The UK Government has paused the planned local government re-organisation and is now reviewing all the proposals. This may impact our area; the ‘3 Councils’ proposal that had been previously chosen may not be our future of local governance.
Decisions had been made prior to Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister (see our news story here). These proposals then faced legal challenges from councils in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
It has now been confirmed that all proposals will be reviewed, including the previously-confirmed option for our area,
3 Councils. Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner said in Parliament:
"In light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister and any additional considerations."
In contrast, Cllr Tim Bearder, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, welcomed the decision; “It provides an opportunity to review the underpinning advice, considerations and evidence that informed the secretary of state’s decision, which I have already written to MHCLG to ask to see.” The full statement can be found here: Local government reorganisation update