Agenda and minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Carolyne Culver declared an interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that she was a member of Unison and staffing matters would be discussed at this meeting. However, she reported that as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and any votes.

The English Devolution White Paper published on the 16 December 2024, outlined the government’s plans to reset the relationship with local and regional government. The government stated that rebuilding and reforming local government would be the foundation of devolution, with a focus on getting the basics right.

On the 5 February, the government wrote to the Leaders of all two-tier councils (the five district councils and the county council) in Oxfordshire. This was a formal invitation to those Leaders to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation and to provide guidance on the development of proposals. The government invited the submission of Interim Plans by 21 March 2025, followed by Full Proposals by 28 November 2025.

On the 10 February, West Berkshire Council received a formal request on behalf of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils to consider the option of a new unitary council covering the three areas. That resulted in the development of an Interim Proposal, that was approved by West Berkshire Council’s Executive at a meeting on 19 March 2025.

The government invited the submission of full proposals by the 28 November, and this report proposes the approval by Executive of the Full Proposal, produced at Appendix A, for submission to Government.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 3) which outlined the full proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

Councillor Justin Pemberton introduced the item:

·       The English Devolution White Paper, published on the 16 December 2024, outlined the government’s plans to reset the relationship with local and regional government. Rebuilding and reforming local government would be the foundation of devolution, with a focus on getting the basics right.

·       On 5 February 2025, the government wrote to the Leaders of all two-tier councils (including the district and county councils in Oxfordshire). This was a formal invitation to develop a proposal for LGR and provided associated guidance. Submission of interim plans had to be submitted by 21 March 2025, with full proposals by 28 November 2025.

·       On 10 February 2025, West Berkshire Council received a formal request from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils to consider the option of a new unitary council covering the three areas. An interim proposal for Ridgeway Council was approved by West Berkshire Council’s Executive at its meeting on 19 March 2025.

·       A second new unitary authority was proposed for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Councils and Oxford City Council, with the working title of ‘Oxford and Shires’.

·       This report proposed the approval by Executive of the full proposal for submission to Government.

·       Financial implications from LGR had been considered, with consultants employed by the five local authorities promoting this proposal. This provided guidance on costs and when it would be possible to offset them, based on a financial model. Potential savings were outlined in the report, which would arise from transition and transformation activity.

·       Consultation and engagement had been conducted from the outset on this proposal and had been extensive. Feedback had been received from parish councils, businesses and over 2,000 residents. The responses showed strong support for the Ridgeway proposal.

·       The report had already been considered by Full Council where proposals were endorsed. It would next proceed to the Executive for sign-off, but the final decision rested with central government. It was hoped that decisions would be announced by the summer of 2026. Subject to that decision, shadow elections would be held for Ridgeway Council in May 2027. These Members would oversee work on arrangements for the new local authority, which would go live on 1 April 2028.

·       The Ridgeway Council proposal was in line with the government’s criteria which required local authorities to be the right size to be financially stable, while still being able to meet local needs. Further, it was felt that West Berkshire shared many commonalities with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and it was believed that the proposal would be a strong one for the government to consider.

·       Competing proposals were expected to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.

(Councillor Howard Woollaston joined the meeting at 6.48pm).

A lengthy question and answer session followed, summarised as follows:

·       Concern was raised regarding Reading Borough Council’s (RBC’s)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.