The Chief Executive has submitted the draft letter for the consultation of Local Government reorganisation. The report and letter will be published on 12 March as a supplementary agenda.

The Chief Executive had submitted the draft letter for the consultation of Local Government reorganisation to Cabinet. The Chief Executive presented the report. She outlined the basis of the report, stating that the Government had requested an interim plan for local government reorganisation. She noted that in Oxfordshire, the different authorities had agreed to work together on the interim plan and the proposal includes three possible plans.

The Chief Executive said that in considering future local government options that they will take the time to consider what is best for residents in the county as they reform the government. She advised that this could come across as a quite technocratic process, but it is important that they take into account the form and purpose of local government in the areas they serve as they consider what the new structure should be.

The Chief Executive continued and said that Government will consider how the changes could support local governmental reform and better outcomes for residents, as well as the growth priorities of the Government. She said that they will also need to consider how they engage with and support communities as they undergo this process. She noted that the three unitary option should be one of those considered and the Council are developing proposals for this option. She advised that this is not a decision point as of yet, they are expecting feedback and there is a considerable amount of work to be done before final proposals are submitted in November.

The Chief Executive noted that there are different views on the different options in the report, and they will continue to have conversations with neighbouring authorities, to help them think about their proposal and how it can be configured to meet Government requirements and citizens’ needs. She said she was grateful to officers across the Council for their work thus far on the proposals, though there is still considerable work to be done for this process.

Councillor Brown thanked the Chief Executive for the work she had done on this matter and their proposal. Councillor Brown reminded Cabinet that the current meeting was a step in the process, but not yet a decision point.

Councillor Arshad thanked members and officers for their work on the proposal and their work to support the city as the process unfolds.

Councillor Hollingsworth thanked officers and expressed support for the three unitary approach for local government reorganization. He noted that this approach is more than moving boundary lines and that it is more fundamental. He discussed Oxford’s position historically and how the city fits into the priorities of Government nationally. Councillor Hollingsworth said that expansion plans for Oxford in the 1920s included similar expansions that are included in the current proposal. He also noted the 1974 changes, which created the two tier system. Councillor Hollingsworth said that this is an opportunity to go back and correct the earlier errors in legislation. He highlighted the opportunities for growth, but also emphasised the need for equality and fairness in this process. Councillor Hollingsworth said that the differences between the three unitary option and the other options were about clear connections with communities and people and that was why this approach was the best one. He added that this was not just a money saving exercise, but also a way to make sure that there is a local government which properly reflects and is close to the things that matter for local people. He finished by saying that he was pleased the Council was supporting the three unitary option.

Councillor Chapman agreed with Councillor Hollingsworth. He said that he had found the narrative in the report compelling, as it discussed the realities of communities on the outskirts of Oxford that look to the city in many meaningful senses. He noted that bigger is not always better for local governance. He discussed the high level of accountability that Oxford’s populace demands and said that a larger authority could run the risk of eroding that accountability. He stated that a smaller authority would be better here. However, he advised that they needed to do more work on efficiency, to provide assurance that they are going to be an efficient and effective authority going forward.

The Chief Executive thanked members for their support. She said that the work done to date on the report had been quick, but it suggested that there are efficiencies to be made in all of the options. She agreed with Councillor Chapman and said they would be doing more work on the efficiency issue. The Chief Executive emphasised that it was important to bear in mind that they do not look at this only in the terms of efficiency. She said that there is an important question about reforming services to drive better outcomes for citizens and that they will need to craft a convincing argument around that issue. The Chief Executive stated that it was also important to think about growth and what benefits would be generated for the local area if they approach this in the right way. She highlighted that they are aware of the work they need to do to serve the future of their economy and benefit their citizens. She said that they will work to connect that to an argument about the financial benefits, and they will build a case on efficiencies more clearly.

Councillor Brown concluded the discussion by saying that this report was only a start to the process, but that they have made a good start and there are good partnerships working across the county. She said that they would continue this work as they undergo this process and noted that the partnership working was crucial for the Council and the process.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.           Note the receipt of the statutory invitation received from the Minister of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government on 5 February 2025;

2.           Agree to the submission to Government of the interim plan as set out in Appendix 1 and the emerging proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) set out in Appendix 2 to 4;

3.           Agree that Oxford City Council’s preferred LGR proposal is for the creation of three new unitary councils covering Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, as set out in Appendix 2;

4.           Agree that, in the event of Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet failing to agree to the joint submission of LGR documents to Government on behalf of all Oxfordshire councils, Oxford City Council will itself submit the three unitary councils proposal to Government.