THE loss of the Halfords Tour Series after one year is a blow to the city’s reputation for holding varied events, but not a fatal one.
But it is more troubling when you look at why a move for the city to host the tour for a second year was seemingly strangled at birth.
Oxford City Council’s statement is illuminating in saying that “all stakeholders” needed to be engaged with the event for it to happen.
The Oxford Mail’s understanding is that Oxford University and/or individual colleges were unhappy it would be held in May – during exams.
The colleges, university and students are a major element of this city.
But we struggle to understand why they are deemed “stakeholders” who, if we may interpret the council’s statement, have effectively a power of veto over an event like the Tour.
Certainly they should be consulted, but why should they have such sway over an event on public roads?
This is a glimpse into the growth of “stakeholder” groups in this country where many of our public bodies now meet to ensure everyone is ‘on message’ over issues before those pesky members of the public get involved.
This is about more than just a few bikes whizzing around St Giles.
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