Sir – The plan for West Oxfordshire District Council to share staff and services with councils in Gloucestershire is surely misconceived.
Across a whole range of provision — transport, jobs, health, economic development, planning — we look towards Oxford, not westward across the county boundary.
If the move goes ahead we will have some council staff miles away from the district trying to work with colleagues in the rest of Oxfordshire.
Future governments, of either party, seem intent on devolving resources and power to city-based regions — which will make the proposed collaboration even less sensible.
By all means let us find efficiencies by working together with other councils — but with our natural partners, not ones with whom we have little in common.
If we don’t, the new structure will just have to be unpicked eventually, causing more cost and disruption.
Chris Johnson, Witney
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