A new council for a Better Oxfordshire
Proposals for better local government for Oxfordshire have been formally supported by a unanimous vote at the Vale of White Horse District Council – offering real power and influence to every local community in the county.
The joint proposal: ‘A new council for a Better Oxfordshire’, makes the case for abolishing the existing two-tier structure of six councils - replacing them with one single council for Oxfordshire.
The detailed plans by Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils and Oxfordshire County Council, are the result of joint working on a revised proposal, following engagement with thousands of residents and community groups across the county – who support a new council, providing it is more local and offers better joined up services.
Seventy per cent of Oxfordshire residents agree with the draft proposal to abolish all six councils and replace them with one unitary council for the whole of Oxfordshire. This result is based on an independent representative household survey commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council.
With the local communities of Oxfordshire at its heart – the Better Oxfordshire proposal sets out how parish and town councils will play a bigger role under a new single council.
Once established, the council will set up between 15 and 20 local area boards covering market towns and surrounding areas across Oxfordshire – giving communities a strong voice and ensuring local matters are heard. They will have significant budgets and the ability to make important local decisions such as prioritising investment in local transport and tackling anti-social
behaviour.
There will be fewer councillors, with each unitary councillor representing their community as a local area board member and as a councillor for the new council, giving them a much greater say in their services than under the current two-tier system.
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council said:
“The Better Oxfordshire proposal will ensure Oxfordshire continues to be a great place to live, work and bring up a family. Importantly it will join up important services such as housing, social care and homelessness, enabling the new council to prioritise people’s needs and plan effectively.
We are working jointly with South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council to ensure local communities play a big role with the new council.
A single council for Oxfordshire will be simpler, more local and will deliver better services at a lower cost. We have ensured that these revised proposals provide for more local area boards, so that communities across Oxfordshire can have their say on important local issues, from setting car parking charges and tackling anti-social behaviour.”
The survey results show that overall 70% of people surveyed agreed with abolishing the six councils and setting up a unitary council, and 20% disagreed. The majority agreed with abolishing the six councils and setting up a unitary council in all district and city council areas, including those districts which are actively campaigning who disagreed:
· 78% in West Oxfordshire
· 75% in South Oxfordshire
· 69% in Oxford
· 67% in Vale of White Horse
· 63% in Cherwell.
You can read the full proposal: A new council for a Better Oxfordshire at: www.betteroxfordshire.org
Residents invited to comment on Vale of White Horse Local Plan Part Two
Residents living in the Vale of White Horse district will have a chance to influence how decisions are made on local planning applications, as the district council consults on part two of its local plan.
The council adopted part one of its local plan in December last year – this explained where the main housing sites in the district could be built and identified the infrastructure that the district will need to support them.
Part two of the plan includes the detailed policies the council will use when making day to day decisions on planning applications.
It will also explain how it proposes to accommodate 2,200 homes for Oxford that they have agreed to plan for within the Vale.
Residents can read the draft version of the Local Plan 2031 Part Two and find out how to make comments at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/LPP2. Paper copies are available at libraries and council offices. The consultation is open for comments until 5pm on 4 May.
The Vale is holding a range of public events for residents to find out more about the plan and ask the council’s planning policy officers any questions they have. If you would like to take part in a public meeting please email planning.policy@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or call our Customer Service Team on 01235 422600 (there is no need to book exhibitions).
Drop-in Exhibition
Saturday 11 March
10am-2pm
Jubilee Room, Pump House, Faringdon
Drop-in Exhibition
Tuesday 14 March
1-6pm
Main hall, Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre
Public Meeting
Tuesday 14 March
7-8.30pm
Arrival time – 6.30pm
Main hall, Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre
Drop-in Exhibition
Wednesday 15 March
11am-2pm
Cricket Pavillion
Harwell Campus
Drop-in Exhibition and Public Meeting
Monday 20 March
Exhibition
5.30-7.30pm
Public Meeting 6-7.30pm
Arrival time 5.30pm
Public Health England Building, Harwell Campus
Drop-in Exhibition
Saturday 18 March
10am-2pm
St Helen’s Church Centre, Abingdon
Drop-in Exhibition
Tuesday 21 March
1-6.30pm
Large Hall, Southmoor Village Hall, Kingston Bagpuize
Drop-in Exhibition
Saturday 25 March
10am-2pm
The Barn, Vale and Downland Museum, Wantage
Drop-in Exhibition
(joint event with South Oxfordshire District Council)
Wednesday 5 April
1-7pm
Cornerstone, Didcot
My 10k Monster Race
I’m running a 10k obstacle race to raise funds for for SpecialEffect because of the fantastic work they do to improve lives.
In 2016 I ran the 5k Monster Race for Special Effect. Now I am challenging myself to two laps! 10 kilometres (that’s just over 6 miles in old money) through mud, icy water and over obstacles that seem to get higher the more exhausted you are.
Thank you again to those who supported me last time and I hope you will sponsor me for the 2017 Monster Race by clicking www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthews10kmonster.