Today (23 September), Inner Circle Consulting has published The Case for Cities report, developed with eleven UK cities, including Oxford, that highlights the importance of enabling UK cities to help the national government meet its growth mission - through local government reorganisation.
The report highlights how outdated boundaries and governance models are holding back cities’ ability to contribute fully to national growth, innovation, and public service delivery. It argues that all cities should be given the agency, appropriate governance and voice to be able to fully respond to growing needs across the UK.
Oxford City Council is proud to be part of this coalition and strongly supports the report’s recommendations.
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:
“Cities like Oxford have proven time and time again that we have the ideas and skills to drive local and national economic growth. However, we are so often constrained by outdated local government structures and geography. Oxford is not alone in this. The UK is home to many high-performing small cities that contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and cultural landscape. It is essential that our cities have a voice and are granted the autonomy we need to really succeed for UK plc. Local Government Reorganisation presents a once in a generation opportunity for us to be heard and to shape the future success of the UK, while also addressing the modern needs of our cities and public services.”
The government has asked councils across England for proposals on simplifying the structure of local government in their regions.
There are three proposals being developed for how local government in Oxfordshire should be reorganised, which would see the county’s six councils abolished and replaced with either:
Three councils:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its Green Belt
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
- Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with existing West Berkshire unitary (based on the proposals being developed by those councils, but with those villages within the Green Belt closest to the city becoming part of Greater Oxford)
Two councils:
- Oxford and Shires Council – covering all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire
- Ridgeway Council – covering all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, and the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area
One council:
- Covering Oxfordshire County Council’s current boundaries
Each of the new councils would be responsible for all council services in their area, including those currently provided by district/city and county councils.
Oxford City Council has proposed the three councils model.
The Case for Cities report is available to read and download from the website.
Rate this page
