Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements from the chair. 

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

To record apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker.

Councillors Sam Casey-Rerhaye and Sam James-Lawrie attended online.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

Councillor David Rouane declared an interest in the Interim Proposals and Preparations for Local Government Reorganisation item, as they were a member of Oxfordshire County Council. However, Councillor Rouane confirmed that they had not predetermined their position and would listen to the debate in full before reaching a decision and casting their vote on the item.

Councillor Robin Bennett declared an interest in the Interim Proposals and Preparations for Local Government Reorganisation item, as they were a member of Oxfordshire County Council. However, Councillor Bennett confirmed that they had not predetermined their position and would listen to the debate in full before reaching a decision and casting their vote on the item.

Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye declared an interest in the Interim Proposals and Preparations for Local Government Reorganisation item, as they were an employee of Oxfordshire County Council. However, Councillor Casey-Rerhaye confirmed that they had not predetermined their position and would listen to the debate in full before reaching a decision and casting their vote on the item.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent. 

There was no urgent business.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on the agenda item for this meeting.

The deadline for registering to speak is 5pm Tuesday 18 March 2025.

There were no speakers registered to address Cabinet.

To consider the Chief Executive’s report.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report, proposing the submission of an interim plan for local government reorganisation in response to the government’s invitation. The interim proposal would see the creation of a new unitary council covering the entire existing area covered by West Berkshire Council and South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, alongside a new ‘northern’ unitary covering the entire existing area of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Councils and Oxford City Council. The paper also highlighted the benefits of a Strategic Authority being created at the same time as unitarisation and asked Oxfordshire County Council to make its views on the most suitable geography for this clear.

The Leader also highlighted the other two interim proposals likely to be submitted by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council. It was considered that the two-unitary Ridgeway council and ‘northern’ Oxfordshire council proposal was the preferred approach, with agreement that the Oxfordshire County Council Oxfordshire-wide unitary proposal was a potentially viable option, but did not accord with South Oxfordshire’s long held view that any unitary council should be developed on the smallest viable footprint.

During discussion, it was noted that the operational details would be the responsibility of a new shadow authority. Cabinet emphasised that the Ridgeway proposal would work within the guidelines set by government and the proposed geographies would have populations cira. 500,000.

It was noted that government had invited the submission of final proposals by 28 November 2025 and that the final decision was vested in the Secretary of State and Parliament, rather than in proposing councils.

Cabinet highlighted the preference for a strategic authority footprint that includes Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and potentially Buckinghamshire. This preference aligns with government guidance to consider other strategic authorities, such as Thames Valley Police and the Integrated Care Board.

Cabinet thanked staff for their work over the past few months to develop the proposal. The impact of reorganisation on everyone involved was recognised and members emphasised the need for certainty.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:  

1. Notes that since the statutory invitation to all councils in two tier areas, significant early work has been undertaken by all Oxfordshire Councils and that South/Vale officers have engaged with officers across Oxfordshire and are also working separately with officers from West Berkshire. 

2. Notes and supports the submission of an interim proposal for a two unitary model based on one new unitary council covering the entire existing boundaries of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and West Berkshire Council, with the working title of “Ridgeway” and a second new unitary covering the entire existing boundaries of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Councils and Oxford City Council. 

3. Notes that at least two other interim proposals will likely be submitted, one proposed by Oxfordshire County Council and one from Oxford City Council.  

4. Notes officers understand that at its meeting on 20 March, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet will consider whether to submit a single overarching ‘interim plan’, including the ‘wrapper’ as Appendix B and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.