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Green councillors want certainty county elections will happen this year
14/01/2025
They are unhappy with some elements of the County Council’s letter on local government reorganisation
Green councillors are pushing for the 2025 local elections to take place, in the face of uncertainty following the government’s announcement in December on devolution and local government reorganisation.
They say that those responsible for shaping how local government will look in our area in the future need a clear mandate from the electorate, adding that this can only be provided by ensuring the 2025 local elections take place.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet last week agreed to send a letter to the government expressing an interest in being put forward for local government reorganisation.
Green councillors have criticised the letter as they say it lacks specific details, including the need for this May’s elections. They are also concerned that the government timescale for responses made no allowance for public consultation.
Ian Middleton, who leads the Greens at both Oxfordshire County and Cherwell District Councils, said: “The rush to meet the government’s narrow timescale for a response to their proposals has left local councils struggling to make sense of what seems like a constantly shifting agenda with little time for internal discussion and none for wider consultation.
“The Cabinet meeting left us with more questions than answers, especially on the question of if the County elections will proceed. The message from the Green Party is that those who will be responsible for shaping the new landscape of local government need a clear mandate from the electorate. That can only be provided by ensuring the 2025 elections proceed.”
The last Oxfordshire County Council elections were held in 2021. Prior to the government’s announcement in December they were due to be held again this May. None of the seats at Cherwell District Council were up for election this year.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam