THE government has said it will not be taking any decision about proposals for a 'unitary council' in Oxfordshire in the foreseeable future.

The Minister for Local Government has written to the leaders of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils explaining that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is not currently planning to announce a decision any time soon.

In his letter, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP explained that the government will be 'pausing its consideration' for a unitary council while other changes to local government in Oxfordshire are taking place.

Oxfordshire County Council is currently entering into a new partnership with Cherwell District Council after Cherwell’s agreements with South Northamptonshire District Council came to an end as part of the restructuring of local government in Northamptonshire.

The Conservative-led county and district authorities have been pushing plans to join forces and have a single council running everything in Oxfordshire which could save taxpayers' money.

Labour-led Oxford City Council and Conservative Cherwell and West Oxfordshire district councils have all been pushing back against the idea saying it would be bad for democracy.

South Oxfordshire leader Jane Murphy said today: “While we await a decision, we’re doing everything we can to work more closely across Oxfordshire and the minister acknowledged the positive work we’re doing with our partner councils to secure the very best infrastructure to support the housing growth happening in the county.”