Reject the Oxford City Council proposal for a Greater Oxford Unitary Authority

Background

Choose one of the other two proposals for Oxfordshire, which meet Minister’s criteria, and adopt it. Greater Oxford plans to annex 48 rural parishes, cut up districts and parishes, with a population <50% of a sensible economic area for growth and value for money. It is deeply unpopular.

Additional details

The city has little synergy with the 48 rural parishes it wants to annex, creating undue advantage for the urban area. It does not represent value for money. Oxford City's plan based purely on growth in the City is unrealistic, unsustainable and does not solve the access problem for commuters into Oxford. The other two proposals are much better aligned with Government aims. They would bring a far more holistic approach to bringing in growth, efficiencies and opportunities to the whole area.