Bid for a single Oxfordshire council submitted to government

COUNCILLORS John Cotton, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, and  Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council jointly announced today (23/3) that they have submitted proposals for a single council for Oxfordshire to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Cllrs John Cotton (L) Ian Hudspeth (centre) and Matthew Barber

A joint statement published today, said: “Our three councils have listened to the views of residents, businesses and other organisations across Oxfordshire and worked hard to address any concerns in the final bid – and with seventy percent of those surveyed showing support for a single unitary, we know we are on the right track.”

It is estimated that the proposed unification of the six councils could save authorities £100m over the first five years, with initial savings of £20.5m coming from the reduction of council posts and office space, with £20m further efficiencies annually. (figures from PSE – Public Services Executive). Oxford City Council is against the proposal, as is Cherwell District and West Oxfordshire District Councils.

Last month Cherwell launched a petition against the proposals and is encouraging residents and business leaders to add their names until it closes at the end of March. The petition will be sumitted to the Government, CDC has said, to show that residents oppose the unitary model.

To sign the petition go to change.org/p/stop-plans-for-a-unitary-authority-in-oxfordshire

To read the full statement from the three Unitary Council proponents, see LINK