THE letter from Cllr Hodgkinson published last week suggests that ‘Coxit’ is “an idea which has been cooked up behind closed doors with no discussion with anyone”.

Puzzled by the Coxit idea, which cuts across the recent devolution proposals of both Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire county councils, I made a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to find out more.

I expected to learn that the idea had been underpinned by some analysis, and informed by background briefing of the Cotswold District Council (CDC) leaders, and the Prime Minister who enthusiastically supported the idea in February. 

But no. Responses from Cotswold District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council say there were no written communications other than one between the two CDC leaders covering a ‘third-party’ document which they have refused to release.

This, I imagine, is the opinion from the Department of Communities and Local Government about whether such a unitary authority is possible. 

So, no analysis or briefing from the council officers or the Chief Executive of CDC/WODC to his leaders. And nothing in writing to the PM. 

It appears that the policy does not even have the benefit of being made up on the back of a fag packet (which by the way would be FOI-able) but has been, just as Cllr Hodgkinson says, “cooked up behind closed doors”. 

Sometimes, FOI reveals information showing up poor administration.

In this case FOI has revealed the dog which did not bark – a lack of information demonstrating due process.

My FOI requests and the responses can be found under my name on Whatdotheyknow.com

ANDREW PARTRIDGE 
Northleach