STOP!
A STOP! FAQ
Who are the members of STOP! ?
STOP! is currently made up of representatives of six parish councils, together with District and County Councillors from those parts of South Oxfordshire which SEERA has included in its western corridor sub-region. This site is edited by Eye & Dunsden Parish Council Chairman David Woodward. The Chairman of STOP! is SODC Cllr Malcom Leonard
Where will SEERA be based?
SEERA is already in existence in Guildford and costing us all lots of money. In this part of the world we had no opportunity to vote on whether we wanted regional Government: unlike in the North East. Its representatives are not directly elected: they are a mixture of councillors and special interest groups. Its policies have to be approved by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (John Prescott MP), whose Government Office for the South East is also at Guildford.
What is it for?
SEERA makes policy for key areas like planning and development and attempts to influence Government and Europe (it maintains an office at the EU). The full South East Plan takes us into the 2020s and sets targets for things like house building: the publication of the 'sub-regional' policies, which are specific to us, is expected to be approved by the Government this Spring.
Who will staff it?
SEERA's current staff are here - and the list is growing
To whom will they be responsible?
In theory to the non-directly elected assembly. In practice there is some precedent for their deliberations being overturned by the ODPM.
Do they replace OCC or just have the last word?
It seems likely that either Oxfordshire County Council or South Oxfordshire District Council will eventually be abolished.
A government white paper on the regions set out plans for an all unitary authority system some time ago. A new white paper is expected this summer.
What is OCC's role in the affected sub-region?
Cllr Keith Mitchell, Leader of OCC, has taken an active role in SEERA and is Chairman of its Executive Committee. Cllr Ann Ducker, Leader of SODC, is also a member. See membership lists here. OCC's exact role if SODC is abolished has yet to be decided.
What is SODC's role in the affected sub-region?
SODC's powers if OCC is abolished are not clear. The ability to make local plans which set detailed targets for economic development and housing allocation is already being devolved away from local people and SODC, and upwards to SEERA - diluting local democracy, since SEERA members are not directly elected. Individual planning applications may even end up being decided by SEERA. When you need to see a planning officer, Guildford will be a great deal less accessible than SODC offices in Wallingford.
How do split parishes cope?
It isn't about a split of your parish as such. It's just a crudely drawn line on a map that indicates which areas are considered to fall within the western corridor sub-region. On this rough basis policy will increasingly be made for things like planning, transport and future economic development. Our impression is that here in South Oxon the boundary defines those areas thought to fall within Reading's economic/geographic influence. This boundary may enable Reading to make a stronger case to take us over, as they have already tried to do.
How will decisions be discovered and how can they be challenged effectively?
A good question. The opportunities to challenge SEERA are few, especially given its record of having decisions overturned by the ODPM. However as the sub-regional strategy is currently out for consultation, we have a matter of weeks to make our voices heard.
A decision has been made that a parish poll is a particularly effective way of demonstrating grassroots opposition to this new sub-regional boundary. STOP! is also considering other methods, such as directly lobbying members of the various SEERA committees.