Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kate Gregory and Dr Nathan Ley.

- guidance note below

There were none.

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. 

To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak or present a petition are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting.  Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that your views are taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

4 Devolution White Paper and Response

Dan Glazebrook

Councillor Susan Brown (Leader -Oxford City Council)

Councillor Alex Powell (Oxford City Council)

Councillor Bethia Thomas (Leader -Vale of White Horse District Council)

Councillor Andy Graham (Leader -West Oxfordshire District Council)

Councillor David Rouane (Leader -South Oxfordshire District Council)

Councillor David Hingley (Leader – Cherwell District Council)

Councillor Ian Middleton

Councillor Bob Johnston

Councillor Liz Brighouse OBE

Councillor Eddie Reeves

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.