Latest news with #RidgewayCouncil
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils' HQ approved
A new headquarters for two councils has been formally approved, more than 10 years after their last permanent base was destroyed by Oxfordshire District Council's (SODC) planning committee approved building the four-storey complex opposite Didcot Parkway train station on and Vale of White Horse District Council, which share staff, will use the building, having been based at Milton Park and Abbey House in Abingdon for the last had been based in Crowmarsh Gifford but that building was gutted in January 2015. The application for the new building was first submitted in August 2023 with the aim of being decided by May a number of amendments were made to the plans, which were submitted last November, in April and in June. SODC planning officers supported giving the new HQ planning permission. The authority received 45 objections from members of the public and three supporting comments. SODC and Vale Councils want to merge with West Berkshire Council to form Ridgeway Council, named after the ancient footpath that cuts through their any plans for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire must be confirmed by the government. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
South Oxfordshire and Vale councils' new HQ set for approval
Long-standing plans for two councils' new headquarters are set to be approved next week after facing various Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) wants to build the new four-storey complex opposite Didcot Parkway train station after its last permanent base, in Crowmarsh Gifford, was destroyed by fire in and Vale of White Horse District Council, which share staff, would use the building, having been based in Milton Park and Abbey House in Abingdon for the last councillors look set to approve the project at a meeting on Wednesday. The application was first submitted in August 2023 with the aim of being decided by May 2024. But a number of amendments were made to the plans, which were submitted last November, in April and this planning officers have said the HQ, which would accommodate 305 staff, should be authority received 45 objections from members of the public and three supporting comments. SODC and Vale Council want to merge with West Berkshire Council to form Ridgeway Council as part of for local government government will have the final say on how councils are organised in Oxfordshire. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devolution: Oxfordshire County Council to put plans to government
A plan for devolution in Oxfordshire is set to be submitted to county council's cabinet is meeting later to agree on is expected to say that a new mayor for the region should cover Berkshire, Oxfordshire and are also set to make the case for one unitary council for the whole of Oxfordshire - which it has said could save taxpayers £27m a year. The government announced in December 2024 proposals to abolish district councils and introduce large mayoral combined authorities in England. The changes will be the most significant reforms to local government since areas have been "fast-tracked" - meaning they will not have planned elections this May and will instead push on with reorganisation and devolution. Oxfordshire was not successful in its bid to be included in the fast track scheme -but has been told by government to prepare plans for reorganisation, with changes set to be in put in place in 2028. 'A single front door' If agreed later, Oxfordshire County Council will tell government that it's "preferred geography" for a new mayoral authority will include Berkshire, Oxfordshire and a directly-elected regional mayor, there will be one or more unitary authorities covering Oxfordshire. The council's report sets out options for one, two or three councils covering the county - with the latter two options also including West Berkshire in a "Ridgeway Council".Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet is expected to back the idea of a single council for the authority's report, Liberal Democrat leader Liz Leffman said: "This Council would create a single front door for all local authority services across the historic and recognised county of Oxfordshire, delivering high-quality, value-for-money and responsive services to residents, businesses, institutions, visitors and investors."That position puts her at odds with other district councils in the area, who want to see a model with more than one council covering Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils have proposed they form a new authority, because of their "strong demographic and economic similarities" and "significant historical ties".Oxford City Council's leader Susan Brown has said there should be "separate councils for central, northern and southern Oxfordshire together with West Berkshire to reflect our distinct geographies". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Berkshire and Oxfordshire councils to discuss potential unitary
Three councils will discuss the possibility of forming a new unitary authority covering parts of Berkshire and Oxfordshire next Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils have proposed they form a new authority, ahead of the government asking for plans for reorganisation later this initial proposal is titled Ridgeway Council, named after the ancient footpath that cuts through the three council government wants all new unitary authorities to serve about 500,000 residents or more and for every region to have a mayor. The three councils said they have "strong demographic and economic similarities" and "significant historic ties".They think the plan is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" that would deliver high quality services and improve financial Berkshire's leader Jeff Brooks said the plan was an "exciting opportunity to establish a council that is ready for the future – one that works smarter, delivers better outcomes, and strengthens local democracy".David Rouane, South Oxfordshire Council's leader, said it would "provide a strong and effective foundation for the future… while maintaining and enhancing the unique character of our market towns and rural areas".While Bethia Thomas, Vale of White Horse Council's leader, said the authorities' "combined strengths would create a modern and effective local authority that puts people and communities at the heart of strong, health and robust local government, all white providing a firm base for wider regional growth".All of the councils will discuss the plans on 19 March, ahead of a potential submission to government for approval later this changes would be subject to public consultation. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
