The government has announced the outcome of its review into local government reorganisation (LGR).
It has made a new minded-to decision to replace the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with three new unitary councils.
Government has said it is minded-to proceed with decisions in five areas, including ours, but this will be open to further representation and views from council leaders and MPs for approximately three weeks. Following this, an update will be made to parliament on these decisions before Christmas.
The five areas are East-Sussex and Brighton and Hove, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
In Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, the three new councils will be:
- Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings
- North 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 West Berkshire
The new councils are due to go live on 1 April 2029, with elections to the new shadow authorities taking place in May 2028.
In September, the government put local government reorganisation on hold while it reviewed its proposals for new councils across England.
Elections for the new unitaries will take place in May 2028, after which shadow authorities will be created to plan the new councils, but will not deliver services.
On 1 April 2029, the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will end and the three new unitary councils will be created.
The district and unitary council elections in South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will go ahead in May 2027 on the existing council boundaries.
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: "The government has chosen the right proposal for Oxford, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
"Three councils will simplify local government for residents, keep decision-making local, and give Oxford the space to build new homes and create well-paid, secure jobs, while protecting important habitats across our Green Belt
"Alongside yesterday’s announcement of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for the Thames Valley, this is the biggest change to local government in a generation, bringing more powers and funding to the local level.
"Together, these changes could transform our economy and deliver the homes and infrastructure Oxford and the wider area desperately needs."
Find out which new council will serve your community and what this means for your area: 3councils.org.
