Politics & Council · Oxford
Government proposes radical shake-up of Oxfordshire council structure
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Ministers have announced a fresh 'minded-to' decision to replace the existing seven councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with three new unitary authorities by 2029.
The government has revealed plans to overhaul local government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, confirming a new 'minded-to' decision that could see the current seven councils replaced by three unitary authorities. The move forms part of a wider review of local government reorganisation, with final decisions expected to be made by the government before Christmas.
Under the proposals, the region would be reorganised into three distinct bodies:
Greater Oxford Council: Covering the city of Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
North Oxfordshire Council: Replacing most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts.
Ridgeway Council: Combining most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts with West Berkshire.
The transition process is scheduled to span several years, with the new councils expected to go live on 1 April 2029. Before that, elections for shadow authorities are planned for May 2028. These bodies will be tasked with the planning and preparation for the new structures, although they will not take over the delivery of front-line services until the vesting date in 2029.
The announcement has met with stiff resistance from the current leadership at Oxfordshire County Council. Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of the Council, expressed deep disappointment at the proposal, citing significant concerns regarding the potential impact on public service delivery, costs, and accountability. The county council has previously engaged in legal action regarding earlier proposals, and officials have indicated they are currently reviewing their position to decide on further appropriate steps.
Councillor Bearder criticised the government's approach, stating: 'We still cannot understand the government's rationale as the economic and service delivery case is so clearly in favour of delivery at the current scale. We believe a single Oxfordshire council offers the strongest foundation for financially sustainable services, clear accountability and effective working across the county.'
The government is now entering a three-week consultation period, inviting representations from council leaders and interested parties. Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed it will use this window to present its case against the split. In the meantime, current councillors will continue in their roles until the existing councils are formally dissolved on 1 April 2029.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original