Once in a generation decision - Your chance to have a say on the future of local services
The government have launched a consultation on options for the shape of councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The last time a change of this scale happened was over 50 years ago so this decision will have a significant impact to everyone in the district for many years.
What is changing?
The government are scrapping the current district and county councils and replacing them with new ‘unitary’ councils. Unitary councils deliver all council services under one roof.
What are the proposals?
The government asked the existing councils to develop proposals for them to consider. There were three proposals submitted to government:
- A single county unitary council that covers all of Oxfordshire.
- Two unitary councils that cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. One covering the existing council areas of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire. One covering the existing council areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
- Three unitary councils that cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. One covering the existing Oxford City council area but with expanded boundaries. One covering the remaining existing council areas of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire. One covering the remaining existing council areas of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
What do the current councils think is the best option?
Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire and West Oxfordshire councils overwhelmingly support the two unitary option. 142 out of 158 councillors in attendance at those councils voted to support submitting the two unitary proposal including councillors from all political parties.
Oxfordshire County Council support their single unitary proposal and Oxford City Council support their three unitary proposal.
Find out more about the benefits of the two unitary proposal
Why are we supporting the two unitary option?
The benefits of the two-unitary proposal are:
- Delivering better services: The proposal responds to what residents, businesses and public sector partners say needs improving, from highways maintenance and social care to planning.
- The best financial outcomes: Delivers significant potential savings (£59.8m annually) and carries the lowest financial risk of all three proposals, helping to protect key services, avoid cuts and ensure long-term stability across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
- Creates councils more responsive to their communities: Keeps councils close to all local communities and tailored to their specific needs, ensuring strong local accountability and representation.
- Boosting both rural and urban economies: Drives fast-paced, sustainable economic growth across Oxford, market towns and rural areas, creating more jobs, better transport and the right homes in the right places.
- Minimises the risk of splitting county services: With West Berkshire as part of our proposal it limits the impact of splitting county services. The payback between the single unitary and two unitary is very similar.
Find out more about why we are supporting this here
How to take part in the consultation
The government are running a consultation from 5 February to 26 March 2026. Residents can respond to this consultation to give their views. We would strongly encourage everyone to have a say because this decision will affect all council services for potentially decades to come.
Take part in the government consultation here
What will happen next?
The government have said a decision would be taken on which structure to put in place before the government summer recess this year. This will likely be June or July. They have then indicated new councils would come into effect from 2028 at which point the current councils would cease to exist.
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