority proposals.

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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