FIVE council leaders have come up with a ground-breaking plan that could revolutionise public services in Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas and save £ millions.
The plan would see the abolition of Oxfordshire County Council, transferring its functions to four new Local Unitary Councils working together in partnership with the National Health Service, Police and the Local Enterprise Partnerships. Oxfordshire District Council leaders are asking the government to agree to the proposal which it believes would bring in significant investment in roads, schools and public transport.
The new proposals would mean joint working with the National Health Service to pool budgets and to commission health and adult social care in a way that the councils concerned believe would improve service quality and deal more effectively with increasing demand on these services.
‘Fantastic opportunity for Oxfordshire’
Speaking on behalf of all of the Districts, Cllr Matthew Barber said: “This devolution deal is a fantastic opportunity for Oxfordshire and we believe we should do everything possible to secure much needed investment for the benefit of residents, businesses and communities.
The Oxfordshire District Leaders have agreed to explore a Unitary Option that would include both Cotswold District Council and South Northamptonshire Council. They will now commission independent experts to work with them and other stakeholders in producing detailed, costed plans for the preferred option. These will be tested against other appropriate options that will ensure the best and most cost-effective solutions are identified. Detailed proposals will be considered by each of the Councils prior to public consultation in the summer.
The preferred option – four local unitaries :
A new Southern Oxfordshire Unitary Authority would cover the area currently administered by Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils
An Oxford City Unitary Authority would be formed in the centre of the county, covering the area currently administered by Oxford City Council
A West Oxfordshire-Cotswold Unitary Authority covering the area currently administered by West Oxfordshire District Council and Cotswold District Council
A Cherwell-South Northants Unitary Authority covering the area currently administered by Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council.
Oxfordshire County council calls for public debate
Oxfordshire County Council has stated that it believes all options should be considered by the public to agree what is best for Oxfordshire people and Oxfordshire public services. Councillor Rodney Rose, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Oxfordshire is a historic county that is so much more than the sum of its parts. From a personal perspective, I would regret anything that saw that identity and heritage disappear. That said, our main focus must be on the best way to serve the people of Oxfordshire – whatever the council logo on their wheelie bins.
“At this time of diminished resources in local government, we need to make sure every single penny counts so that we can best protect services for the people of Oxfordshire – particularly vulnerable children and adults who depend on social services. Before any deal is done, we need to know the cost to the council taxpayers of Oxfordshire.
“We welcome the opportunity to join this debate about the future of public services in Oxfordshire, and invite the partners in these proposals to explain in detail how the proposals provide better, safer services and for less money.
“The county council says that the options that should be considered for local government restructuring in Oxfordshire include:
• one council providing all local authority services for all the people of Oxfordshire
• two or three councils providing all local authority services for all the people of Oxfordshire
• four councils providing all local authority services for residents of Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire
and Oxfordshire
“We need to fully understand the implications for the people of Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire if social care is ‘lifted and shifted’ into the new combined authority, as the proposal suggests. No doubt the people of Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire will also want to understand the implications of shifting their transport responsibilities into this new combined authority.”
Today Councillor Rose invited the leaders of the district councils and CCG to lay out the full details of their proposals so that the public can fully understand the implications on services. These would include:
• plans for safeguarding children
• the future of the fire and rescue service for Oxfordshire
• joining up health services and adult social care in Oxfordshire
• planning the infrastructure required for expected growth of homes and jobs in the county.
What’s the best option for Oxfordshire?
In considering the best option for Oxfordshire, the county council has suggested that the tests for the best format for local government should focus on:
• Local, democratic accountability
• Efficiency and cost-effectiveness
• Safeguarding vulnerable children and adults
• Stewardship of the county as a vitally important economic area for Oxfordshire and England
• Partnership working with other public services including policing, health and education
Cllr Rose added: “The district councils’ proposal would mean the creation of four key council services where there is currently one relating to children and adult social services, and also for planning and delivering improvement to Oxfordshire’s transport network.
“Last year we published an independent report that showed there were greater savings from a single council for Oxfordshire than three, smaller unitary councils. We think there is a strong argument for reducing duplication of council functions, not increasing them. For instance the NHS locally would need to deal with four organisations not one when it comes to joining up health and adult social care services, as required by government policy.
“We look forward to proposals for future structures being compared and contrasted. However the ultimate test has to be which system is the most effective way to deliver, good, safe services for people of Oxfordshire.”
