Tomorrow you have the chance to vote in one of the most historic elections in this country for many years.
This is going to be the last County Council election before both County and district Councils are abolished under plans being pushed forward by national government. Elections after this one are most likely to be associated with the new Unitary Authority which will be formed in Oxfordshire, although currently exactly what form that will take is unclear.
The option preferred by the Greens is one of 2 unitaries formed from Cherwell District, West Oxfordshire District and The City Councils with a second one formed around South Oxon and the Vale plus West Berkshire. We feel that would keep decision making as local as possible as well as ensuring that councillors don’t become too remote from the people they represent. The County Council Cabinet recently voted to push forward their preferred option of one huge council across the whole of the County, while the City Council are proposing they form their own Unitary Council by absorbing areas around them such as Kidlington, Yarnton and Begbroke. I would certainly strongly oppose that, as, I believe, would most of the residents in those areas!
The outcome of all these options could largely be driven by those people elected to the County Council tomorrow, so not only is it important to vote because it may be your last opportunity, it’s also doubly important that you get a councillor who is going to represent your views on what your future council may look like.
Of course my advice is to vote Green at least in areas where you already have a Green Councillor such as the two new Divisions in Kidlington which make up nearly 80% of the area I currently represent on the County Council. As I can’t be in 2 places at once I have decided to stand in the new East Division because I am involved in several ongoing issues there, Not least the proposed football stadium and the huge Oxford North development. But my fellow Green Councillor Fiona Mawson is standing in the other part, now called Kidlington West even though 2 thirds of it comprises Yarnton and Begbroke. As the only candidate in this election that actually lives in that new division, I’m hopeful that she will get a good reception from voters.
to show Green and Conservative representation
Currently the whole of the Kidlington East area is represented by me as the County Councillor and by me, Fiona and Linda Ward as District councillors. I’d like to think we’ve done a good job of representing the everyone there, we all certainly work hard to achieve that, so I hope I will receive your support in the East whilst Fiona is elected to replace me in the West.
It’s a rather complicated scenario , especially given that the whole set up is likely to change in 2 or 3 years so neither of us are likely to see out a full term as County Councillors, but in the meantime it’s important that both areas keep consistent Green representation so that work I and Fiona have started on things like ensuring development proposals are beneficial to the area can continue into the next few years, along with our input into the re-shaping of local government over the next 2 years.
However you vote (and I hope it will be Green) do make sure you vote. It may be the only chance you get to make a decision that affects you and your local community for the next few years.
If you need any further information from me or Fiona please let us know. We have knocked on a lot of doors over the past few months, so if we missed you we’d be happy to talk.
Ian Middleton 