Agenda item

Resolved

(1)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be given delegated authority to respond to the County Council consultation for a single county unitary on behalf of the Council and its key stakeholders, following feedback from this meeting.

(2)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council continue to work in collaboration with West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxford City Council to present the opposing case for local government reform in Oxfordshire.

(3)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council continue to work in collaboration with the Leaders of the other five Councils in Oxfordshire to pursue a devolution deal that will facilitate the continuation of economic growth and prosperity of our district and the county as a whole, through devolved powers and additional funding from Government.

(4)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council engages with the Secretary of State/his officials regarding local government reform and/or a devolution deal on behalf of the Council.

(5)          That the provision of up to £150,000 from reserves (as agreed in the budget and policy framework), to be used only if considered necessary by the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader and Lead Member with responsibility for Financial Management to enable the Council to respond to the proposals for a single county unitary and other related activity to protect the interests of Cherwell district residents, or to pursue a devolution deal in whatever form is necessary, be agreed.

(6)          That  following agreement of (5) above, the Executive be kept informed of actual spend against this emergency fund to enable monitoring, the effective management of risk and ensure transparency.

The Chairman advised that he had agreed to add one urgent item of business to the agenda: Update on proposals for local government reform in Oxfordshire and the development of a county wide devolution deal with Government. The matter had arisen arose after agenda publication and a decision could not wait until the next meeting.

The Head of Transformation submitted a report which provided an update on the potential reform of local government within Oxfordshire; sought  agreement for the urgent funding of communications, engagement and other related activity to protect the interests of Cherwell district residents, business and other key stakeholders arising from the possibility of local government reform; sought agreement for the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Leader, to respond to the County Council consultation in respect of its One Oxfordshire proposal on behalf of the council; sought authority for the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader to engage with the Secretary of State regarding local government reform and/or a devolution deal with Government on behalf of the council; and, sought agreement for the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader to work collaboratively with the other councils across Oxfordshire in pursuit of a county wide devolution deal with Government.

Resolved

(1)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be given delegated authority to respond to the County Council consultation for a single county unitary on behalf of the Council and its key stakeholders, following feedback from this meeting.

(2)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council continue to work in collaboration with West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxford City Council to present the opposing case for local government reform in Oxfordshire.

(3)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council continue to work in collaboration with the Leaders of the other five Councils in Oxfordshire to pursue a devolution deal that will facilitate the continuation of economic growth and prosperity of our district and the county as a whole, through devolved powers and additional funding from Government.

(4)          That the Joint Chief Executive or the acting Head of Paid Service with the Leader of the Council engages with the Secretary of State/his officials regarding local government reform and/or a devolution deal on behalf of the Council.

(5)          That the provision of up to £150,000 from reserves (as agreed in the budget and policy framework), to be used only if considered necessary by the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader and Lead Member with responsibility for Financial Management to enable the Council to respond to the proposals for a single county unitary and other related activity to protect the interests of Cherwell district residents, or to pursue a devolution deal in whatever form is necessary, be agreed.

(6)          That following agreement of (5) above, the Executive be kept informed of actual spend against this emergency fund to enable monitoring, the effective management of risk and ensure transparency.

Reasons

Whatever the future operating model of local government within Oxfordshire, it is necessary to allocate resources to enable that work to be overseen and for the Council to be responsive to both challenge and change. The recommendations within this report enable the release of resources for that purpose, and to ensure that we continue to deliver business as usual whilst options are discussed further.

Alternative options

To accept the proposal of the County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council for the creation of a single county unitary council.

This is rejected for many reasons, including but not limited to:

·         The disruption to services and time it would take to implement a single county unitary

·         The costs involved

·         The serious dilution of the strength of a local voice and a local councillor who knows their community, and is able to be an advocate for the best interests of their community

·         The impact upon our workforce

·         The impact upon the existing and future joint working with South Northamptonshire Council

·         The loss of the opportunity to secure a devolution deal and additional funding from Government