Notes

  • Note by

    Olivia Churchill

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    School streets to be trialled in Banbury, Carterton, Didcot and Headington

    School streets to be trialled in Banbury, Carterton, Didcot and Headington

    A number of school street trials to encourage safer, healthier and more active school day starts and finishes have been given the go ahead at an Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member decision meeting.

    The school streets trials approved are:

    • Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Carterton
    • Harriers Banbury Academy, Banbury
    • Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School, Didcot

    An extension to the existing school street for Sandhills Community Primary School in Headington has also been agreed.

    Read more

  • Note by

    Ay Adeduro

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    Council reps meet to discuss devolution and potential creation of a Strategic Authority

    Representatives from councils in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Swindon met in Oxford on 31 January to discuss the government’s expectations for a possible future Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).

    The discussion highlighted the need to focus on health, growth and economic development and ensuring that any Strategic Authority provides the best possible outcome for all our residents, businesses and communities.

    Further discussion and work will take place on the optimum size, scope and membership of a Strategic Authority.

    Council reps meet to discuss devolution and potential creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority
    Discussion on devolution and potential creation of a Strategic Authority - 08
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    Discussion on devolution and potential creation of a Strategic Authority - 01

  • Note by

    Esme Kenney, Local Democracy Reporter

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    Oxfordshire County Council sets aside £5m for Local Government reorganisation

    Oxfordshire County Council have agreed for £5 million in savings to be transferred to a new fund to cover the costs of devolution.

    Oxfordshire County Council have agreed for £5 million in savings to be transferred to a new fund to cover the costs of devolution.

    Cabinet members voted to support putting the money aside into a Local Government Reorganisation Fund, a new reserve for the costs associated with devolution, during their meeting on Tuesday, 22 January.

    Part of the funds will be sourced from a £3.7 million one-off payment from the £7.4 million funding from the contingency budget. Another £1.3 million from the pay inflation budget will also be put into the devolution pot.

    These plans form part of a budget planning report that is set to be agreed on at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 28 January, and will be voted on by all councillors at the full council meeting on Tuesday, 11 February.

  • Note by

    Ay Adeduro

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    Oxford City Council’s leader criticises Oxfordshire County Council’s devolution plans

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, addressed Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet to oppose the County Council’s devolution plans.

    Read more

    The Government wants to create new mayors across regions of England, which would have devolved powers and money to coordinate housing, transport and economic growth.

    It then wants to merge district and county councils within the mayoral regions to create ‘unitary authorities’ that would carry out the day-to-day work of existing councils. 

    Oxfordshire County Council has asked the Government to fast-track plans to merge Oxfordshire’s councils, which could see the county council elections in May cancelled.

    Councillor Brown has stated that “The City Council believes the boundaries of the new Thames Valley mayoral authority should be decided before any of the councils within the Thames Valley are merged.

    “We also think cancelling the County Council elections, with no realistic prospect of a successor authority being in place quickly, risks creating a democratic deficit.

    “People across Oxfordshire have a right to vote on the current administration’s record. 

    “As the County Council ignored our views at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, we have written to the Government today to set them out.”

  • Note by

    Olivia Churchill

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    Oxford City Council writes to Government about devolution

    Oxford City Council Leader responds to Government’s devolution white paper

    Oxford City Council has written to the Government about its proposal for devolution and local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire.

    The letter has been sent because Oxford City Council does not support Oxfordshire County Council’s request to cancel county council elections and to move forward with local government reorganisation ahead of agreeing the geography within which it would be operating as a Mayoral Combined Authority.

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, wrote to Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, earlier today (10 January).

  • Note by

    Ay Adeduro

    •

    Will Swindon align with Oxon, Berks, and Bucks in local government devolution?

    Will Swindon align with Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire in local government devolution

    Swindon Borough Council faces a pivotal decision on its potential inclusion in a devolution deal as part of the Government’s push for larger strategic authorities.

    These authorities, with a population target of around 1.5 million, would receive extra powers and funding to address issues such as housing, transport, public health, and economic development.

    Read more

    Two competing proposals have emerged:

    1. Heart of Wessex: Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Councils have already submitted a joint bid. Proponents argue Swindon’s existing collaboration with these rural counties in areas such as police, fire services, and health provides a strong foundation for partnership. Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer highlights the importance of Swindon’s economic contributions to the success of this bid.
    2. M4 Corridor: Swindon is also considering alignment with Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, looking east along the M4 Corridor. Swindon Council leader Jim Robbins and business leaders from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce argue this option better reflects Swindon’s urban nature and strong economic ties with neighbouring towns and cities. Paul Britton, chief executive of the Thames Valley Chamber, and Les Durrant, president of the Swindon Chamber, emphasise that prioritising the Thames Valley would build on established industry and commerce links, boosting regional and national growth.

    While Swindon has been in talks with both groups, Robbins has suggested that collaboration along the M4 corridor might better align with Swindon’s urban and economic profile than the largely rural Heart of Wessex.

    The Government’s English Devolution White Paper clarifies that unitary authorities like Swindon would retain powers not devolved to the strategic authority, but two-tier systems like Oxfordshire’s may see lower-tier councils dissolved. Swindon is carefully reviewing its options, seeking a decision that maximises economic growth and best serves its residents and businesses.

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