Banbury area councillors in 'disbelief' at pause in council reorganisation
Cherwell District Council’s leader expressed 'disbelief' at yesterday’s announcement that the merger of CDC and West Oxfordshire would not go ahead as planned.
Cllr Lesley McLean said the news had come as a complete surprise. The Banbury Guardian reported on the issue following the announcement in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday) – see here.
The government announced it was pausing the local government review following legal advice. Accusations that the pause had been advised because of accusations of ‘gerrymandering’ – decision-making to benefit Labour – were firmly denied by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MGCLG).
The shelving of the reorganision will have implications on the future of councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
Mrs McLean said: "We were genuinely taken aback to receive an email from a BBC journalist at 1.20pm today (Monday) asking for a reaction to reports that the Government is pausing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
"Our initial reaction was one of disbelief because our councils had not received any direct communication from Government.
"While we welcome the decision to pause and review the programme, councils now need urgent clarity about the timetable for Local Government Reorganisation and the next steps for our area.
"You cannot ask councils to invest tens of thousands of hours and tens of thousands of taxpayers' pounds preparing for reorganisation and then hit pause without explanation and clarity on the future of Local Government Reorganisation.
"We need clarity, direct communication and detailed information as quickly as possible."
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We’re disappointed to have received this information at such short notice without prior communication and we are currently discussing the potential implications of the government’s announcement.
“Considerable work has taken place already to prepare our communities for LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire in compliance with the government’s announcement in July and we hope this work will not go to waste.
"We will be seeking further clarity from the government and how this will affect the LGR timeline. As a result of this announcement we expect local elections will now take place next year for West Oxfordshire District Council.
"Our priority during the review will be to carry on acting in the best interest of residents, communities and businesses by making sure we continue to provide high-quality services that are protected during transition and that we invest in the future.
"We in local government are committed to protecting and preserving our communities. By pausing local government reorganisation, we hope the government will use the review they have announced to fully engage councils and communities in determining and reshaping the best fit for our area."
The Government rejected claims made in The Times that the decision to pause the LGR was because of ‘gerrymandering’. The Times said the then Secretary of State, Steve Reed, ignored advisors’ concerns and chose boundaries preferred by Labour MPs.
“This is simply not true,” said the MHCLG. “These decisions are being made in line with the published criteria – not on a party political basis.
“We completely reject these allegations. Decisions on local government reorganisation will be made transparently and in line with the published criteria – not on a party political basis.”