It is startling to hear that the County Council wants to abolish Oxford City
Council. I didn't know it has the power to do that.
One of the nicest and most peaceful, altruistic people I know called Oxford
City Council "ruffians". Local residents find time after time that unpopular
schemes are just pushed through, all opposition is ignored and mysterious
inexplicable Labour majorities continue to put the same people back in power.
Facilities are closed. Money is lavished on a few pet voters. Assets are sold
off.
Residents right across the political spectrum have long regarded Oxford City
Council as lamentable. Not long ago the Greens were circulating leaflets full
of vehement protests about it.
But is Oxfordshire County Council any better? I can think of a string of
perverse decisions they have made. Banning buses from the city centre - selling
off schools. And when it comes to matters such as the hospital heat-pipe
scheme, where a firm guiding hand was needed, nobody at all seemed to be in
charge. The hospitals just went ahead, a law unto themselves.
The ideal thing would appear to be both the City and the County Councils
abolishing each other, but is there any hope of that?