At the Executive meeting on Monday, 6 January 2025, Councillor David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council, spoke in response to the Government’s recent English Devolution White Paper.
Published: Tuesday, 7th January 2025
Statement from Councillor David Hingley, Leader of Cherwell District Council
The Cherwell Executive welcomes the English Devolution White Paper, which outlines the Government’s ambition “to shift power away from Whitehall into the hands of those who know their communities best.” We believe local government works best when it is close to the people it serves, champions important local issues and gives a democratic voice to the communities it represents.
As the Government progresses with its proposals to reorganise local government for two-tier areas such as Oxfordshire, engaging in open discussions and exploring how local councils can maintain strong connections with their communities will be vital, and this commitment to dialogue is the approach we seek to pursue here. As demonstrated by the work of district councils over the past several decades, the value of local connections cannot be overstated.
At the same time, we recognise the Government’s focus on Mayoral Combined Authorities and the benefits of delivering at scale. Strong regional leadership, supported by a Combined Authority, has the potential to drive long-term vision, create integrated transport systems, and deliver economic benefits that support growth and prosperity across wider areas. These are opportunities that, if delivered effectively with the input of district councils to ensure local voices are heard, can directly benefit Cherwell and Oxfordshire.
While these proposals are still in the early stages, with many details yet to be clarified, it is clear they bring both opportunities and challenges. We are carefully considering what the proposals could mean for our communities, services, and decision-making in our local area and across Oxfordshire. As a modern and forward-thinking council, our goal at Cherwell is to work effectively with our neighbouring councils to shape a future structure that will deliver meaningful benefits to residents.
We firmly believe in the power of local government to create positive change and improve places, lives, and opportunities for the people we serve. As devolution moves forward, local government must continue to act in the best interests of residents and deliver the quality public services they expect. What is crucial now is that we engage swiftly and meaningfully with this process, ensuring we get the future right for our communities in this time of significant change for local authorities.