Oxfordshire County Council has urged residents to back the One Oxfordshire proposal after the UK government outlined decisions on local government reorganisation in other parts of England under its fast-track devolution priority programme.
The government, subject to parliamentary approval, has chosen to move forward with five unitary councils covering Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock; five unitary authorities across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton; three unitary councils in Norfolk; and three in Suffolk.
Decisions for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex remain pending.
Oxfordshire is not included in the devolution priority programme, with a government decision expected in July.
Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “One Oxfordshire 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 also simplify and streamline planning to provide sustainable and equitable growth – housing, transport and infrastructure – for the whole county so people can move well wherever they live, work and play.
“We have noted that a single county unitary is not the way forward for the councils that proposed one in Norfolk and Suffolk. That makes it all the more important that people respond before our own consultation concludes tomorrow on 26 March.”
Two alternative local government reorganisation proposals remain under consideration, both involving West Berkshire. One suggests creating three unitary councils, while the other proposes two.
Councillor Leffman added:
“We welcome recent news that the government is planning to create a Greater Oxford Development Corporation. We believe the real opportunity lies in taking an approach that reflects the county’s network of science parks, innovation campuses and high-growth businesses across our towns and rural areas.
“A unified council, working alongside a strong, properly scoped development corporation, would provide the clarity of leadership, democratic accountability and delivery capacity needed to unlock sustainable growth that benefits all our communities.
“By aligning strategic planning, infrastructure investment and local decision-making across the whole county, we can build the homes people need, support sustainable transport, and secure long-term economic prosperity for Oxfordshire as a whole.”
“One Oxfordshire will bring together all council services across the county 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 the greatest 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.
“The other two proposals cannot match the One Oxfordshire proposal. Please do have your say and make Oxfordshire’s voice heard loud and clear.”
Residents can review all three Oxfordshire proposals through the One Oxfordshire consultation website before the statutory consultation closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 26 March. The consultation remains open to everyone wishing to submit views.
