Lib Dem MPs support combined authority plan

Five of Oxfordshire's Liberal Democrat MPs have written to the Deputy Prime Minister to express their support to join forces with two other councils in a devolution deal.

The MPs say they believe a combined authority with Berkshire and Buckinghamshire "is in the best interests of local residents and the local economy."

The five MPs say the option makes sense as it would allow the area to build on existing services and partnerships

It comes ahead of a meeting later between Oxfordshire County Council, its district councils and Berkshire and Swindon councils.

The deal could see the three Thames Valley councils combine to form a new strategic authority with an elected mayor.

The government announced proposals to abolish district councils and introduce large mayoral combined authorities as part of a devolution white paper.

The five MPs, Layla Moran, Olly Glover, Charlie Maynard, Freddie Van Mierlo and Calum Miller, said they had also written to the leader of Oxfordshire County Council to outline their view.

On local council reorganisation the MPs said they were also supporting an all Oxfordshire unitary rather than what they called a "greater Oxford" plan they say would carve up the county.

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