Proposal for single Oxford and Shires Council to cover our area
30/10/2025
Cherwell says the proposal it is backing is big enough to be efficient but local enough to care
More details have been released of the option for local government re-organisation in our area which is being backed by Cherwell District Council.
They have been working with four other district councils on a plan which proposes two councils – one for the existing Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire areas and a second for the areas currently covered by South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire Councils.
Our authority would be known as Oxford and Shires Council. It would replace both Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils.
The five existing councils behind the model believe it would tackle existing inefficiencies, improve services, and support local communities, with possible savings reaching £59.8m a year. They say the two authorities created would be big enough to be efficient, stable and reliable, but local enough to care and be responsive to communities.
The proposal has been designed to meet the criteria set out by the government, which called for solutions which would serve populations of around 500,000, be financially stable, deliver high-quality services, be responsive to the needs of communities and support positive growth across the region.
The councils say their two-authority unitary solution allows for sustainable growth in Oxford, the market towns and rural areas, balancing the needs of different communities and delivering more jobs, better transport and the right homes in the right places.
It would also allow a new, local approach to Adults’ Social Care and Children’s Services – which currently are one of the largest areas of expense.
Just under 100 councillors would be elected to serve on Oxford and Shires Council.
Councillors at Cherwell (and the four other authorities) will consider the two-authority proposal in the coming weeks before it is submitted to the government, where a final decision will be made.
Cllr David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “Our proposal for two new unitary councils will create authorities that are designed around what our communities truly need. They will be locally accountable to their residents and underpinned by sound finances, positioning them to serve and empower future generations.
“By drawing from the strengths of all parts of Oxfordshire, Oxford and West Berkshire, these councils will be the right size to deliver for our residents and businesses – enterprising, connected and ready to meet local priorities.”
Further details of the two-authority proposal can be read here.
Alternative ideas have been put forward by the County Council, which is proposing one authority for the whole of Oxfordshire and Oxford City Council, who believe there should be a council for the city with an expanded border and two other councils for the north and south of the county.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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