Joint statement by Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council and Cllr John Cotton, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council.
“We have submitted proposals for a single council for Oxfordshire to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government today.
“Our three councils have listened to the views of residents, businesses and other organisations across Oxfordshire and worked hard to address any concerns in the final bid - and with seventy percent of those surveyed showing support for a single unitary, we know we are on the right track.
“This is a significant moment for us and for the communities of Oxfordshire, who under a new single council will receive better, simpler joined up services, saving taxpayers millions of pounds each year and ensuring good quality services for generations to come.
“We believe local government reorganisation is vital to protect council services as central government funding is reduced, and to secure the investment in infrastructure needed to support sustainable economic growth in Oxfordshire.
“It is expected that the government will make a final decision on our proposal later this year, but work is already underway to ensure all six councils work together effectively on delivering a new council for Oxfordshire in 2019.”
Read the Better Oxfordshire proposal at www.betteroxfordshire.org