Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed non-Executive Councillors to the meeting and asked they indicate if they wished to speak.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised that this was the last Executive meeting to be held at Bodicote House. The next Executive meeting on 7 April would take place in the council’s new offices at Castle Quay.

** Please note this report will follow **

Report of Corporate Director Resources and Transformation

Resolved

(1)          That the receipt of the statutory invitation received from the Minister of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government on 5 February 2025 be noted.

(2)          That the interim plan developed collaboratively by Oxfordshire councils (county, city and districts) as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and the emerging options for local government reorganisation set out in Appendices 2-4 to the report be approved for submission to Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.

(3)          That it be approved that the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution to express support for option two, two unitary councils.

The Corporate Director Resources and Transformation submitted a report to provide an overview of the interim plan and each of the proposal for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire, prior to submission to the Government on 21 March 2025.

In introducing the report, the Chairman advised that there were revised recommendations to those that had been published (revisions in italics):

“The Executive resolves to: 

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

1.2 Approve the interim plan developed collaboratively by Oxfordshire councils (county, city and districts) as set out in Appendix 1 and the emerging options for local government reorganisation set out in Appendices 2-4 for submission to Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.

1.3 Approve that the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution to express support for [preferred option once discussed] .”

The Chairman advised that all Oxfordshire councils (county, city and districts) had coordinated in producing the report and options set out in the appendices. This had included several meetings of Council Leaders and Chief Executives. Each Cabinet / Executive was also meeting today or the following day to agree their response.

With regards to recommendation 1.2, the Chairman explained that he had no issues with the submission of the joint response as an interim report on progress and options for Oxfordshire as it was a reflection on the position at the present time.

With regards to recommendation 1.3 and submission of support for an option, the Chairman explained that he had given much consideration and, given the timescales, had been considering a draft a response in anticipation, subject to the views of Executive. The Chairman advised that he hoped the response could be submit such a letter in coordination with West Oxfordshire District Council, with whom there had been close coordination given the proximity of the districts and that in each model Cherwell and West Oxfordshire would move.

The Chairman explained that, at this point he did not consider a three unitary option was not a desirable option for multiple reasons including it not being built on existing boundaries a feasible option and was not clear of the on the geography it would adopt. The one unitary option was possible, but it was quite large and risked losing the local connection to communities there currently was.

The Chaiman advised that, in his view, a two unitary option was the most credible option for local government reorganisation in the area and highlighted positive consideration, including the size or the proposed authority met the met the Government’s guidelines approach of a population of half a million, greater focus on communities at the local level, a consequent ability to deliver services building on collaborative working to meet the financial challenges ahead and giving the area a greater voice in the new devolution framework helping harness local views and driving sustainable growth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.