Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/375

Contact: Helen Mitchell, Head of Public Affairs and Strategy, helen.mitchell@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Chief Executive (CA4).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

1.     Note the publication of the Devolution White Paper and the emerging impacts for Oxfordshire County Council and local government in Oxfordshire;

2.     Agree the response to Government for issue by 10 January 2025 (as set out in Appendix 1);

3.     Request that Government places Oxfordshire into a ‘fast track’ programme to progress local government reorganisation ambitions first and continue to work with partners on a future Mayoral Strategic Authority;

4.     Express to Government the County Council’s significant concerns in postponing ordinary elections in 2025, but that it would accept a postponement if it can commit to the most ambitious timescale of elections to a new shadow Council/Councils in May 2026. 

Recommendations approved.

This decision is not subject to Scrutiny call-in.