I HAVE just completed the online survey on a single Oxfordshire council, and was taken aback by its one-sided nature. 

Do I want simpler local government, better services, more local accountability and lower running costs ? Of course, who doesn't?
But look closely at local accountability. The county highlights more influence for parish and town councils. However most of Oxford doesn't have parish councils, so the city's only engagement will be through an 'area board' with, it seems, limited powers and no budget.

More fundamentally, do Oxford, Henley, Woodstock have the same needs and the same priorities? From their political make-up it appears not. Oxford city is currently run by Labour, and formerly by a LibDem/Green coalition. There are no Conservative city councillors. In comparison the surrounding districts and the county itself are Conservative-dominated, excluding all other parties from most decisions. 

So a better question might be: should Oxford be governed by politicians from surrounding towns and villages, or would you prefer to elect your own? If this plan is bounced through, Oxford will lose its ability to manage its own affairs, and the county will lose its democratic diversity. 

Alarmingly the deadline is very soon, on 28 February, and one person can fill in the survey many times, which doesn't inspire confidence. These are serious matters and deserve professional consultation on all the options, with adequate information and adequate time.

ANN BLACK
Howard Street, Oxford