Partnership launched between Oxfordshire and Cherwell

Yvonne Rees has started her new role as chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council to mark the long-term partnership between the authority and Cherwell District Council.

Rees, already chief executive of Cherwell District, says that the long-term partnership between the councils will offer long-term opportunities to join up services for residents, reduce the costs of providing services, and secure investment to support the projected growth in homes and jobs.

The much-publicised financial problems at Northamptonshire County Council had implications for Cherwell District Council’s partnership with South Northamptonshire Council. However, using this as an opportunity, the council is now using this as an opportunity to explore closer joint working between Cherwell and the county council.

Partnership arrangements under one chief executive will make joint working more effective and deepen the partnership arrangements, with improving efficiency and customer service set to join up in a similar manner to which the county council’s head of trading standards is now working with officers at Cherwell to support the environmental health and licensing functions.

Rees said: “This is an exciting time to work for two ambitious councils, both committed to improving services for residents and investing in the future of the county. My priority now is to get to know staff across the council so together we can prepare for the changes ahead and become ‘fit for the future’.

“At the same time, I will continue to ensure the separation of Cherwell from South Northamptonshire council is successful and that Cherwell staff can carry on providing great services during this time of change. We’ve had a long and productive partnership that has achieved genuine improvements in services for our residents, as well as saving millions. Whilst we are genuinely sad to be ending this joint partnership, we’ll remain friends. That experience sets us up well for the future.”

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome Yvonne Rees as our new chief executive. This marks the start of a new chapter for the county council as it adapts to future needs in Oxfordshire so we can continue to support our thriving communities. At the same time, I would like to thank our outgoing chief executive, Peter Clark, who has done a tremendous job of steering the county council through some difficult times for local government nationally. There will be a lot of hard work and change for the county council over the next few years, and it is a real tribute to Peter that we can look so confidently to the future.”

“We already have a strong working relationship with Cherwell and this new partnership under a joint chief executive will mean we can improve services for residents and secure more investment in infrastructure to support new jobs and homes.”