Here is a brief report on matters County Council related:
Consultations
There are consultations open on the A40 Eynsham to Wolvercote scheme and on the 24/25 budget. Details on these consulations can be found here: Let's Talk Oxfordshire
Budget
The budget numbers are based on a set of assumptions preceding the Government settlement, which we expect this week. That will give (almost) the final bits of data which are required to finalise the budget, which has to be passed by the County Council on 11 February 2025.
The draft budget includes allocation for, among many other things, the restoration of annual gulley cleaning, which was replaced by four-yearly cleans for most roads in February 2021.
Local Government reorganisation
The White Paper on Local Government reorganisation and devolution was published today (Monday 16 December). You can view it here: ??English Devolution White Paper?: Power and partnership: Foundations for growth - GOV.UK
As expected, it contains an obligation for there to be combined “strategic” authorities for certain functions, like economic strategy and public transport, with a strong preference for a mayor at the head. There will be a mandatory replacement of our current two-layer system of county and district councils with new unitary arrangements. Among other things, planning responsibilities will change, and the “strategic authority” will have the ability to pull in planning applications.
There is some discussion of the role of “communities” but not much of an emphasis on parish or town councils.
And there are mixed messages about whether there will be elections in May or not.
Watch this space!
Playing fields
I met with the property team at Corpus Christi College last week and took the opportunity to ask about the review of public footpaths on the playing field they own off Oxford Road and which is leased to the Parish Council. I was assured that the intention was just to “tidy up” some paperwork so that they had a full understanding of the position of all their property portfolio.
As ever, I can be contacted via dan.levy@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
And finally, may I wish all the residents of Eynsham a Merry Christmas and a successful 2025.