A review looking into options for an "ambitious devolution deal" in Oxfordshire will take place as planned despite concerns from Oxfordshire County Council.

Yesterday seven district councils appointed advisors Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to carry out the study, meeting stakeholders and partners across the area to understand their issues and views.

Richard Parker, a partner at the firm, said: “We are delighted to be working with the seven councils on this important piece of work.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-examine how best to serve the needs of the people in the area.”

The study has been jointly commissioned by Oxfordshire’s five district councils - Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire District Councils, and Oxford City Council - alongside the Cotswold and South Northamptonshire District Councils.

The study is expected to be completed by the end of June. It will cost somewhere below £15,000 per council.

Despite being urged to get around the table by other districts, Oxfordshire County Council has elected to pursue its own study it says will be "open, transparent and without preconditions".

County leaders have stated they will only join the study when assured it will be "fair, even handed and independent so that all parties can fully co-operate and have confidence in these findings which have such importance for the people of Oxfordshire".

Councillor Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District ouncil, said on behalf of the leaders of all the commissioning authorities: “We ask all our partners, including Oxfordshire County Council, to work with us and engage in the work, so that we can best serve the people of Oxfordshire.”