Council leader expresses deep concerns for proposed reservoir at busy October Council Meeting
Vale of White Horse District Council’s Leader, Bethia Thomas, reflected on the major topics dominating recent weeks at the October Council meeting, including the proposed Thames Water reservoir, the status of the Joint Local Plan and Local Government Reorganisation at the busy meeting on Wednesday 22 October.
In her Leader’s statement, Cllr Bethia Thomas, expressed her deep concerns for the reservoir. She said: “Tonight’s motion, brought to us in a cross party proposal, voices our strong concerns – not just for the reservoir, the supposed need for it and the potential damage it will have on our district – but for the hugely inflated costs that we are now seeing come out of this proposal – costs that have escalated and are already spiralling out of control, with increases in capital construction costs from an estimated £2.2 billion to three times that amount, and this I am sure is not the last of it.”
Cllr Thomas also emphasised that positive work continues on the Joint Local Plan, reassuring communities that the council is in a strong position on Planning matters despite a recent letter from inspectors recommending the plan be withdrawn from examination. Cllr Thomas expressed confidence in the council’s ability to find its way and explore the options, saying, “the Local Plan is exceptional and full of innovative policies which will continue to shape the district. I want to reassure everyone that the council is taking all reasonable steps to ensure that future development in the areas remains sustainable, appropriate and well-planned.”
The council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation of a two unitary model made up of Ridgeway and Oxford & Shires Councils will be discussed at the next Council meeting. Cllr Thomas stated that the emerging plan is a “strong, positive, cost-effective proposal that meets the government’s criteria and protects and enhances what’s great about our communities.”
Government funding of local councils remains unpredictable and budgets continue to come under significant financial pressure. However, the council is running a tight financial ship it was reported at the meeting as Council discussed finances. Council approved the treasury management outturn report 2024/25.
Read the full Leader’s report on the council’s news pages.
Further funding for Decarbonisation Projects at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre and Wantage Leisure Centre was approved at the meeting, alongside a focus on the Treasury status, scrutiny functions and partner committee updates.
The award of the Waste Collection and Street Cleansing Contract and Haseley Trading Estate waste vehicle depot were considered.
Council considered one motion on the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) and discussed, amongst other issues, the emergence of much higher costs for the development.
Capital construction costs have increased so far from an estimated £2.2 billion to three times that amount.
Cllr Thomas will request that The Secretary of State directs Thames Water to prepare a new Water Resource Management Plan in the light of the significant change in costs, alongside writing to all the MPs representing parts of the Vale of the White Horse urging them to support the request. The council will continue arguing for the consideration of the alternative scheme, the Severn Trent Transfer, with passion and conviction. Council unanimously approved the motion.
Questions raised at Council included a request for a change to Planning Enforcement’s Triage Harm Assessment Form to further protect biodiversity and the consideration of a constitutional change to the planning process for exceptional circumstances where changes to material planning considerations arise.
Full details of the meeting are available here. You can also view details the questions to council here.
Ends
