Brian Dinsdale, interim chief executive of Oxford City Council, is right about embracing unitary status with open arms (Oxford Mail, February 3).

Three totally new, all-in-one unitary councils for Oxfordshire will save money, improve services and be closer to the public.

The new Oxford City, North Oxfordshire and South Oxfordshire would replace all the existing six local authorities.

Local people, parishes and neighbourhoods would have a much bigger say with their own unitary council.

Across Oxfordshire, it will be local residents deciding exactly how to spend money on local schools, on caring for elderly people and on public transport.

There would be an end to duplication and buck-passing.

Where it makes sense, the three new unitaries would do things in partnership - back-office computer systems, the schools' music service, fire and rescue, and waste collection and disposal are likely examples.

As Mr Dinsdale says, after the initial start-up costs, the hard-pressed council taxpayer will save £7m every year.

The nightmare of an over-large, undemocratic county riding roughshod over Oxfordshire residents will be over.

I hope readers will tell the Government what they think about unitary councils.

They can write to Ruth Kelly MP, Local Government Secretary, Eland House, Bressendon Place, London SW1 5DU or email contactus@communities.gsi.gov JOHN TANNER (Councillor) Littlemore ward Oxford City Council