Greens back Oxford unitary authority

Oxfordshire Green Party have backed calls for Oxford to become a unitary authority claiming it could save £4m per annum; money that could be directed towards providing much needed affordable housing.

The Greens also backed the last bid for Oxford to become a unitary - in 2007 - when it was refused by the then Labour Government.

Says City Green Group leader Cllr Craig Simmons: "Although the exact sums will have to be worked out, when the last bid was made in 2007, it was estimated that more than £4m could be saved from devolving services down to local authorities across the County. This is a significant sum that could go some way towards providing much needed affordable housing in Oxford and the surrounding area."

Say County Green Group Leader, David Williams: "We backed Oxford's bid to become a unitary authority in 2007 when it was turned down by Labour. We will back any future bid regardless of which Government wins at the next General Election."