Residents, businesses and community groups are being invited to have their say on proposals to reorganise local government and create a Greater Oxford Council.
The government has asked councils across England for proposals on simplifying the structure of local government in their regions.
In March, Oxford City Council put forward outline proposals that would see Oxfordshire’s six councils abolished and replaced with three new councils:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its Green Belt
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts
- Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with existing West Berkshire unitary (based on the proposals being developed by those councils, but with those villages within the Green Belt closest to the city becoming part of Greater Oxford)
All three councils would have natural geographic and demographic connections, local accountability to residents, and would be viable under the government’s plans.
Today (1 July), Oxford City Council launched an online survey and a series of drop-in events across Oxfordshire to hear from residents across the whole area on key issues in the proposals.
They are an opportunity to help shape the final proposals for local government reorganisation, which will be submitted to the government in November.
Survey
The online survey can be found on Oxford City Council’s consultation portal.
Anyone in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with an interest in how local government works – including residents, business and community groups – is invited to take part.
The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete.
Drop-in events
The drop-in events will take place across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire:
- Oxford Town Hall in Oxford between 12pm and 3pm on 8 July
- Newbury Market in Newbury between 11am and 2pm on 10 July
- The Merry Bells in Wheatley between 10am and 1pm on 11 July
- Kennington Village Hall in Kennington between 12pm and 3pm on 15 July
- The Berin Centre in Berinsfield between 10am and 1pm on 16 July
- Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre in Witney between 12pm and 3pm on 18 July
- Seacourt Hall in Botley between 3pm and 6pm on 22 July
- Market Place in Abingdon between 4pm and 7pm on 24 July
- Exeter Hall in Kidlington between 4pm and 7pm on 28 July
- Berro Lounge in Didcot between 4pm and 7pm on 29 July
- Castle Quay in Banbury between 3pm and 6pm on 31 July
Greater Oxford proposals
Oxford City Council is proposing to form a new council to serve Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
The council – known as Greater Oxford Council – would be responsible for all services currently provided by Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
The proposal would bring local decisions under one roof and closer to the people they affect.
This would help the new council build more affordable homes, provide new bus connections, protect green spaces and enhance biodiversity, and create new, secure jobs for our children and grandchildren.
Oxford City Council carried out an initial survey on the proposals in February, which found 82% think the current two-tier local government arrangements could be improved, and 67% think councils should not be too large, so they can better meet the needs of local residents.
You can find out more about the Greater Oxford proposals by visiting greateroxford.org.
Other proposals
There are three proposals being developed for how local government in Oxfordshire should be reorganised.
Alongside the Greater Oxford proposals, there are also proposals to replace Oxfordshire’s six councils with:
- Two Councils:
- Oxford and Shires Council – comprising all of the existing district areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
- Ridgeway Council – comprising all of the existing district areas of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, and the whole of West Berkshire Council’s area
- One council covering Oxfordshire County Council’s current boundaries
Next steps
Following the public engagement, Oxford City Council will draw up its final Greater Oxford proposals, which will be submitted to the Government in November.
The final decision on local government reorganisation across England, including in Oxford and Oxfordshire, will be made by the Government in 2026.
New councils are expected to be created in 2028.
Comment
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to simplify the way local government works in Oxfordshire. The last time this happened was in 1974.
“We think our three unitary proposal is the best option for the whole area. This would bring local decisions under one roof and closer to the people they affect.
“It would also enable us to build more affordable homes, provide new bus connections, protect green spaces, and create new, secure jobs for our children and grandchildren.
“But proposals can always be improved with new ideas and voices, so please have your say by visiting our drop-in sessions or taking part in our online survey.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
Rate this page
