A DISTRICT council has invited residents to have their say on proposals for a single unitary authority in Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council claims doing so could save £20m a year by scrapping the six biggest local authorities and replacing them with one organisation.

But West Oxfordshire District Council has warned that the shake-up could see taxes rise and services decline.

Leader of WODC James Mills said: “Our residents appreciate the fact that we have the lowest council tax in Oxfordshire and offer services such as free parking which are of huge benefit to everyone.

“The county’s proposals will involve creating a whole new council which would take at least two years. Meanwhile, our roads become ever more potholed, social care shrinks still further and rural bus services continue to disappear.”

Mr Mills is in favour of the creation of a combined authority with a directly elected mayor.

He continued: “Rather than spending huge amounts of taxpayers’ money on the new council which will undoubtedly increase council tax, we would be able to keep the efficient services and great benefits residents already enjoy as well as delivering the housing and infrastructure that is needed in the short-term.”

County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “I am a resident of West Oxfordshire and wish to pay as little council tax as possible.

“And I appreciate the benefit of free parking. These are the sorts of policies I would like to see a new authority have.

To take part in WODC’s consultation go to westoxon.gov.uk/at-risk