20.05.16
Oxfordshire district councils rule out cross-border option
Cross-boundary unitary proposals between Oxfordshire, Cotswold and South Northamptonshire district councils have been abandoned following a consultation.
Oxfordshire district councils announced that the PwC consultation into options for replacing Oxfordshire County Council with unitary authorities had found that a cross-boundary model would be “too complicated” and cause “lengthy delays” to the devolution process.
Oxfordshire County Council has appointed Grant Thornton UK LLP to carry out a separate review into all local government options.
Councillor Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Eliminating cross-boundary options now enables PwC’s independent study to focus solely on Oxfordshire’s residents and engaging with stakeholders in the county.
“Oxfordshire deserves a model of government that will give power to local people, not a one-size-fits-all model for all of Oxfordshire that will deprive people of the power to shape their local area.”
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