The future is bright says Council Leader following County split

06/12/2022

“We are a standalone Council, free to fulfil our own ambitions, always putting our customers at the heart of our decisions”

The Leader of Cherwell District Council took the opportunity at last night’s Executive Committee meeting to emphasize his positive vision for the future of the Cherwell District – especially now the Council was freed from the joint working agreement it had with Oxfordshire County Council.

Earlier this year the partnership arrangement between the two councils ended.   Twenty-four services had been shared between the two organisations.  Councillor Barry Wood noted the decoupling had been a major piece of work but thanked Council staff who “continued to deliver excellent services to our residents and businesses during this period of great change”.

Councillor Wood noted that the change had given the Council “a great opportunity for the first time in a decade”.   He said: “We are a standalone Council, free to fulfil our own ambitions, always putting our customers – the people of Cherwell – at the heart of our decisions.”

The Council’s new annual delivery plan, with its 10 strategic priorities, was highlighted as one of the successes of the year and Councillor Wood noted two specific areas: “We should be very proud of the work we are doing to support residents during the cost of living crisis. In the last few weeks we have introduced a warm welcome initiative and a food voucher scheme.

“The warm welcome initiative encourages community venues and spaces to open their doors and provide an activity, information point or a hot drink or meal this winter to help those struggling with the rising costs of heating bills.

“I’m also really pleased that the £100 food vouchers we promised to households facing hardship are now reaching them in time for Christmas.”

The Council’s leader noted the Council – like everyone else – was affected by the cost-of-living crisis, but highlighted how the separation from the County Council had given Cherwell a great opportunity.

Councillor Wood concluded: “Despite the need for savings, we are sticking by our ambition to be a Council with a positive vision for the district.   

“Now that we are a standalone Council again, free to put our resources where residents and communities need them most, I am confident that this district and this Council’s futures are bright.”


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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