The Government has launched a consultation on options to reorganise local councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
It asks residents for their views on each of the three proposals put forward for Oxfordshire – two of which would see West Berkshire joining a new ‘Ridgeway Council’ covering West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. The consultation will inform the Government’s decision later in the year.
Last year, five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire formally supported a proposal for two new unitary authorities. They say the offer will benefit residents and businesses, but the move will also see jobs merge or go as fewer management positions will be needed to run one service.
Vale of White Horse council leader Bethia Thomas said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity – and we need to think about what will truly deliver for our communities both now and in the future.”
She added: “The three-unitary option would be devastating for Oxford, the green belt and the surrounding area.”
“The proposal isn’t viable – all of the growth is planned for a heavily constrained Green Belt and it won’t be long before all the developable land is used up and the city has to knock on its neighbouring councils’ doors asking for help to deliver housing.”
“It’s also disappointing to see that there isn’t a credible model included in the three-unitary proposal for the south and north councils.”
West Berkshire Council leader Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said: “It’s important that through LGR [local government reorganisation] we deliver the best option for our residents.”
He added: “The two-unitary option creates councils that are aligned to their communities, will deliver the sustainable growth we need and give us the platform to deliver better, more cost-effective services.”
“It will help us proactively tackle the financial challenges facing West Berkshire as a small unitary authority whilst preserving the character and communities we hold dear.”
Residents can take part in the consultation on the GOV.UK website. The consultation is open until March 26. Respondents can either take part in an online survey or write directly to the Government with their views.
The proposals for the two unitary councils are: Oxford & Shires – created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire; and Ridgeway Council – created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire.
The proposal for three unitary councils is Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings; Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts; and Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with West Berkshire.
The ‘One Oxfordshire’ proposal, backed by Oxfordshire County Council, aims to create a single unitary council for the existing Oxfordshire county area. This specific proposal does not include West Berkshire.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
