Motion by Councillor Eddie Reeves
“This Council notes that public services – locally and nationally – have been impacted immensely by the pandemic.
This Council acknowledges that the Government has spent more public money than any in the nation’s history to secure the livelihoods of hard-working people, and the futures of the public, private and voluntary sector organisations who employ them. Without prejudice to any outcome, this Council recognises that local government reform may be considered again in due course. In Oxfordshire, members can either work together to shape that reform or have it imposed from Whitehall.
This Council notes that analyses have been commissioned from EY (2016), PwC (2017) and Grant Thornton (2016-7) by local authorities across Oxfordshire in addition to options appraisals conducted by Councils themselves.
This Council further notes that a Government White Paper on devolution is expected imminently, pursuant to which more power and control of public finances may be tied to reform.
This Council restates its aim for Oxfordshire to be a beacon of local government excellence irrespective of its political leadership and notes that members have historically worked well together in the interests of residents.
Accordingly, this Council resolves to ask the Cabinet set up a Cabinet Advisory Group to review the evidence of recent years and, without prejudice to its findings, put forward a preferred view to the Leader should local government reform be mandated by Government, or the new administration wish to secure further powers and public money from Government that are contingent on reform.”
Decision:
The Motion was lost by 34 votes to 20, with 1 abstention.
Minutes:
Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Jane Murphy seconded the following Motion:
“This Council notes that public services – locally and nationally – have been impacted immensely by the pandemic.
This Council acknowledges that the Government has spent more public money than any in the nation’s history to secure the livelihoods of hard-working people, and the futures of the public, private and voluntary sector organisations who employ them. Without prejudice to any outcome, this Council recognises that local government reform may be considered again in due course. In Oxfordshire, members can either work together to shape that reform or have it imposed from Whitehall.
This Council notes that analyses have been commissioned from EY (2016), PwC (2017) and Grant Thornton (2016-7) by local authorities across Oxfordshire in addition to options appraisals conducted by Councils themselves.
This Council further notes that a Government White Paper on devolution is expected imminently, pursuant to which more power and control of public finances may be tied to reform.
This Council restates its aim for Oxfordshire to be a beacon of local government excellence irrespective of its political leadership and notes that members have historically worked well together in the interests of residents.
Accordingly, this Council resolves to ask the Cabinet set up a Cabinet Advisory Group to review the evidence of recent years and, without prejudice to its findings, put forward a preferred view to the Leader should local government reform be mandated by Government, or the new administration wish to secure further powers and public money from Government that are contingent on reform.”
Following debate, the Motion was put to the vote and was lost by 34 votes to 20, with 1 abstention.
RESOVED: The Motion was lost by 34 votes to 20, with 1 abstention.