STORY
Oxford City Council has voiced disappointment after Oxfordshire County Council vetoed a devolution deal which the city council argued could have brought billions of pounds of investment to the Thames Valley. The disagreement has created a major setback for local devolution plans in the area.
Supporters of the deal argued that it would have strengthened local decision-making and helped secure new powers and funding. Opponents raised concerns about governance, accountability and whether the proposed arrangements were right for the county.
The dispute highlights the continuing difficulty of securing agreement between councils on devolution and local governance changes. It also comes as the Government continues to push devolution as part of its wider local growth agenda.