Combatants Lining Up For Unitary Council Battle

FOLLOWING Oxford City Council’s recently stated wish to achieve unitary status, the leader of Oxfordshire Council has called for closer co-operation between the district councils, whilst rejecting the idea of unitary councils “in any form.”
Keith Mitchell, OCC’s Cabinet Leader, said today:
“Oxford City Council recently indicated its enthusiasm to achieve unitary status after the Government said it was willing to listen to bids when it published its White Paper on local government in the autumn.
“The city council said it wanted to see three unitary councils created in Oxfordshire, one in the north, one in the south and one in the city.
“However Oxford City Council has been told by the Audit Commission that it is a ‘weak’ council that ‘does not provide value for money’. Oxfordshire County Council is rated as a ‘good’ authority. It has recently been given improved ratings by the Audit Commission for the use of resources and financial management and transport. Positive assessments have also been received in children’s services, adult social care and Transport.”
He added:”There has been no indication of improvement at the city council for some time. It is a weak council. Schools, social care, libraries, transport systems and a host of other services would be handed to them if a unitary council was created.
“If the issue were to be considered on financial grounds alone then there would be a strong case for a unitary county council. However,there are other reasons why there is not a good case for this. Short-term disruption and loss of democratic access and accountability are chief among them.
“In the longer term, considerable financial savings can be secured by improved two-tier working.”

Councillor Mitchell’s suggestions include:

The joining up of back office functions across the county and possibly extending to other public bodies.
The creation of one stop shops and seamless advice and service for the public including the development of single phone numbers for all public services in Oxfordshire.
Rationalisation of services that all councils provide such as economic development, waste management, museums, youth services, arts and culture.

Councillor Mitchell added: “There will be a lot of politicking in the next few months as the unitary debate continues. However, in the end we are here to provide high quality services. Independent inspections prove that Oxfordshire County Council already does so. Whatever arrangement is decided upon for the future of local government in Oxfordshire, high quality services must continue to be delivered.”