Council criticised for 'freebies' in devolution bid

Residents in the "Greater Oxford" area will be able to use facilities including Ferry Leisure Centre

A council has been criticised for handing out "freebies" to gain support for its proposal to create a new authority.

Oxford City Council has put forward plans to form "Greater Oxford", which would incorporate villages like Kidlington, Cumnor and Wheatley.

As part of it promotion for the reorganisation, the authority announced free leisure centre passes to residents in the proposed "Greater Oxford" area.

A county councillor has accused the council of offering the passes to "entice" residents.

The city council previously said the offer was designed for residents in surrounding villages to "experience Oxford's leisure offer now", as normally only Oxford residents can access these benefits.

Oxfordshire's existing councils are due to be replaced by one, two or three councils, under the government's plans to shake up local authorities.

Each council will submit its preferred option in November, but the government has final say.

The city council is backing a three-council option, which would include "Greater Oxford" council.

Five councils - West Berkshire, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire - have backed a plan for two new unitary authorities covering Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

Meanwhile Oxfordshire County Council is supporting proposals for a single unitary for Oxfordshire.

A "Greater Oxford" authority would follow the lines of Oxford's green belt

Councillor Tim Bearder, who represents Wheatley on the county council and sits on South Oxfordshire District Council, said the offer of leisure centre passes was "bizarre".

He said: "People do not get to take a decision on this. What we ought to be doing is working towards a well-evidenced business case looking at the practicalities of this.

"It should not be about offering freebies to residents to entice them. It should be based around how we deliver services."

'Adapt to local needs'

Leader of the city council Susan Brown said: "We think councils are most effective when they are smaller and closer to the people they serve, enabling them to respond and adapt more easily to local needs.

"We agree Oxford has a strong leisure offer, which includes free swimming for under 17s and heavily discounted leisure centre membership for people on qualifying benefits."

None of the existing councils have the authority to introduce leisure benefits on behalf of a future council.