LOW TAXES and free parking could be policies of a new ‘super council’, Ian Hudspeth has claimed.

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council called on James Mills, his counterpart at West Oxfordshire District Council, to ‘work together’ with other local authorities on the plans for a merger.

Mr Mills claimed that replacing the six biggest councils with a single organisation would mean people living in West Oxfordshire – who pay the least council tax in the county – would end up paying more if rates became uniform.

But Mr 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.

“I am sure that residents in Oxford, Cherwell, South and Vale would like to pay as little tax as we do in West Oxfordshire. That would always be my aim.”

The senior Tories are at loggerheads over the super council proposals, with Mr Mills saying there was ‘no way’ the district council would support them.