A BID to create a ‘super council’ in Oxfordshire is gaining support after U-turns by the bosses of two previously opposed local authorities.

Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, and John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, are both now in talks with Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth about the proposal, the Oxford Mail has learned.

The idea could save £20m a year but would involve scrapping the six biggest councils and replacing them with a single, 'unitary authority'.

Under the change, up to 180 councillors and 400 staff could lose their jobs.

Mr Barber and Mr Cotton have previously opposed the idea but are now understood to be actively discussing how it could be done.

A source familiar with the discussions told the Oxford Mail: “There is a bit of a reconciliation going on.

Oxford Mail:

  • A single council would merge all of Oxfordshire's biggest authorities

"There is still some disagreement, but they are definitely closer than they were a week ago.”

The source added ‘intense discussions’ were taking place about how a joint bid for a single council might be presented to government ministers.

So far it is understood the three council leaders, with backup from senior officials, have drafted ‘heads of terms’ setting out how a new super council could be set up. This has not been published, or considered at meetings of their respective authorities.

The source stressed talks were at a very early stage, adding: "It is about what happens in the run-up to the new authority being created.”

Areas of discussion are focused on what would happen in the transition between the current six councils and any new council, which would start off as a 'shadow authority'.

Oxford Mail:

  • County council leader Ian Hudspeth

Mr Barber and Mr Cotton's change of position potentially clears the way for an agreement to be reached, following a long-running row about the issue.

Other authorities are still against it, however, including Oxford City Council, West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council.

The Government has previously said it will not impose reforms unless there is broad agreement among local authorities.  

A spokeswoman for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils said: "We are currently reviewing and talking with the county council about the draft discussion document to ensure our views about a single unitary authority and the needs of local residents are reflected."

It comes after the local authority leaders penned opinion pieces for the Oxford Mail, hinting at a change of heart. In them, they wrote there was 'much to be welcomed' in the super council proposals and they included 'promising signs'. 

A county council spokesman said today: “We welcome Cllr Barber and Cllr Cotton’s comments about the need for a fresh start for local government in Oxfordshire.

"They are absolutely right that we must find a way to balance local decision-making with the economies of scale needed to protect council services.

"We know from talking to residents about the One Oxfordshire proposal that local accountability is a key issue.

"It is essential for there to be a real debate about how we jointly provide services to the people of Oxfordshire and would want to explore these ideas further.

"This is a golden opportunity for us all to work together for the benefit of the residents that we all serve.”

Mr Hudspeth could not be reached for comment.